Drinking Water Section

Latest News
Thursday, March 14, 2019 Seasonal System Start-up Requirements- Circular Letter 2019-07 - Seasonal public water systems are required to complete a start-up procedure prior to serving the public at the beginning of each operating season. Monday, February 25, 2019 2019 Sanitary Survey Lists Posted – Please visit the DWS Sanitary Survey webpage for the 2019 sanitary survey lists for Community and Non-Community Public Water Systems. Sanitary surveys are conducted every 3 years for Community PWS and every 5 years for Non-Community PWS. In addition to the lists of PWS to be surveyed this calendar year, useful tips including how to prepare for the upcoming survey, a link to the 2019 Community PWS Sanitary Survey Capacity Questionnaire and other helpful compliance reminders are posted on this page. To access this page, click on “Sanitary Surveys” on the “Information for Public Water Systems” link. Friday, February 22, 2019 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Draft Amendment #2 to the SFY 2019 Intended Use Plan The Drinking Water Section is proposing to amend the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) State Fiscal Year 2019 Annual Intended Use Plan. To view the IUP documents please visit the DWSRF webpage. Friday, February 15, 2019 THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY RELEASES ITS PFAS ACTION PLAN: The EPA released the Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Action Plan on February 14, 2019. The Drinking Water Section is currently reviewing the Action Plan to identify impacts to public drinking water systems and adjust the DWS Strategy as needed. The Drinking Water Section continues to implement a multi-faceted strategy - DPH DWS PFAS Strategy Summary to protect public health from potential contamination of public drinking water supplies by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The DWS sent Circular Letter 2019-03 as a reminder to all public water systems that serve over 1,000 individuals to complete their source water vulnerability assessment. The Circular Letter was sent with standardized spreadsheets (Source Water PFAS Vul. Assmt. Form) developed by the CT Section of the American Water Works Source Protection Committee for use by all PWS subject to this requirement. Friday, February 15, 2019 Circular Letter 2019-05 - New England Get the Lead Out Summit: regarding Creative Strategies for Replacing Lead Lines Free Workshop, Westborough, MA Join EPA and our partners to learn about innovative steps communities and water utilities are taking to support lead line replacement projects and other actions to mitigate lead in drinking water. Tuesday, January 29, 2019 The Drinking Water Section is announcing the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) Call for Projects for State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2020. Please refer to the “Call for Projects, Review and Ranking of Projects” page for more details. New for 2020: We have developed information and application forms for the new Small Loan Program for projects with a total cost less than $100,000. Please visit the dedicated webpage for more information. For emergency generator projects under $100,000, please refer to the Emergency Power Generator Program page. Wednesday, January 16, 2019 New Fiscal and Asset Management Plan Requirement for Small Community Water Systems – Hydropneumatic Storage Tank Assessment due May 2, 2019 The DPH has developed a new web page dedicated to Capacity Development topics and resources for Small Water Systems. The new Webpage discusses the new Fiscal and Asset Management Plan requirement for small community PWS. Additionally, the Hydropneumatic Storage Tank Fiscal and Asset Assessment Form is now available, with instructions and a Hydropneumatic Storage Tank Fact Sheet. The prioritized Hydropneumatic Storage Tank Assessment is due to be completed by small community water systems with hydropneumatic tanks as part of their water system by May 2, 2019. To help small water better meet the new requirements, DPH has partnered with the Environmental Finance Center Network, Inc. on a 4-part webinar series for small community water systems. The last webinar in the series, scheduled to broadcast on February 13, 2019 from 3-4 pm EST, will focus on the hydropneumatic storage tank assessment requirement. Links to the webinars are included on the new webpage. Please refer to Circular Letter DWS 2019-01 or contact Mandy Smith at Mandy.Smith@ct.gov or 860-509-7796 for more information. Tuesday, December 11, 2018 Circular Letter 2018-29 - Prompt Electronic Reporting and Transition to the Compliance Monitoring Data Portal The Department of Public Health Drinking Water Section (DWS) is requesting that public water systems and Certified Laboratories report various acute parameters within 24 hours of validated data.; As part of this initiative we are completing the transition to the Compliance Monitoring Data Portal (CMDP). The DWS is setting a transition deadline of February 1, 2019 and the current EDI reporting format and protocols will be discontinued.; Please refer to Circular Letter 2018-29 for more information or contact Christopher Roy or Robert Baran at (860) 509-7333. Monday, December 3, 2018 Circular Letter 2018-28 - PFAS UPDATE GenX and PFBS Circular Letter 2018-28 was sent to all Public Water Systems, Chief Elected Official, Certified Operators and Local Health Directors with updates from the EPA. Two draft toxicity assessments have been released for public comment under docket number EPA-HQ-OW-2018-0614 and is available for comment at regulations.gov until January 19, 2019 (60 days after posting). There has also been an update to EPA Method 537.1 (Drinking Water Analytical Method for PFAS) to include testing for four additional PFAS chemicals; finally the