October 24, 2011

1) EPA Announces Schedule to Develop Natural Gas Wastewater Standards
2) EPA Proposes to Collect Information about Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations
3) National Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 29, 2011
4) EPA is providing Training Webinars for the Water Sector on the Climate Resilience Evaluation and Awareness Tool

1) EPA Announces Schedule to Develop Natural Gas Wastewater Standards
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a schedule to develop standards for wastewater discharges produced by natural gas extraction from underground coalbed and shale formations. No comprehensive set of national standards exists at this time for the disposal of wastewater discharged from natural gas extraction activities, and over the coming months, EPA will begin the process of developing a proposed standard with the input of stakeholders – including industry and public health groups. The announcement is in line with the priorities identified in the president’s Blueprint for a Secure Energy Future, and is consistent with the Secretary of Energy Advisory Board recommendations on steps to support the safe development of natural gas resources.

For more information: http://water.epa.gov/lawsregs/lawsguidance/cwa/304m/

2) EPA Proposes to Collect Information about Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations
On October 14, EPA proposed that concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) submit a specific set of basic operational information so the Agency can more effectively carry out its CAFO permitting programs on a national level and ensure that CAFOs are implementing practices to protect water quality and human health. The proposal, which is part of a settlement agreement reached with the Natural Resources Defense Council, Waterkeeper Alliance, and the Sierra Club, will be open for public comment for 60 days after publication in the Federal Register. The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), a part of the Clean Water Act, requires that CAFOs obtain a permit from EPA or authorized states before discharging any pollutants from their operations into a water of the United States. CAFOs that do not discharge pollutants do not need a NPDES permit. EPA’s proposal does not change which CAFOs need permits under NPDES.

For more information: http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/afo/aforule.cfm

3) National Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 29, 2011
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is hosting its third National Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 29, 2011 at many local law enforcement offices and other locations across the country. Proper and safe disposal of medicine can help prevent: poisoning of children and pets; misuse by teenagers and adults; health problems from accidentally taking the wrong medicine, too much of the same medicine or medicine too old to work well; and medicines from entering rivers, lakes and streams.

To find a collection site near you, visit http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/index.html. The national number to call for the nearest National Take Back Initiative location is: 1-800-882-9539.

Some medicines poured down the drain or flushed down the toilet pass through wastewater treatment plants and enter rivers, lakes and streams which are often used as sources for community drinking water supplies. To read about how to protect our waters by disposing of medicines properly, go to http://water.epa.gov/scitech/swguidance/ppcp/upload/ppcpflyer.pdf

4) EPA is providing Training Webinars for the Water Sector on the Climate Resilience Evaluation and Awareness Tool
The Climate Resilience Evaluation and Awareness Tool (CREAT) supports water sector utilities in conducting climate related risk assessments, evaluating adaptation options, and understanding climate threats. EPA is currently delivering a nine-webinar series of training materials for CREAT that will continue through November 15 including: CREAT 101, an introduction to the tool; CREAT 201, an overview of setup steps and climate science information within the tool; and CREAT 202, an overview of the analysis and reporting functions within the tool. These training webinars provide water sector utilities with a detailed understanding of how climate change may impact utility facilities and operations, encouraging wider adoption of climate related risk assessments and adaptation plans.

To register for the webinars online, visit: https://www.thetestportal.com/CREAT. You can also download the tool on the Climate Ready Water Utilities (CRWU) web page at: http://water.epa.gov/infrastructure/watersecurity/climate/