Salt, Verde Water Supplies Recovering

The year 1996 was very dry in Arizona. Precipitation for October 1995 through February 1996 was 50 percent of normal for the Salt and Verde watersheds, and snowpack reached only 75 percent of normal by March 1, 1996 (see chart below). This year, precipitation for October 1996 through February 1997 was 83 percent of normal, and snowpack was 100 percent of normal on March 1. Reservoir levels have not recovered, however. Supplies declined from 63 percent of capacity on March 1, 1996 to 47 percent on March 1 1997.

Safe Drinking Water Act Amended

The Safe Drinking Water Act was amended in August 1996 for the second time since its establishment in 1974. Among the changes is a prioritization of contaminant regulation according to health risks, greater attention to the needs of small water providers, and better availability of water quality information to consumers.

Changes in the contaminant selection criteria are to make risk assessment and prioritization part of the selection process. Selection will be based partially on whether there is a meaningful opportunity for reduction in risk from adverse health effects for persons served by the system. And, instead of regulating an additional 25 contaminants every three years as per the 1986 amendments, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will publish a list of contaminants and then decide whether or not to regulate at least five of them every five years.

EPA is to decide at the time a standard is proposed whether its benefits justify its costs. EPA will continue to establish standards based on affordable technology available, but MCL's may subsequently be adjusted to "maximize health risk reduction benefits at a cost that is justified by the benefits." However, EPA can bypass the requirements of the contaminant selection process and the cost/benefit justification if a contaminant is determined to pose an urgent threat to public health.

The amendments require states to protect drinking water sources by identifying potential contaminants in source watersheds and assessing the susceptibility of the state's water systems to those contaminants. States also are required to establish the legal authority to ensure that new water systems can meet drinking water standards, as well as identify existing water systems needing assistance. And states must implement an operator certification program to ensure that every system has an operator to perform key compliance functions.

The amendments also create state Drinking Water Revolving Funds to assist water providers in meeting the requirements of the Act. Specific funding objectives include source water protection, loans to small and/or disadvantaged water providers, and research on the health effects of contaminants. The funds may be distributed as set-asides or loans. Each state must set aside at least 15 percent of the fund for small water providers.

EPA Targets Rural Wastewater Needs

A $50 million U.S. Environmental Protection grant program will help rural, disadvantaged communities with fewer than 3,000 residents meet wastewater treatment needs. Guidelines and funding allotments for the Hardship Grants Program for Rural Communities were released March 20.

Targeting small, rural communities with outdated or failing wastewater treatment systems, the program will be implemented in conjunction with the Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan program (see previous story). EPA funds states, which in turn provide hardship assistance to communities. For guidelines or further information, call Stephanie von Feck, 202-260-2268 or visit EPA's web site at: http://www.epa.gov/owm/wm042002.htm.

Western Water Quality Standards Studied

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Congress funded Pima County Wastewater Management Department to undertake a water quality study. Titled the "Arid West Water Quality Research Project," the project will have significant implications for water quality regulations and treatment in the arid and semi-arid West. Funds from the $5-million grant will sponsor research to develop appropriate water quality criteria for arid regions. The research is to produce water quality criteria to protect species and habitat from ephemeral and effluent-dependent ecosystems.

The project has a regional focus involving wastewater agencies, local governments, tribal interests, state and federal regulators, universities and environmental groups. It is an opportunity for western water and wastewater agencies, working in conjunction with EPA Region IX and others throughout the arid West, to build a scientific basis for appropriate water quality standards for the western ecosystems. (See Announcements, p. 10 for information about a related water quality conference.)

For additional project information contact Pima County Wastewater Management, 201 N. Stone Ave., Tucson, AZ 85701; phone 520-740-6500; fax 520-620-0135.

USGS-Weather Service Joint Use Building Dedicated

Dignitaries and scientists gathered at the University of Arizona on March 21 to dedicate the new Environmental and Natural Resources Building. Envisioned as the first of a three-phase complex, the facility houses the National Weather Service and the U.S. Geological Survey's Water Resources Division, which includes hydrology, GIS, NAWQA, and Glen Canyon Environmental activities.

Locating federal agencies on campuses of research universities is a growing trend. This is the first time, however, that a facility houses both the Survey and the Weather Service. Benefits of the shared facility are expected to include cost savings, greater cooperation between the USGS, NWS and faculty, and enhanced opportunities for students.