Master List of PFAS R&D (by chemical) has been updated to reflect the addition of several PFAS to the Drinking Water Treatability Database. Friday, November 16, 2018 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Amendment #1 to the SFY 2019 Intended Use Plan now Final The DPH has amended the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) Program's SFY 2019 Annual Intended Use Plan (IUP). To view the IUP documents go to the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund page and click on Call for Projects, Review and Ranking of Projects and scroll down to the section titled Intended Use Plan and Project Priority List. Friday, November 16, 2018 Circular Letter 2018-27 was sent to all community water systems (CWS) serving less than 10,000 persons reminding them of the regulatory requirement to have back-up generator(s) installed no later than December 17,2018. The DPH offers subsidized loans for generator systems through the Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (DWSRF) Emergency Power Generator Program (EPGP) if financial assistance is needed to comply with this requirement. A 12 month extension is being offered to CWS that need financing for their generator installation and submit a EPGP Eligibility Application to the Drinking Water Section no later than December 17, 2018. Friday, November 2, 2018 Circular Letter 2018-27 was sent to all community water systems (CWS) serving less than 10,000 persons reminding them of the regulatory requirement to have back-up generator(s) installed no later than December 17,2018. The DPH offers subsidized loans for generator systems through the Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (DWSRF) Emergency Power Generator Program (EPGP) if financial assistance is needed to comply with this requirement. A 12 month extension is being offered to CWS that need financing for their generator installation and submit a EPGP Eligibility Application to the Drinking Water Section no later than December 17, 2018. Monday, October 22, 2018 Presentation - Resiliency, Public Health and Drinking Water, Yale University School of Architecture October 16, 2018 Lori J. Mathieu, Public Health Section Chief, Drinking Water Section Thursday, October 4, 2018 Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances The Drinking Water Section has issued two Circular Letters to update public water systems on the most recent developments regarding Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances or PFAS. Circular Letter #2018-19 contains information for all public water systems regarding the State's Drinking Water Action Level, monitoring requirements for proposed sources of public drinking water supply and resources available for public water systems. Monday, October 1, 2018 The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority and the Department of Public Health's Joint Report on Streamlining the Takeover Process The Public Utility Regulatory Authority (Authority) and the Department of Public Health (DPH) are issuing this report in order to develop a more efficient process for the takeover of water companies pursuant to Conn. Gen. Stats. §§16-46 and 16-262n through 16-262q. Friday, August 3, 2018 CWS serving less than 10,000 people - Generator Requirements The Department would like to remind community water systems (CWS) regarding the generator requirements under amendments made to Regulations of Connecticut Agencies § 19-13-B102 in December 2015. The Generator Regulations require all CWSs (not regulated by the PURA) to have and maintain generators or Department-approved alternative sources of backup power capable of providing sufficient power to supply the power demands of the CWS at each of the CWS's facility locations. By December 23, 2018, CWS serving less than 10,000 people are required to have installed and maintained a generator or Department-approved alternative source of backup power. Please refer to Circular Letter;2018-23;for more information or contact Michael Hage at (860) 509-7333 or michael.hage@ct.gov. Friday, July 27, 2018 Public Act 18-168 - New Asset and Fiscal Management Plan Requirements, Hydropneumatic Tank Requirement, Civil Penalties Revision The Department would like to make all community public water systems aware of new, upcoming requirements regarding asset and fiscal management plans, hydropneumatic tanks, and revisions to civil penalties as a result of Public Act 18-168. Asset and Fiscal Management (does not apply to small community water systems regulated by the PURA, are subject to CGS § 25-32d, or are a state agency. Not later than January 1, 2021, each small community water systems (which regularly serves at least 25, but not more than 1,000, year round residents) shall prepare a fiscal and asset management plan of all of the system's capital assets, to be updated annually; Not later than May 2, 2019, each small community water systems shall complete, on a form developed by the Department, a fiscal and asset management plan assessment review of its hydropneumatic pressure tanks.; The form will be made available this Fall. Civil Penalties (Effective October 1, 2018) Subsections (a) to (e) of CGS §25-32e are repealed and substituted with provisions which relate to a water company violating any provision of section 25-32, 25-32d or any regulation adopted under §25-32d, or any provision of title 19 or 25 or any regulation promulgated pursuant to these titles that relate to purity and adequacy of water supplies. Please refer to the Circular Letter #2018-21 for more details on these upcoming changes. The Department is in the process of developing and updating guidance materials and training opportunities with regard to the implementation of the new provisions of these laws.; Please look for more information in forthcoming circular letters and future communications.

