Document v1awD6wy63EJJ3kJD0aROpmyw

Message From: Sent: To: CC: Subject: Jones, Enesta [/0=EXCHANGELABS/OU=EXCHANGE ADMINISTRATIVE GROUP (FYDIBOHF23SPDLT)/CN=RECIPIENTS/CN=65B8E6C6E5CA4A7A9AE85D98A4C8EEDB-EJONES02] 7/20/2017 3:21:31 PM Theresa Clift [tclift@tribweb.com] Press [/o=ExchangeLabs/ou=Exchange Administrative Group (FYDIBOHF23SPDLT)/cn=Recipients/cn=b293283291dc44eOb5dlc36be9281d8a-Press] Re: Press Inquiry about Drinking Water Hi Theresa, Please attribute to an EPA spokesperson: Under the Lead and Copper Rule, the lead action level is exceeded if the concentration of lead in more than 10 percent of tap water samples collected during any monitoring period conducted in accordance with 141.86 is greater than 0.015 mg/L (40 CFR 141.80(c) When labs return results, they typically are to the precision and accuracy of the method. Data reported to the State or EPA should be in a form containing the same number of significant digits as the MCL. Therefore, in calculating data for compliance purposes, it is necessary to round-off by dropping the digits that are not significant. In the case of the lead action level this is two significant figures. If the 90thpercentile is below 15.5 ppb it would be rounded to two significant figure, 15 ppb, and not be considered an action level exceedance. For more information on rounding, please see water supply guidance 20: httpsy/nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyPPF.egUDockev-lU00NBI3.txt EPA's Optimal Corrosion Control Treatment and Evaluation Technical Recommendations document provides technical recommendations that both systems and primacy agencies can use to comply with Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) corrosion control treatment requirements and effective evaluation and designation of optimal corrosion control treatment (OCCT). As noted in the document, orthophosphate is commonly used for lead and copper control. For details, visit: https://w'ww\epa.aQv/dwregi.nfo/optimal"Corrosion-cont:rol-treatment:~twa1uation4echMcai-recommendations Enesta Jones U.S. EPA Office of Media Relations Office: 202.564.7873 Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061 00028391-00001 Ex. 6 "The root of all joy is gratefulness." On Jul 18, 2017, at 4:30 PM, Theresa Clift <tclift@tribweb.com> wrote: hello Enesta, thanks for the help in the past with my reporting on lead levels. PWSA announced today that their latest 90thpercentile result Is 15. I want to verify that 15 ppfa is passing, but 15.1 ppb is not. also, PWSA Is planning to apply with DEP for permission to use Orthophosphate to reduce lead levels more, they do not currently use that chemical. I wanted to get the opinion of an EPA drinking water quality expert on that idea, is it common? does it work? are there drawbacks/concerns? they can call or email me anytime this week, my cell Is below, thanks Theresa Clift Reporter Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Desk: 412-380-5889 C Z Z Z ^ IZ IZ Z Z Z j Twitter: @tellft From: Jones, Enesta fmailto:3ones.Enesta@epa.qovl Sent: Thursday, June 01, 2017 2:49 PM To: Theresa Clift Cc: Press Subject: RE: Press Inquiry about Drinking Water Hi Theresa, Please attribute to an agency spokesperson: EPA's Lead and Cooper Rule (40 CFR 141 Subpart I) has different requirements for water systems serving less than 50.000 persons than those serving 50,001 or more persons. All systems serving populations greater than 50,000 persons were required to install corrosion control treatment when the rule was promulgated in 1991. For water systems serving 50.000 or fewer persons install corrosion control treatment (CCT) if it exceeds the lead action level of 15 ppb. Also, the number of required tap samples differs by water system size. The LCR states that if 10 percent of a system's required samples have water concentrations that are greater than the action level, then the system must undertake various actions, depending upon its size and corrosion control treatment status. Water systems serving fewer than 50,000 persons are considered optimized if their 90th percentile is below the action level. However, if monitoring results find their 90th percentile for lead or copper to be above the action level they must undertake: Water quality parameter monitoring, Public education, and Corrosion Control Treatment Optimization and Source Water Monitoring/Treatment Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061 00028391-00002 Water systems serving 50,000 or more persons or small systems that have already optimized corrosion control treatment and exceed the lead action level again must undertake: Public education and Lead