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*MAY 2025*

In this issue:

* Environmental Finance Center Offers Free Technical Assistance. [ #link_1389912064779 ]
* Legislative Update - $50,000,000 Water Quality Bond – Public Hearing Held. [ #link_1389912066563 ]
* Free Cybersecurity and Tabletop Exercise for Maine POTWs. [ #link_3 ]
* Paris Utilities District to Exit CSO Program. [ #link_1 ]
* Certification and Training Update. [ #link_1389912070779 ]
* EPA National Water and Wastewater Sector Cybersecurity Drill. [ #link_4 ]
* DMR-QA- 2025 Preview. [ #link_2 ]
* For Practice. [ #link_1389912072571 ]

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Environmental Finance Center Offers Free Technical Assistance.

If you are a small, coastal or inland community looking to optimize your wastewater process for nutrient removal (nitrogen and/or phosphorus compounds), you may be eligible for FREE technical assistance offered by Nick Willis of the Environmental Finance Center (EFC).

Nick Willis, Senior Program Manager of the EFC at Wichita State University, is a Professional Engineer and operator who has assisted over 140 wastewater treatment plants in reducing nutrients to meet permit limits across New England and the Midwest. Nick recently taught Nutrient Optimizations classes at the North Country Convention (NCC) in Presque Isle and Wastewater Process Control and Troubleshooting in Bangor.

Nick’s assistance includes receiving operational data prior to the site visit, meeting with operational staff onsite to understand the issues, and following up with recommendations via email and phone. He is currently scheduling visits through the fall of 2026.

If you are interested in finding out more about the types of services offered, please email Nicholas Willis, Senior Program Manager, EFC at Wichita State University, [email protected].

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Legislative Update - $50,000,000 Water Quality Bond – Public Hearing Held.

The Department of Environmental Protection has submitted a Department bill for a $50,000,000 bond that would provide grants to publicly owned treatment works for infrastructure projects facilitating proper management and disposal of wastewater sludge or biosolids, such as dryer and digestor projects.  The bill is LD 25, "An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue to Fund Wastewater Treatment Facility Planning and Construction of Infrastructure Projects.  "The intent of the bill is to address current concerns with state sludge disposal capacity.  The bill can be tracked here under LD 25:  [link removed]

A public hearing on LD 25 was held on April 10, 2025, by the Appropriations and Financial Affairs (AFA) Committee:  [link removed]

The Department, along with several other entities, testified in support of the bill.  The legislative website above for LD 25 currently contains 27 testimony submissions in support of the bill. 

The Department has discussed this bill with MeWEA, MWUA, and MRWA and we expect these associations will be reaching out to their members and other partners to promote this important bill and garner support via submittal of testimony to the AFA Committee and contact with your local legislative representatives.

Typically, there are many bond requests in each legislative session and only a few are approved by the legislature.  Currently there are a total of 18 bond requests before the legislature.  The next step in the process will be work sessions held by the AFA Committee to deliberate on LD 25, and the other bond bills.  Each of these will then be voted on by the AFA Committee.  A unanimous vote of “ought to pass” from the AFA Committee would strengthen the possibility of LD 25 being passed by the full legislature.

Those bonds bills that are approved by the full legislature must then go to the voters for final approval.  Voter approval for bonds is typically in November.  If approved by the voters, the Department intends to solicit proposals for funding in early 2026 along with the annual CWSRF request for proposals. 

Questions on this issue should be directed to Brian Kavanah, Director of the Bureau of Water Quality, [email protected] , 530-0293.

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Free Cybersecurity and Tabletop Exercise for Maine POTWs.

Computer image with cyber security heading

Maine DEP and the Environmental Finance Center (EFC) are excited to announce FREE, in-person Cybersecurity and Tabletop Exercise training for Maine POTWs at two locations; May 20, 2025 in Portland and May 22 in Hampden.

The training is open to all POTWs, regardless of size, and their IT staff. It is approved for 6.0 hours of Wastewater Training Contact Hours (TCHs) by the Maine DEP. The course will run from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Lunch is on your own.

Cyber-attacks against public water & wastewater systems are increasing. This training event will introduce participants to cybersecurity tactics, vulnerabilities, common cyberattack methods, and the physical security aspects of cybersecurity. This 6-hour training event will include a tabletop exercise designed to engage facilities in discussions that examine their current cyber-resilience. Goals of the training are to raise awareness among utility workers, superintendents, officials, and IT staff about the current threat of cyberattacks facing wastewater facilities.

The course will be taught by Daviel Botello and John Colclazier of the EFC located at Wichita State University.

To register, go to the link for the date and location below:

May 20 | Portland, Maine [ [link removed] ] 

May 22 | Hampden, Maine [ [link removed] ]

Questions? Contact John Colclazier, [email protected].