Latest News

Thursday, March 14, 2019

Seasonal System Start-up Requirements- Circular Letter 2019-07 - Seasonal public water systems are required to complete a start-up procedure prior to serving the public at the beginning of each operating season.

Monday, February 25, 2019

2019 Sanitary Survey Lists Posted – Please visit the DWS Sanitary Survey webpage for the 2019 sanitary survey lists for Community and Non-Community Public Water Systems. Sanitary surveys are conducted every 3 years for Community PWS and every 5 years for Non-Community PWS. In addition to the lists of PWS to be surveyed this calendar year, useful tips including how to prepare for the upcoming survey, a link to the 2019 Community PWS Sanitary Survey Capacity Questionnaire and other helpful compliance reminders are posted on this page. To access this page, click on “Sanitary Surveys” on the “Information for Public Water Systems” link.

Friday, February 22, 2019

Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Draft Amendment #2 to the SFY 2019 Intended Use Plan

The Drinking Water Section is proposing to amend the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) State Fiscal Year 2019 Annual Intended Use Plan. To view the IUP documents please visit the DWSRF webpage.

Friday, February 15, 2019

THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY RELEASES ITS PFAS ACTION PLAN:

The EPA released the Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Action Plan on February 14, 2019. The Drinking Water Section is currently reviewing the Action Plan to identify impacts to public drinking water systems and adjust the DWS Strategy as needed.

The Drinking Water Section continues to implement a multi-faceted strategy - DPH DWS PFAS Strategy Summary to protect public health from potential contamination of public drinking water supplies by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The DWS sent Circular Letter 2019-03 as a reminder to all public water systems that serve over 1,000 individuals to complete their source water vulnerability assessment. The Circular Letter was sent with standardized spreadsheets (Source Water PFAS Vul. Assmt. Form) developed by the CT Section of the American Water Works Source Protection Committee for use by all PWS subject to this requirement.

Friday, February 15, 2019

Circular Letter 2019-05 - New England Get the Lead Out Summit: regarding Creative Strategies for Replacing Lead Lines Free Workshop, Westborough, MA

Join EPA and our partners to learn about innovative steps communities and water utilities are taking to support lead line replacement projects and other actions to mitigate lead in drinking water.

Tuesday, January 29, 2019

The Drinking Water Section is announcing the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) Call for Projects for State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2020. Please refer to the “Call for Projects, Review and Ranking of Projects” page for more details.

New for 2020: We have developed information and application forms for the new Small Loan Program for projects with a total cost less than $100,000. Please visit the dedicated webpage for more information.

For emergency generator projects under $100,000, please refer to the Emergency Power Generator Program page.

Wednesday, January 16, 2019

New Fiscal and Asset Management Plan Requirement for Small Community Water Systems – Hydropneumatic Storage Tank Assessment due May 2, 2019

The DPH has developed a new web page dedicated to Capacity Development topics and resources for Small Water Systems. The new Webpage discusses the new Fiscal and Asset Management Plan requirement for small community PWS. Additionally, the Hydropneumatic Storage Tank Fiscal and Asset Assessment Form is now available, with instructions and a Hydropneumatic Storage Tank Fact Sheet. The prioritized Hydropneumatic Storage Tank Assessment is due to be completed by small community water systems with hydropneumatic tanks as part of their water system by May 2, 2019. To help small water better meet the new requirements, DPH has partnered with the Environmental Finance Center Network, Inc. on a 4-part webinar series for small community water systems. The last webinar in the series, scheduled to broadcast on February 13, 2019 from 3-4 pm EST, will focus on the hydropneumatic storage tank assessment requirement. Links to the webinars are included on the new webpage. Please refer to Circular Letter DWS 2019-01 or contact Mandy Smith at Mandy.Smith@ct.gov or 860-509-7796 for more information.

Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Circular Letter 2018-29 - Prompt Electronic Reporting and Transition to the Compliance Monitoring Data Portal

The Department of Public Health Drinking Water Section (DWS) is requesting that public water systems and Certified Laboratories report various acute parameters within 24 hours of validated data.; As part of this initiative we are completing the transition to the Compliance Monitoring Data Portal (CMDP). The DWS is setting a transition deadline of February 1, 2019 and the current EDI reporting format and protocols will be discontinued.;

Please refer to Circular Letter 2018-29 for more information or contact Christopher Roy or Robert Baran at (860) 509-7333.

Monday, December 3, 2018

Circular Letter 2018-28 - PFAS UPDATE GenX and PFBS

Circular Letter 2018-28 was sent to all Public Water Systems, Chief Elected Official, Certified Operators and Local Health Directors with updates from the EPA. Two draft toxicity assessments have been released for public comment under docket number EPA-HQ-OW-2018-0614 and is available for comment at regulations.gov until January 19, 2019 (60 days after posting). There has also been an update to EPA Method 537.1 (Drinking Water Analytical Method for PFAS) to include testing for four additional PFAS chemicals; finally the Master List of PFAS R&D (by chemical) has been updated to reflect the addition of several PFAS to the Drinking Water Treatability Database.