service line replacement. The rule requires systems that have installed corrosion control treatment to continue to operate and maintain corrosion control treatment and meet the water quality parameters set by the state. All public water systems that exceed the lead action level must undertake public education to inform their consumers of the elevated levels of lead, the potential health effects of lead, and the actions they can take to reduce their exposure to lead. The Lead and Copper Rule Quick Reference Guide summarizes requirements for public water systems of all sizes, for more information please visit: https://www.epa.gov/dwreflinfo/iead-and-copper-ruie For detailed information, please visit: https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/textidx?SID~531617f92.3c3de2cbf5dl.2.ae4663f56d&mc~t:rue&node~sp40.23.141,,i&rgn~div6 Enesta Jones U.S. EPA Office of Media Relations Office: 202.564.7873 Ex. 6 "The root of all joy is gratefulness." ---- Original Message----From: Theresa Clift [mailto:tclift@tribweb.com1 Sent: Tuesday, May 30, 2017 4:53 PM To: Wadlington, Christina <Wadiington.Christina@epa.gov>: Jones, Enesta clones.Enest3@epa.aov>; Bowman, Liz c Bowman, Liz@epa.gov> Subject: RE: Press Inquiry about Drinking Water Hello Enesta, Christina and Liz, Thanks for your help earlier this month. I was wondering whether different-sized water systems have different requirements if they are exceeding the EPA action level. If so, is there a document that spells that out? This time I'm looking at Braddock (PA), which serves about 2,000, according to the EPA database. I'm wondering if they have fewer requirements than PWSA, which serves over 500,000. Thank you. Theresa Clift Reporter Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061 00028391-00003 Desk: 412-380-5669 I------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "i i Ex. 6 | TwTtTe?":"@'tciiTt " ---- Original Message----From: Wadlington, Christina [mailto:Wadlington.Christina@epa.gov] Sent: Tuesday, May 02, 2017 9:40 AM To: Theresa Clift Cc: Jones, Enesta; Bowman, Liz Subject: RE: Press Inquiry about Drinking Water Theresa, Also, in case it's helpful, it's important to note that the number of bill paying customers will be less than the population served, since the population served (consumers), which is represented in SDWIS, includes commuters and visitors. ---- Original Message----From: Theresa Clift [mailto:tclift@tribweb.com] Sent: Monday, May 01, 2017 7:44 PM To: Wadlington, Christina <Wadlington.Christina@epa.gov> Cc: Jones, Enesta <Jones.Enesta@epa.gov>; Bowman, Liz <Bowman.Liz@epa.gov> Subject: Re: Press Inquiry about Drinking Water Thanks, but PWSA says there is no way there are that many customers. Is it at all possible that the EPA accidentally wrote 520,000 instead of 250,000? The Wall Street Journal also used the 250,000 number in a story that ran Sunday. https://www.wsj.com/articles/pittsburgh-tries-to-avoid-becoming-the-next-flint-1493550002 Sent from my iPhone On May 1, 2017, at 7:25 PM, Wadlington, Christina <Wadlington.Christina@epa.gov<mailto:Wadlington.Christina@epa.gov wrote: Theresa, The data in SDWIS is provided to EPA from the state's database. Pittsburgh's population in SDWIS, 520,000, reflects both their residential and transient populations. To learn about the different types of systems, please visit:ht:tps://www.epa.gov/dwreginfo/informat:ion-about-public-w3ter-systems On May 1, 2017, at 2:07 PM, Theresa Clift <tclift@tribweb.com<mailto:tclift@tribweb.com wrote: Actually I did have one question: PWSA says they only have 250,000 customers, not 520,000, as they EPA database says they have. From PWSA spox: We estimate we serve about 250,000 drinking water customers on a retail basis, which doesn't include our wholesale jurisdictions. Any idea what's causing this difference? Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061 00028391-00004 Theresa Clift Reporter Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Desk: 412-380-5669 \ Ex. 6 Twitter: "@tclift From: Theresa Clift Sent: Monday, May 01, 2017 9:36 AM To: Wadlington, Christina Cc: Jones, Enesta Subject: Re: Press Inquiry about Drinking Water I figured it out now, so you can disregard. Thanks! Sent from my iPhone On May 1, 2017, at 7:45 AM, Wadlington, Christina <Wadlington.Christina@epa.gov<mailto:Wadlington.Christina@epa.gov wrote: Theresa, Liz asked that I reach out to you this morning regarding your below request on how to navigate EPA's SDWIS database. Can you let myself and Enesta (c/c'd here) know what time(s) work for you? Thank you! Christina Wadlington Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Tel: 202.566.1859 