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Paris Utilities District to Exit CSO Program.

Paris Utilities District (PUD) is now the fifteenth Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) permittee to complete their CSO abatement program and exit the CSO program, and the second to do so in 2025.

PUD, which serves the communities of South Paris and Paris, Maine, began their abatement program in August of 1995 when the sewer system was averaging approximately 1,000,000 gallons of CSO discharge per year. During their 30-year CSO abatement program PUD used sewer separation, sewer and manhole replacement and relining, and I/I removal projects to remove excess water from its sewer system while also upgrading its treatment plant to accept more flow.

The only discharge PUD has had in the past twelve years was the result of a 50-year storm with six inches of rainfall in December 2023. As part of their Post-Construction Monitoring Phase and exit from the CSO program PUD has converted their sole CSO outfall to a licensed emergency overflow. The Department congratulates PUD on this impressive achievement!

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Certification and Training Update.

Training artwork image

*NEWEA Spring Meeting **May 11-14, 2025 in Portland*

This year’s NEWEA Spring Meeting will be held at the Holiday Inn by the Bay in Portland. This three-day annual technical meeting for water quality professionals will feature:


* Networking with colleagues
* Learning the latest trends in technical sessions and visiting the exhibition hall
* Earn Training Contact Hours (TCHs)

Join 300 engineers, consultants, scientists, operators, and students for technical sessions, exhibit displays, networking opportunities, Operations Challenge and more.

Go to this link to register: NEWEA Spring Meeting - NEWEA Spring Meeting [ [link removed] ].

*Hands-on Manhole Repair*

MWUA is presenting a Hands-on Manhole Repair class at three locations in May:


* May 15, 2025: Brunswick & Topsham Water District, 266 River Rd, Topsham
* May 22, 2025: Bangor Water District, 614 State St, Bangor
* May 29, 2025: Houlton Water Company, 21 Bangor St., Houlton

The course will focus on the leading causes of inflow and infiltration (I&I) in wastewater systems (primarily manholes and vaults), emphasizing the role of advanced sealing technologies in creating watertight manhole structures, including manhole chimneys, barrel joints, and frames and covers, with insights into approaches for addressing problems from both the inside and outside of the manhole structure.

The course is approved for 4 wastewater TCHs. Register at MWUA’s website or by call us at 207-623-9511.

*Hands-on Lab Training for Water and Wastewater Operators*

Join MWUA and Phyllis Rand for this Hands-on lab training taught at three locations throughout Maine!

This class will provide water and wastewater operators with hands-on experience performing certain drinking water and wastewater compliance tests/calculations and basic laboratory safety training. Compliance tests include BOD5, Solids, pH, Total Residual Chlorine, Free Chlorine, E. coli (IDEXX), Total and Fecal Coliforms (IDEXX), Fluoride, Settleable Solids and Quality Control for Lab Analyses and Analytical Equipment. Proper sampling procedures are included with this training. Lab Safety Training will include Chemical Hygiene, Electrical Safety in the Lab, Autoclave and Fume Hood Safety, Safe Storage of Combustibles and Lab Safety Best Practices.

Locations:


* June 3, 2025: Southern Maine
* June 4, 2025: Greater Augusta Utility District’s Treatment Plant, 33 Jackson St, Augusta
* June 5, 2025: Presque Isle Utilities District, 870 Skyway St, Presque Isle

The class is approved for 6 wastewater TCHs. Register at MWUA’s website or by call us at 207-623-9511. Register early as these classes are limited to 20 attendees.

*Save the Date for Lagoon Day!*

MRWA is planning Lagoon Day for early June. The exact time and location are being finalized.

Lagoon Day offers a day of tours, training, and networking for lagoon operators to come together and share their experiences, successes and issues. Keep an eye on MRWA’s Events page for further details, Events - Maine Rural Water Association [ [link removed] ].

*Upcoming EPA Cybersecurity Training – Free!*

Join EPA and cybersecurity experts from CISA for these free online webinars.


* Cybersecurity Refresher, May 28, 2025, 1-2 PM, Cybersecurity Refresher | US EPA [ [link removed] ].
* Cybersecurity 102, May 29, 2025, 1-2:30 PM, Cybersecurity 102 | US EPA [ [link removed] ].
* Cybersecurity 103, June 10, 2025, 1-2:30 PM, Cybersecurity 103 | US EPA [ [link removed] ]
* Water Cybersecurity Assessment Tool (WCAT), June 11, 2025, 1-3:30 PM, Water Cybersecurity Assessment Tool (WCAT) | US EPA [ [link removed] ].

Attendees are eligible for TCHs by getting a Certificate of Completion and sending to Aiden Aubrey, Aiden [email protected].