Friday, November 16, 2018

Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Amendment #1 to the SFY 2019 Intended Use Plan now Final

The DPH has amended the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) Program's SFY 2019 Annual Intended Use Plan (IUP). To view the IUP documents go to the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund page and click on Call for Projects, Review and Ranking of Projects and scroll down to the section titled Intended Use Plan and Project Priority List.

Friday, November 16, 2018

Circular Letter 2018-27 was sent to all community water systems (CWS) serving less than 10,000 persons reminding them of the regulatory requirement to have back-up generator(s) installed no later than December 17,2018. The DPH offers subsidized loans for generator systems through the Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (DWSRF) Emergency Power Generator Program (EPGP) if financial assistance is needed to comply with this requirement. A 12 month extension is being offered to CWS that need financing for their generator installation and submit a EPGP Eligibility Application to the Drinking Water Section no later than December 17, 2018.

Friday, November 2, 2018

Circular Letter 2018-27 was sent to all community water systems (CWS) serving less than 10,000 persons reminding them of the regulatory requirement to have back-up generator(s) installed no later than December 17,2018. The DPH offers subsidized loans for generator systems through the Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (DWSRF) Emergency Power Generator Program (EPGP) if financial assistance is needed to comply with this requirement. A 12 month extension is being offered to CWS that need financing for their generator installation and submit a EPGP Eligibility Application to the Drinking Water Section no later than December 17, 2018.

Monday, October 22, 2018

Presentation - Resiliency, Public Health and Drinking Water, Yale University School of Architecture October 16, 2018 Lori J. Mathieu, Public Health Section Chief, Drinking Water Section

Thursday, October 4, 2018

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances

The Drinking Water Section has issued two Circular Letters to update public water systems on the most recent developments regarding Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances or PFAS. Circular Letter #2018-19 contains information for all public water systems regarding the State's Drinking Water Action Level, monitoring requirements for proposed sources of public drinking water supply and resources available for public water systems.

Monday, October 1, 2018

The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority and the Department of Public Health's Joint Report on Streamlining the Takeover Process

The Public Utility Regulatory Authority (Authority) and the Department of Public Health (DPH) are issuing this report in order to develop a more efficient process for the takeover of water companies pursuant to Conn. Gen. Stats. §§16-46 and 16-262n through 16-262q.

Friday, August 3, 2018

CWS serving less than 10,000 people - Generator Requirements

The Department would like to remind community water systems (CWS) regarding the generator requirements under amendments made to Regulations of Connecticut Agencies § 19-13-B102 in December 2015.

The Generator Regulations require all CWSs (not regulated by the PURA) to have and maintain generators or Department-approved alternative sources of backup power capable of providing sufficient power to supply the power demands of the CWS at each of the CWS's facility locations.

By December 23, 2018, CWS serving less than 10,000 people are required to have installed and maintained a generator or Department-approved alternative source of backup power.

Please refer to Circular Letter;2018-23;for more information or contact Michael Hage at (860) 509-7333 or michael.hage@ct.gov.

Friday, July 27, 2018

Public Act 18-168 - New Asset and Fiscal Management Plan Requirements, Hydropneumatic Tank Requirement, Civil Penalties Revision

The Department would like to make all community public water systems aware of new, upcoming requirements regarding asset and fiscal management plans, hydropneumatic tanks, and revisions to civil penalties as a result of Public Act 18-168.

Asset and Fiscal Management (does not apply to small community water systems regulated by the PURA, are subject to CGS § 25-32d, or are a state agency.
- Not later than January 1, 2021, each small community water systems (which regularly serves at least 25, but not more than 1,000, year round residents) shall prepare a fiscal and asset management plan of all of the system's capital assets, to be updated annually;
- Not later than May 2, 2019, each small community water systems shall complete, on a form developed by the Department, a fiscal and asset management plan assessment review of its hydropneumatic pressure tanks.; The form will be made available this Fall.
Civil Penalties (Effective October 1, 2018)
Subsections (a) to (e) of CGS §25-32e are repealed and substituted with provisions which relate to a water company violating any provision of section 25-32, 25-32d or any regulation adopted under §25-32d, or any provision of title 19 or 25 or any regulation promulgated pursuant to these titles that relate to purity and adequacy of water supplies.

Please refer to the Circular Letter #2018-21 for more details on these upcoming changes. The Department is in the process of developing and updating guidance materials and training opportunities with regard to the implementation of the new provisions of these laws.; Please look for more information in forthcoming circular letters and future communications.

Connecticut State Department of Public Health