Email: wadlington.christina@epa.gov<mailto:wadlington.christina@epa.gov> Webpage: www.epa.gov/safewater<http://www.epa.gov/safewater> From: Theresa Clift [mailto:tclift@tribweb.com] Sent: Friday, April 28, 2017 1:56 PM To: Bowman, Liz <Bowman.Liz@epa.gov<mailto:Bowman.Liz@epa.gov Subject: RE: Press Inquiry about Drinking Water Thanks for setting that up. If someone can still call me Monday about the database, that would be great. I want to see if PWSA is the biggest provider in the country that's been exceeding the standard for two consecutive tests. Also to see how far we are after Portland for "biggest water provider that's exceeding the standard" Thanks Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061 00028391-00005 Theresa Clift Reporter Pittsburgh Tribune-Review ..P.es.!<:.412:M Q r5669________________________ I Ex. 6 | LTwitTerT@tcnTt j From: Bowman, Liz [mailto:Bowman.Liz@epa.gov] Sent: Thursday, April 27, 2017 6:15 PM To: Theresa Clift Cc: Wadlington, Christina; Jones, Enesta Subject: RE: Press Inquiry about Drinking Water Great, we will aim to call you around 1 p.m. In addition, I want to provide you with some background information on the lead and copper rule, which should help inform the discussion. Thanks again - Liz LEAD AND COPPER RULE BACKGROUND Protecting children from exposure to lead is a top priority for EPA. Historically, lead was widely used in plumbing materials in the United States. EPA established the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) in 1991 to reduce the exposure to lead through drinking water. The Lead and Copper Rule established a Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) of zero for lead. The MCLG for lead is zero because there is no level of exposure to lead that is without risk. As required by the Safe Drinking Water Act, EPA developed the Lead and Copper Rule to reduce concentrations of lead and copper in drinking water to levels that are as close as feasible to this MCLG. The primary contribution of lead and copper to drinking water is corrosion from service lines and in-home plumbing materials. Therefore, the LCR requires water systems to implement a treatment technique (corrosion control) that is designed to reduce lead and copper in tap water to the extent feasible. The corrosion control treatment makes the water less corrosive to lead and copper in plumbing materials. The LCR requires tap sampling for lead and copper. Systems compare sample results from homes with lead service lines and lead containing plumbing materials to the action level of 0.015 mg/L (15 ppb). These "tier 1" homes are the locations where elevated levels of lead would be expected if the corrosion control treatment is not effective. If 10 percent of the samples from these homes have water concentrations that are greater than the action level, then the system must perform public education and lead service line replacement. Public water systems that exceed the lead action level must undertake public education to inform their consumers of the elevated levels of lead, the potential health effects of lead, and the actions they can take to reduce their exposure to lead. The systems must reach out to partners in the community (e.g., pediatricians) who can help to spread the message about lead in drinking water. Even if water systems do not exceed the action level they must take two actions to inform their consumers about lead in drinking water. First, systems must notify the people who reside in the homes that are tested for lead of their sample results. Second, the system's annual consumer confidence report that is sent to all customers must provide the 90th percentile lead level and the numbers of samples greater than 15ppb. Both of these customer communications must include information about steps the consumer can take to reduce their exposure to lead irrespective of the levels found. Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061 00028391-00006 LCR IMPLEMENTATION Implementation of the LCR over the past twenty-five years has resulted in major improvements in public health; the number of the nation's large drinking water systems that have exceeded the LCR action level of 15 parts per billion has decreased by over 90 percent since the initial implementation of the rule. Based on June 2016 SDWIS data, about 97 percent of the systems have not reported an action level exceedance in the last 3 years. EPA is continuing to work with primacy agencies to ensure that the LCR is being properly implemented. Additionally, EPA has provided various recommendations regarding optimal corrosion control treatment, source water changes, sampling and