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DEP Proposes Changes To Tank Closure, E.coli Laboratory Reporting Guidance

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the February 4 PA Bulletin of proposed changes to the technical guidance clarifying closure requirements for aboveground and underground storage tanks and for Cryptosporidia, E.coli and turbidity laboratory reporting requirements for public water systems. Comments are due March 6.

Further details on proposed changes to tank and laboratory guidance--

-- DEP ID: 263-4200-001. Title: Closure Requirements for Aboveground Storage Tank Systems. Description: The purpose of this guidance is to establish minimum standards that must be met to comply with the closure requirements for regulated large aboveground storage tank systems. These procedures include closure notification, tank handling, waste management and disposal, site assessment, sampling requirements, analytical requirements, release reporting and recordkeeping.

This technical guidance document is being revised to remove all appendices from the document. In addition, throughout the document, associated regulatory citations have been updated pertaining to the Bureau of Waste Management regulations and the Department of Labor and Industry.

Existing language has been expanded to aid in clarity and outdated terminology has been deleted. Document sections have been reorganized and additional information is included that would be relevant to the storage tank owner during storage tank closure activities.

Written Comments: Interested persons may submit written comments on this draft technical guidance document by March 6, 2017. Comments submitted by facsimile will not be accepted. Comments, including comments submitted by e-mail must include the originator's name and address.

Commentators are encouraged to submit comments using the Department's online eComment System webpage or by e-mail to ecomment@pa.gov.. Written comments should be submitted to the Technical Guidance Coordinator, Department of Environmental Protection, Policy Office, Rachel Carson State Office Building, P.O. Box 2063, Harrisburg, PA 17105-2063.

Contact: Questions regarding this technical guidance document should be directed to Alex Eckman at 717-772-5827 or send email to: eeckman@pa.gov.

-- DEP ID: 263-4500-601. Title: Closure Requirements for Underground Storage Tank Systems. Description: The purpose of this guidance is to establish minimum standards that must be met to comply with the closure requirements for regulated underground storage tank systems. These procedures include closure notification, tank handling, waste management and disposal, site assessment, sampling requirements, analytical requirements, release reporting and recordkeeping.

Commentators are encouraged to submit comments using the Department's online eComment System webpage or by e-mail to ecomment@pa.gov. Written comments should be submitted to the Technical Guidance Coordinator, Department of Environmental Protection, Policy Office, Rachel Carson State Office Building, P.O. Box 2063, Harrisburg, PA 17105-2063.

Contact: Questions regarding this technical guidance document should be directed to Alex Eckman at 717-772-5827 or send email to: eeckman@pa.gov.

-- DEP ID: 390-3301-001. Title: Cryptosporidia, E.coli and Turbidity LT2ESWTR Laboratory Reporting Instructions for Public Water Systems Using Surface Water or Groundwater Under the Direct Influence of Surface Water (GUDI) Sources. Description: The guidance is necessary because: (1) The Long-term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (LT2ESWTR) introduces source water quality monitoring and additional treatment requirements for higher risk water systems, to enhance public health protection against pathogenic microbial contaminants, especially Cryptosporidia.

For the LT2ESWTR, public water systems that use surface water or GUDI sources must monitor their sources to determine treatment requirements. Some aspects of the LT2ESWTR are of concern to laboratories.

The new technical guidance manual Cryptosporidia, E.coli and Turbidity LT2ESWTR Laboratory Reporting Instructions for Public Water Systems Using Surface Water or GUDI Sources provides uniform and detailed instructions for the reporting of drinking water monitoring results to the Department; and (2) Laboratories and public water systems must now report data electronically, according to 25 Pa. Code § 109.810 (relating to reporting and notification requirements).

The new technical guidance also provides instructions for submitting Cryptosporidia in source water results into the Drinking Water Electronic Lab Reporting application by a new CRYPTOSPORIDIUM OOCYSTS form for reporting. In addition, the technical guidance introduces source water reporting of E.coli by enumeration.

Contact: Questions regarding this technical guidance document should be directed to Pauline Risser at 717-772-5970 or send email to: parisser@pa.gov.

Copies of these documents are available on DEP’s eComment System webpage.

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