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November 2014

A Long Time Friend and Member Remembered Harry Balz from ALHA Community

It is with deep sadness that we inform you that our long time member and friend from the Adirondack Lodges Homeowners Association Harry Balz passed away earlier today, November 5, 2014, following a brief hospitalization.  Harry was always present at our Annual Conference and training events with a warm smile, kind words and very supportive of this organization and the industry.  Our deepest sympathies to Harry’s wife Elaine and the other members of their family.

EBOLA In Wastewater Update

On 11/4/14 NYRWA participated in a webinar on EBOLA.  Here are notes from this event.  The short version is if you can take enough precautions for the aids virus, you are covered for EBOLA.

The CDC (Matt Arduino) says they have little to no research on this for wastewater.

1.      This virus is a “negative sense RNA virus” or an “envelope virus” – so is the aids virus.

2.      Envelope virus is the easiest to kill as compared with others like hep-C

SPRTK Update – NY Alert Applications Due by December 1, 2014

NYSDEC recently mailed out NY-Alert applications and notifier agreements to all POTW’s. In an effort to make a smooth transition into the NY-Alert system for reporting overflows, NYSDEC is requesting the applications and agreements be filled out, signed and submitted by December 1st, 2014. Even if you have never had to report an overflow, you are still required to submit the application and agreement.

Gov Cuomo Announces $13.6 Million for Bergen Point Sewage Treatment Plant Storm Resiliency Project

Suffolk County Project is the First to Receive Funding under New York State’s Storm Mitigation Loan Program

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that Suffolk County will receive the first loan from New York State’s Storm Mitigation Loan Program for $13.6 million in wastewater and storm resiliency improvements at the Bergen Point Sewage Treatment Plant in Suffolk County. The loan is made up of a $3.2 million grant and $10.4 million in no-interest financing for Suffolk County, which was approved today by the Environmental Facilities Corporation’s Board of Directors.

Dunkirk Training Session Canceled Due to Weather

NYRWA regrets the need to cancel the scheduled Dunkirk Training Session scheduled for Thursday, November 20, 2014, due to weather predictions for additional snow.  Our office staff are calling all registered attendees to inform them of this cancellation and we plan to reschedule this session in the Spring 2015.  We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience.  All of those paid registrations will be promptly reimbursed.  Thank you for your cooperation and please stay safe out on the roads.

Guidance on Ebola for Workers handling Untreated Sewage

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released its “Interim Guidance for Managers and Workers Handling Untreated Sewage from Individuals with Ebola in the United States.” This interim guidance is intended for workers who handle untreated sewage that comes from hospitals, medical facilities, and other facilities with confirmed individuals with Ebola.

Water Sampling Could Confirm Toxic Concerns

Two Ithaca-based scientists are paddling from Cayuga Lake to Albany, testing water for plastics pollution from microbeads.

Christian Shaw and Gordon Middleton, who attended Cornell, have formed Plastic Tides, a not-for-profit aimed at raising awareness of water pollution.  We caught up with them on the Clyde River, just after they’d gone under the Thruway bridge at Montezuma Wildlife Refuge.

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