MakingWaves - News From the Division of Water

In This Issue:

• POTW Asset Management Program Call for Communities
• Annual Water Withdrawal Reporting
• Reminder: Free Technical Assistance to Protect Public Drinking Water Sources
• Ashokan Reservoir Water Release Proposal

POTW Asset Management Program Call for Communities

In December, DEC announced in MakingWaves that it had posted a new Asset Management Guide (PDF) (Guide) on its website to help Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW) owners and operators develop asset management programs suited to each unique wastewater treatment system and the goals of the community.

DEC and the Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) are working on a plan to put the Asset Management Guide for POTWs to practical use beginning this spring, help up to 50 municipalities develop and implement asset management programs, and solicit feedback on ways the Guide might be improved. DEC and EFC are soliciting volunteer municipalities across New York State to participate in the program. Municipalities will work with selected engineering firms to develop and implement Asset Management Programs. Municipalities are encouraged to review the Guide and consider applying for the program. Visit DEC’s Asset Management Program webpage for more information. Applications are due March 14, 2022 by 5 PM.

Annual Water Withdrawal Reporting

The DEC Water Withdrawal Reporting Program is currently accepting water withdrawal reporting data for 2021. Reporting is required by March 31 each year for non-agricultural facilities that have a withdrawal capacity of 100,000 gallons or more per day and for all agricultural facilities that registered or reported their existing withdrawals to DEC prior to February 15, 2012.

For additional information, contact Water Withdrawal Reporting staff at 518-402-8182 or AWQRSDEC@dec.ny.gov.

Reminder: Free Technical Assistance to Protect Public Drinking Water Sources

The State is offering a free technical assistance (TA) provider to communities interested in developing and implementing a Drinking Water Source Protection Program (DWSP2) Plan for their source(s) of public drinking water.

TA providers will help guide municipalities in developing community specific DWSP2 plans using the Framework & Toolkit (PDF) developed for New York State.

DWSP2 is open to all community public water supplies in New York. To apply, visit the DWSP2 website to complete a short application (PDF). Direct questions and completed applications to the DWSP2 Team at source.water@dec.ny.gov.

Subscribe to the monthly DWSP2 Newsletter. 

Ashokan Reservoir Water Release Proposal 

DEC has announced it is requiring the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYCDEP) to undertake additional analysis and prepare a Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (SDEIS) for releases from the city's Ashokan Reservoir. The new requirements follow DEC's review of nearly 1,300 comments submitted during the 2021 public comment period on a Draft Catalum State Pollution Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) Permit Modification and draft Environmental Impact Statement for Ashokan Reservoir releases.

The SDEIS will augment information included in the draft permit modification that incorporates turbidity control measures, including operation of the Ashokan Reservoir in accordance with the "Interim Release Protocol," helping to improve water quality, mitigate potential flood impacts, protect critical fish and wildlife habitat in the Ashokan and downstream communities, and continue to provide a reliable supply of clean drinking water. The documents can be found on DEC's website.