Water News

Water Rulemaking Anticipated in 2012
The Environmental Protection Agency has tentatively slated two rules for final issuance this year, the Third Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR3) in March and the Revised Total Coliform Rule (RTCR) in November.

UCMR3 will apply to some water systems. As the name suggests, it will require monitoring for potential contaminants that are not currently regulated. The rule focuses on 28 contaminants and the monitoring will take place in 2013-2102.

RTCR will apply to all water systems. The rule will be similar to the existing TCR, but the indicator organism will be E. coli rather than total coliform. E. coli is used as an indicator of potential fecal contamination, and its presence in drinking water will trigger public notice and additional monitoring. Where the new rule will differ is that it will require additional monitoring for some systems and will bring more attention to finding and preventing potential bacterial contamination, especially in distribution systems.

Kansas to Take a Look at Fracking
The Kansas Water Office is planning to have a meeting about hydraulic fracturing (fracking) in February. There is a lot of demand for oil and gas exploration in Kansas and the state Division of Water Resources has approve nearly all of the 600 applications for temporary water permits it received in 2011 related to such explorations.

Find more at
Despite Drought, Fracking Causes Spike in Water Permits for Oil, Gas Exploration in Kansas
Fracking in Kan. Pushes Water Permits to New High
Fracking in Kan. Pushes Water Permits to New High
Fracking in Kansas Pushes Water Permits to a New High
Fracking Pushes Water Permits to New High
Water Permits Up Due to Fracking in Kansas

USDA Releases Emergency Funds for Response to Floods, Other Disasters

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced it will release $300 million in emergency funds to repair farmland and property damaged by the several natural disasters that occurred in the last year. Missouri will be one of the states where significant aid will be provided (about $50 million), mainly in response to extensive damages to farms from flooding.

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USDA Announces $308 Million for Disaster-Stricken States