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October
1996
Water
Policy News
Newsletter of the Water Resources Education Network
In this Issue
WREN WEBSITE GROWS
A newly revised and expanded WREN website is waiting for your visit.
We’re at our old address, but have a complete new look and are ready for
your comments and input. Go to http: www.palwv.org/wren/ and check
out the changes including: a list of all WREN steering committee members
and addresses for those who can provide resource information for you,
resource lists - what’s available through the WREN Resource Center and
elsewhere, current and back issues of Water Policy News, a list of all
local water education projects funded through LWVPA-CEF, upcoming events,
and a feedback page for you to send us info on your activities. We also
have links to related websites. Be sure and add your comments after you
visit.
WREN COMMITTEE HEARS FROM KELLOGG REP
Richard Foster, Vice President for Programs of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation,
met with the WREN Steering Committee recently to discuss future funding
directions of the Foundation. Funding for water projects will be tied
to rural development, food sustainability and land use planning areas
of their funding priorities. A smaller amount of funding will go to projects
dealing with leadership development, information systems for non-government
organizations, family, neighborhood and community issues and programs
which capitalize on the diversity of their partners. The Foundation has
always been willing to work with coalitions of grassroots organizations
which are developing innovative projects. For more information, call the
Foundation at 616-968-1611 and ask to speak to a project specialist in
one of the above areas.
BUCKS COUNTY WORKSHOP REACHES 100
Wellhead protection was a popular topic in Bucks County on September 26
as over 100 people gathered to hear presentations on how municipalities
can protect water supplies and the importance of involving the community
in planning for protection. The workshop was sponsored by the Bucks County
Planning Commission and funded in part by a grant from the PA Groundwater
Policy Education Project, which also sponsors the Water Resources Education
Network (WREN). Participants were particularly pleased with the amount
of information provided and wanted to learn more about wellhead protection
and implement what they had learned in their communities. Call Dennis
Liwrone, 215-345-3400 for info.
GIS (GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS) INFO AVAILABLE ON CD-ROM
If you have access to a computer with a CD-ROM drive, you can explore
the data available through a Geographic Information System (GIS). A “sampler”
CD-ROM has been developed by PA Dept. of Environmental Protection and
others to demonstrate, in an easy-to-use format, the limitless opportunities
of this technology. The CD-ROM allows the professional, novice or student
to electronically explore the nearly 45,000 square miles of PA, navigate
the major rivers, and perform host of other activities by examining the
geographic bounty of Pennsylvania. The sampler CD-ROM may be borrowed
from the WREN Resource Center. Call 1-800-692-7281 for information & computer
requirements.
DRINKING WATER TOOLS VIDEOCONFERENCE PLANNED FOR MARCH
A national videoconference, “Tools for Drinking Water Protection,” is
being planned for March 19, 1997 by the League of Women Voters Education
Fund. You can participate by arranging local downlink sites, recruiting
audiences and facilitating local site meetings. The national video conference
is designed to be a catalyst for you to assemble community leaders, planners,
citizens, business people and water officials to develop workable drinking
water protection plans for your area. Local involvement is key to a successful
program. Planning for a local site should begin soon. Information on how
to arrange for a downlink and plan a local workshop is available from
the WREN Resource Center, 1-800-692-7281. A conference Internet homepage
starts October 15: http:\\www.drinking water.org; this site provides information
on the conference and can also be used to submit questions to national
experts before, during and after the conference. If you plan a local downlink,
please let the WREN Resource Center know so we can publicize all PA locations.
FINAL DEMO WATER SUPPLY AREA SIGNS GO UP
The last in a series of demonstration Water Supply Area signs funded by
the WREN project through its grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation were
put up in Mt. Joy Township, Lancaster County this summer. The signs protect
the drinking water supplies for four municipalities. Other areas that
have benefitted from the demonstration project include: White Haven in
Luzerne County, Brookville in Jefferson County, Barkeyville and Rouseville
in Venango County, Montoursville in Lycoming County, 11 groundwater systems
in Allegheny County, and several systems in Bedford County near Breezewood.
Other signs have gone up around the state funded by the communities that
benefit as this demonstration project has shown the effectiveness of the
signs. To find out what you need to do to protect your water supply with
Water Supply Area signs, call Judy Muehl of PA Rural Water Association
at 717-367-5854.
PRWA KICKS OFF YOUTH LEADERSHIP TRAINING PROJECT
Judy Muehl, PA Rural Water Association’s groundwater technician, is working
on a new program to train leaders of youth volunteer groups on protecting
groundwater sources and working with their community water system. She
is planing six workshops for leaders of youth groups, to introduce them
to programs they can develop with their groups. She’d like to hear from
local leaders interested in hosting a workshop in their area. Call 1-800-653-PRWA
for more information on the program.
SAFE DRINKING WATER ACT PASSAGE PROVIDES NEW TOOLS FOR WATER PROTECTION
In a new approach to drinking water protection, the recently passed federal
Safe Drinking Water Act requires water suppliers to tell their customers
what is in their water supply. Reaction from suppliers has been mixed
with some believing this is another unnecessary regulatory burden that
will mean nothing to their customers and other believing customers will
benefit from knowing more about their drinking water. For a good summary
of the Act prepared by Richard Fox of the Joint Legislative Conservation
Committee, call the WREN Resource Center, 1-800-692-7281.