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EPA National Water and Wastewater Sector Cybersecurity Drill.

Is your water or wastewater system prepared to function manually due to a cyberattack? Have you practiced manual operations in the last year? EPA’s Water Infrastructure and Cyber Resilience Division is hosting a National Water and Wastewater Sector Cybersecurity Drill to help facilities test their preparedness for a cybersecurity incident.

The 2-hour drill will take place on May 27 from 1-3 pm EST and include two options for participants:

_Option 1._ _Manual Operations_. Practice_ _running a portion of your system in manual operations (before or during the drill). At the drill, discuss questions, lessons learned, and updates to your IRP/ERP. *Note: Utilities that practice manual operations will receive a certificate from EPA.

_Option 2._ _Interactive Tabletop Exercise_. Participate in a scenario-driven discussion regarding response to a significant cybersecurity incident that affects a system's operational technology.

Prior to the drill on April 29 from 1-2 pm, EPA will host a 1-hour Cybersecurity Drill Informational Session, designed specifically for systems interested in testing transition to manual operations. Water and wastewater operations subject matter experts will be available to answer questions and provide assistance on how to test manual operations.

To register for the April 29 Informational Session, go to: Informational Session Registration [ [link removed] ].

To register for the May 27 Cybersecurity Drill, go to: Drill Registration [ [link removed] ].

Questions? Email Paige Bateman, GDIT (EPA Contractor) at [email protected].

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DMR-QA- 2025 Preview.

As of the writing of this article, Maine DEP has not received an update from EPA on the schedule for the 2025 DMR-QA program. Based on previous years, we expect the opening date to be in May or June.  

All facilities enrolled in the DMR-QA program will receive an email from EPA announcing the opening of the study, along with an announcement letter. Please review the letter carefully as it contains important forms that must be filled out along with due dates for results. Be sure to check your email spam folder periodically as the announcement email from EPA may end up there.

If your facility is enrolled in the DMR-QA program and does not receive the announcement letter by the end of May, contact the Maine DEP NetDMR coordinator to get a copy. of the announcement letter.  You can also go to the EPA website, [link removed] to download the letter when available.

You do not need to wait until you receive the letter to order your DMR-QA supplies and begin analysis of the samples. Make sure that you choose DMR-QA and/or Water Pollution (WP) studies that are valid during the DMR-QA study period, typically January 1st through July or August, actual dates will be listed in the EPA announcement letter.

If you have any questions or need to update your contact information, please contact Brett Goodrich at [email protected] or call (207) 450-5590.

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For Practice.

1. The common detention time in a primary clarifier is:

A. 30 minutes
B. 1 hour
C. 2 hours
D. 4 hours

2. If an operator notices sludge floating on the primary clarifier, it probably means:

A. There is too much oxygen in the wastewater
B. Too much sludge is being removed
C. There is not enough detention time
D. Not enough sludge is being removed

3. If a treatment plant receives a flow of 2 MGD and a BOD concentration of 157 mg/L, how many pounds of BOD enters the treatment plant?

A. 2619 Pounds
B. 2713 Pounds
C. 2819 Pounds
D. 2918 Pounds

4. Disease producing bacteria are called:

A. Parasites
B. Coliforms
C. Saprophytes
D. Pathogens

5. Which of the pH readings indicate an acidic wastewater?

A. 3
B. 7
C. 9
D. 11

6. One mg/L is equivalent to:

A. One ml/L
B. One oz per gallon
C. One cc per liter
D. One part per million

7. Your pump pumped for 24 hours and pumped 302,400 gallons. The capacity of the pump is:

A. 110 gpm
B. 200 gpm
C. 210 gpm
D. 310 gpm

8. If it is determined that a chlorine dose of 1.2 mg/L would be proper disinfection on an effluent, then how many pounds of chlorine would be needed to treat a flow of 3,600,000 gpd?

A. 3.6 lbs
B. 10 lbs
C. 20 lbs
D. 36 lbs

9. In an activated sludge process, what would contribute to a higher oxygen demand?

A. Decrease in pH
B. An increase in BOD to the aeration tank
C. A decrease in BOD to the aeration tank
D. A decrease in microorganisms

10. If the sludge in the secondary clarifier is septic, this could be caused by:

A. Too high of a return sludge rate
B. Too low of a return sludge rate
C. Too high of a hydraulic load
D. Too much septic tank waste

*Answers*

1. C.
2. D.
3. A. 2 MGD X 157 mg/L X 8.34 = 2619 pounds.
4. D.
5. A.
6. D.
7. C.
8. D. Change flow to MGD, then use the pounds formula: 3.6 MGD X 1.2 mg/L X 8.34 = 36 pounds.
9. B.
10. B.

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