monitoring. Furthermore, EPA has also increased the number of primacy program reviews and trainings conducted across the country. LCR NEXT STEPS EPA has conducted extensive engagement with stakeholder groups and the public to inform potential revisions to the LCR. In December of 2015, EPA received comprehensive recommendations from the National Drinking Water Advisory Council (NDWAC) and other concerned stakeholders on potential steps to strengthen the LCR. EPA is carefully evaluating the recommendations from these groups. In addition, EPA is giving extensive consideration to the national experience in implementing the rule as well as the experience in Flint, Ml, as we develop proposed revisions to the rule. Read more in the EPA LCR White Paper: https://www.epa.gov/dwstandardsregulations/lead-and-copper-rule-long-term-revisions From: Theresa Clift [mailto:tclift@tribweb.com] Sent: Thursday, April 27, 2017 5:17 PM To: Bowman, Liz <Bowman.Liz@epa.gov<mailto:Bowman.Liz@epa.gov Subject: RE: Press Inquiry about Drinking Water Thanks! That would be great, sorry I just missed your call. I am free tomorrow after 12 noon anytime. They can call the cell below. Thanks again. Theresa Clift Reporter Pittsburgh Tribune-Review ..Desk;.412-3MT.5669_____________________ ,, Ex. 6 i twitter: @"tcif"t From: Bowman, Liz [mailto:Bowman.Liz@epa.gov] Sent: Thursday, April 27, 2017 5:15 PM To: Theresa Clift Cc: Press Subject: Press Inquiry about Drinking Water Hi Theresa - One of our top guys in the water office would like to walk you through the lead action levels on the Lead and Copper Rule, and how EPA is actively working with cities like Pittsburg to help resolve any issues. Would you be available tomorrow to talk with him? I understand your deadline was today, but hoping we could set something up for Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061 00028391-00007 tomorrow, since our guy is traveling today. In addition, there are instructions below to find public water systems with Action Level Exceedances (ALE's), based on population served on the following website, with the instructions below. Please let me know some times that work for you tomorrow. Thank you - Liz Website: http://ofmpub.epa.gov/apex/sfdw/f?p=108:200:::NO 1. Click "Advanced Search Options" 2. Select "Lead and Copper Report" in the "Select a Report" Dropdown. 3. Click the "Lead ALE Samples" or "Lead Sample" button 4. Select any other desired parameters (e.g. location, water system characteristics, or population served categories). "Population served" should be particularly useful for your search. 5. Click the "View Report" button on the upper right below the search box, which will generate the report 6. Once the report loads (it may take some time) you can add additional filters and formatting. 7. By clicking the "Actions" button you can format and sort the data using different filters. There are other options available for formatting the data. 8. To get a copy of the data you can click to the right "Download Report" 9. A .CSV file download will open in Excel 10. In Excel, filters and/or pivot tables can be helpful Notes "Lead ALE Samples" report provides all 90thpercentile lead values reported to SDWIS Fed for each public water system that exceeded the lead action level of 0.015 mg/L. "Lead Samples" provides all 90th percentile lead values reported for public water systems, regardless of whether they were above or below the action level for lead. Each reported value represents the 90thpercentile that was calculated based on allsamples collected by the public water system during a given time period. This may include values that are above or below the lead action level. From: Theresa Clift <tclift@tribweb.com<mailto:tclift@tribweb.com Date: March 30, 2017 at 4:03:16 PM EDT To: "jones.enesta@epa.gov<mailto:jones.enesta@epa.gov>" <jones.enesta@epa.gov<mailto:jones.enesta@epa.gov Subject: Press Inquiry about Drinking Water Hi Enesta, This is Theresa Clift from the Pittsburgh Trib. Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority's water samples have been exceeding the EPA threshold of 15 ppb. The Allegheny County Controller made the following claim in a news release today: "Pittsburgh is by far the largest city in the nation with water above the EPA lead limit" I'd like to fact check that. Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061 00028391-00008 Does the EPA have a list of water authorities whose water is above 15 ppb Thanks Theresa Clift Reporter Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Desk: 412-380-5669 Twitter: @tclift Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 13 ED 002061 00028391-00009