EPA PROPOSES REGS FOR PA STREAMS
The federal EPA recently published regulations to protect water quality
in PA’s lakes and streams. The proposed regulations are the result of
a long series of lawsuits and negotiations between the state and federal
governments and environmental groups. EPA was ordered by a federal judge
to develop a program for PA after the PA program was determined to be
inadequate, particularly as it relates to streams that are not presently
included in the state’s “Special Protection” program, the program that
protects especially clean waters. A public hearing on the proposed regs
will be held October 16 in Harrisburg. Meanwhile, the state is working
on a reg package of its own to meet EPA’s standards. For information on
the state program call Dan Drawbaugh at: 717-787-2666. For a copy of the
proposed federal regulations, call 215-566-5717.
Resources . . .
HANDBOOK FOR MUNICIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COUNCILS (PA Environmental
Council, 70 pp, 1996) explains the role and responsibilities of EACs,
give details on many projects they can take and includes model EAC ordinances
and bylaws. Available free from PEC, 1-800-322-9214.
THE WELLHEAD PROTECTION PROGRAM IN PA: AN OVERVIEW (PA DEP, 4 pp,
1996) provides an overview of the wellhead protection concept and state
program. Available free from DEP Division of Drinking Water Management,
717-772-4018.
DISINFECTION OF HOME WELLS AND SPRINGS (PA DEP, 2 pp, 1996) describes
procedure for temporarily treating bacteriological contamination of
home wells. Available free from DEP Division of Drinking Water Management,
717-772-4018.
NEW WELL PERMITTING REQUIREMENTS (PA DEP, 1 p, 1995) outlines the
information needed and basic protection requirements for new public
water supply wells. Available free from DEP Division of Drinking Water
Management, 717-772-4018.
CRYPTOSPORIDIUM AND GIARDIA ... ARE THEY IN YOUR DRINKING WATER? (PA
Dept. of Environmental Protection, 4-fold brochure, 1995) describes
these disease-causing parasites, the illnesses they cause and what do
to if their presence in drinking water is suspected. Available free
from DEP Division of Drinking Water Management, 717-772-4018.
CITIZEN’S GUIDE TO HOME DRINKING WATER TREATMENT DEVICES (PA DEP,
32 pp, 1996) provides objective information on treatment devices for
common homeowner well problems. Available free from DEP Division of
Drinking Water Management, 717-772-4018.
BUILDING BRIDGES: THE WATER POLICY DEBATE IN CHANGING COMMUNITIES
(Charles W. Abdalla, Pennsylvania State University, 52 pp., 1995) Discusses
the policy issues of “How safe is safe?” and “Allocation of use” and
roles and options for local governments. Call 814-865-2562.
RIVER RENEWAL - A LOOK AT THE RESTORATION POTENTIAL OF THE SCHUYLKILL
RIVER (Delaware Riverkeeper Network, 64 pp, 1996) describes the environmental
history of the Schuylkill, the current status of the watershed and potential
for restoration, including the role of the Schuylkill riverkeepers.
Available free from the Schuylkill Riverkeeper, 1-800-HOME WATERS. (465-3928)
OFFICE OF WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT PRIMER (US Environmental Protection
Agency, 27 pp, 1995) outlines the role of the agency in the control
of wastewater and water pollution in the US. Available free from National
Small Flows Clearinghouse, 1-800-624-8301. Ask for item #WWBLGN62. S/h
charges apply. (NSFC 1996 Guide to Products and Services is now available.
Call for a free copy.)
SEPTIC SYSTEM BROCHURES, a series of three educational brochures and
two special issues of Pipeline newsletter which explain septic system
operation and maintenance are available free (up to ten copies) from
NSFC, 1-800-624-8301.
WEED KILLERS BY THE GLASS (Environmental Working Group, 1996) presents
the results of a citizen tap water monitoring program in 29 cities throughout
the Midwest during the summer months. The results show widespread contamination
of tap water by the widely used herbicides atrazine and cyanazine at
levels exceeding federal health guidelines. Available for $20 plus $3
s/h from the EWG, 202- 2332-2592.
JUST ADD WATER: VIOLATIONS OF FEDERAL HEALTH STANDARDS IN TAP-WATER,
1994-1995, PENNSYLVANIA (Environmental Working Group, 1996) uses EPA
data to summarize problems with PA public water supplies. Available
from EWG, 202-668-6982 or email: info@ewg.org.
PROTECTING OUR GROUNDWATER (US Environmental Protection Agency, brochure,
1995) provides background on groundwater and information on protection
along with colorful graphics. Available from 215-566-5655.
WELLHEAD PROTECTION - PROGRESS & CHALLENGES (US Environmental Protection
Agency, Region III, 8 pp. 1996) summarizes wellhead protection activity
in the 5 states and District of Columbia which make up Region III. Available
from the Groundwater Protection Section, 215-566-5655.
PA RESOURCES, a regular publication of the PA Association of Conservation
Districts vol. 7, no. 1 includes a special youth feature on water pollution
and introduces a yet-to-be-named river otter as a new symbol of clean
water. Call PACD 717-236-1006 for a copy.
BAYSCAPES - a 25-minute video and 7 fact sheets, produced by the Alliance
for the Chesapeake Bay, show how to protect water quality with back
yard and public property gardening practices designed to be environment-friendly.
THE CASE OF THE MYSTERIOUS GROUNDWATER a 16-minute educational video
produced by PSU Ag and Bio Engineering Dept, that uses animated graphics
and creative video techniques to communicate technical concepts about
groundwater.
This newsletter is a project of the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania
Citizen Education Fund - WREN. Funded by a grant from the PA
Dept. of Environmental Protection
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