CO ‑ STAR: Colorado Strategy for Arsenic Reduction A Five Phase Compliance Assistance Program 1. Evaluate 2. Sample 3.Engineer4. Finance 5. Implement

RMWEA/RMSAWWA Annual Conference, Steamboat Springs 2002 Presented and authored by –Ron Falco, P.E. –Mark Kadnuck, P.E. –Sharon M. Israel, EIT –Joseph C. Talbott, Jr., EIT

Developed by the Drinking Water Program in the Water Quality Control Division of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) Designed to assist public water systems to comply with the new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Arsenic Rule Introduction to CO-STAR

Background EPA establishes maximum contaminant levels (MCL) for various drinking water contaminants The MCL for Arsenic in drinking water has changed from 50 ppb to 10 ppb with a January 23, 2006 compliance date CDPHE is responsible for implementing the new MCL in Colorado The CO-STAR program is designed to help public water systems with Arsenic levels above 10 ppb to comply with the new MCL

CO-STAR Objectives Establish partnerships with Public Water Systems (PWS) and other interested groups to address Arsenic Rule compliance Develop and execute a five phase compliance assistance program 1.Data Evaluation and Assessment 2.Sampling Study 3.Engineering Analysis: Technology Evaluations and Cost Estimates 4.Financial Assistance Planning and Scheduling 5.Implementation

CO-STAR Schedule

Phase 1: Data Evaluation and Assessment Utilized database review to identify systems in Colorado with the following Arsenic concentration ranges 4 Systems: >50  g/L 17 Systems:  g/L 10 Systems: 5-10  g/L All affected PWS use groundwater as the raw water source Conducted initial outreach: 29 systems participating as CO-STARs

Distribution of Affected Systems Distribution of Affected Systems Several PWS in North Eastern Colorado along the S. Platte have moderate Arsenic concentrations Several PWS in South Central Colorado along the Rio Grande have higher Arsenic levels

Phase 2: Sampling Study Developed written sampling program Sampling Methods and Speciation –Arsenic (As) exists in particulate and dissolved forms –The dissolved form is divided into two species: As (III) or arsenite As (V) or arsenate –Typical analytical tests can only measure total As –Speciation knowledge is required for treatment technology selection. Generally, As (III) is not as easily removed and should be converted to As (V)

Phase 2: Sampling Parameters Determined data needs for sampling and treatment technology selection Arsenic speciation required for treatment method determination

Speciation Considerations Arsenic Speciation in the Field –Three samples will be collected for the As speciation determination: Raw source water Filtered source water One sample both filtered and passed through an anion exchange resin column. –Each aliquot is analyzed for As with results indicating total As, particulate As, As (III) and As (V)

Sampling Procedure to Determine Arsenic Species Total Arsenic Analyzed Raw Water Sample 0.45 µm filtration Particulate Arsenic Removed Arsenic (V) Removed Arsenic (III) Anion Exchange Resin Column Soluble Arsenic Analyzed Arsenic (III) Analyzed

Field Speciation Kit Arsenic Field Speciation Sampling Kit: –3 Bottles –Syringe –Sample Beaker –Syringe Filter –Anion exchange resin column Ring stand sold separately

East Alamosa Water District was the first facility to undergo sampling Sampling Study Initiated

Speciation at East Alamosa Field speciation sampling kit set up on a tractor at East Alamosa Well No. 01

Sampling at South Adams County South Adams County Water and Sanitation District is one of the sampling locations

Sampling at South Adams County State sampler Bill Smith samples for Sulfate, Chloride, Total Alkalinity, and Total Dissolved Solids at South Adams County

Bill filters sample through 0.45 µm filtering syringe at South Adams County Speciation at South Adams County

Anion exchange resin column in use at South Adams County Speciation at South Adams County

Unit Manager Ron Falco passing filtered water through the anion exchange resin column at South Adams County

Sampling costs covered by capacity development funding Up to $232 per site including speciation Speciation adds $85.00 to the total cost Sites with more than one affected source will be more costly to sample Analytical Costs

Phase 3: Engineering Analysis Develop a fact sheet for each affected PWS so that an engineering analysis can: –Evaluate raw water sources to determine whether treatment is necessary –Evaluate treatment technologies that are available, applicable –Develop system-specific process design options and treatment cost estimates

Phase 3: Engineering Analysis Alternatives to reduce Arsenic concentrations: –Treatment Avoidance & Minimization Strategies Source Change Blending Sources –Enhance Existing Treatment Processes

Phase 3: Engineering Analysis Treatment (Full-Stream or Side-stream and Blending) Point-of-Use Treatment* *Point-of-Use allowed only with rigorous operations and maintenance program on a case-by-case basis

Phase 4: Financial Assistance Planning and Scheduling Match EPA compliance dates with cost estimates to determine when funding is needed Compare the needs to funding availability Establish statewide schedule to achieve compliance

Phase 5: Implementation Funding applications/eligibility assessments Capacity reviews –Technical, Managerial and Financial capacity of systems to properly operate and fund on- going compliance adequately Operator certification considerations Engineering plans reviews

Conclusion CDPHE is helping public water systems comply with the new Arsenic MCL CO-STAR is a multi-phase program including assessment, engineering, planning, and implementation As EPA issues guidance, compliance schedules, etc; CDPHE will make adjustments to this strategy as needed

CO ‑ STAR: Colorado Strategy for Arsenic Reduction A Five Phase Compliance Assistance Program 1. Evaluate 2. Sample 3.Engineer4. Finance 5. Implement

This presentation will be available online at the Water Quality Control Division’s web page at and click on the Drinking Water link after October 1, If you prefer a copy to be ed to you please send an request to Carol Keever at Presentation Availability