Robert Kaplan

Deputy Regional Administrator at EPA, Region 5 / EPA

46

Emails

May 2015–Dec 2015

Archive range

46 emails found.

EPA Flint Drinking Water Task Force Recommendations -- Performance Evaluation Period

Natasha, Attached please find the EPA Flint Drinking Water Task Force Recommendations for a Performance Evaluation Period. As we discussed on December 11 and December 15, it is important to gain operational experience at the Flint Plant prior to distribution of KWA-sourced water. We have informally referred to this as a “shakedown” period for ensuring a safe and appropriate transition to the new water source. Please feel free to call me if you have any questions. We are pleased to continue to work together. - Bob

Re: Update on feeding orthophosphate?

To
Unknown recipient
Thanks for the update. Any ETA? Do you think this week? Tomorraw? [know there is alot going on. would be very helpful to get an update on your scheciule as soon as you can provide one. 1 xxxEND_PAGE:deq20_b02_058_173_109 Bast wishes, Bob Robert Kaplan Deputy Regional Administrator U.S. EPA Region 5 Phone: (312) 886-1499 Cell: ( Fax: (312) 692-2075 Cc: Michael Glasgow <n m Subject: Re: Update on feeding orthophosphate? Not feeding yet, due to not receiving the spill-containment and electrical wiring change that is complete now. This all must be verified before we can start feeding. Thanks, Natasha L. Henderson, City Administrator City of Flint, Michigan 1101 S. Saginaw St. Flint, ME 48502 Email: nhendersonicivollint com xxxEND_PAGE:deq20_b02_058_173_110 Phone: (810) 237-2057 vein. CRYOM nt corn

Update on feeding orthophosphate?

To
Unknown recipient
Hello Natasha, Is Flint feeding corrosion control yet? I know that Mike said he “jar testing” was ongoing as of last week. It would be helpful to get an update. Thanks very much! - bob Robert Kaplan Deputy Regional Administrator U.S. EPA Region 5 Phone: (312) 886-1499 Fax: (312) 692-2075 xxxEND_PAGE:deq20_b02_058_173_111

Re: Update on feeding

orthophosphate? Not feeding yet, due to not receiving the spill-containment and electrical wiring change that is complete now. This all must be verified before we can start feeding. Thanks, Natasha L. Henderson, City Administrator City of Flint, Michigan 1101 S. Saginaw St. Flint, MI. 48502 Email: Phone: (810) 237-2057 www. cityofflint.com On Mon, Dec 7, 2015 at 12:18 PM, Kaplan, Robert <[email protected]> wrote: Hello Natasha, Is Flint feeding corrosion control yet? I know that Mike said he “jar testing” was ongoing as of last week. It would be helpful to get an update. Thanks very much! - bob Robert Kaplan Deputy Regional Administrator U.S. EPA Region 5 xxxEND_PAGE:deq04_b274_3584_3587_3 Phone: (312) 886-1499 Cell: (312) 515-9827 Fax: (312) 692-2075 xxxEND_PAGE:deq04_b274_3584_3587_4

EPA Flint Task Force -- Draft Preliminary Assesment for discussion

Jim, As we discussed on the call yesterday, I've attached the draft Task Force Recommendations for optimization of corrosion control, both for current water supply and for the switch to KWA water). We wanted to share this draft with MDEQ first and get feedback prior to our meeting on December 11. Note that several sections are omitted pending further discussion, including specific funding estimates and outreach to Flint. Thanks, Bob xxxEND_PAGE:deq20_b10_223_431_194

RE: Release on Monday

Hi Jie, One more thing —i spoke to Natasha on Wednesday. She said that she had not received MDBEO's permit yet. ft could be those documents were sent eisewhere inthe City. i asked her to call you to make sure the permit, calculations, anc transmittal letter had al been sent te Flint. ihope the City has all of this now so corrosion cantrol can proceed as quickly as possible. Thanks. -- Bob Robert Kaplan Deputy Regional Administrator U.S. EPA Region 5 Phone: (312) 886-1499 Cell: j Fax: (312) 692-2075

RE: EPA Task Force comments on letter sending Flint Corrosion Control Permit

Bob, Thanks for the edits. Attached is a copy of the letter sent ta the City of Flint today. We have made some minor edits but did emphasize that EPA is available for doing analysis and that a certified lab rust analyze any sample that will be used tin the calculation of the 90 percentile of the Lead/Copper rule. We also added the additional point for sampling beyond the ten identifies. Thanks for your assistance and your quick turn around. DEG will be sampling 2 more schools on Saturday as we discussed earlier in the week. Plumbing assessments were completed today.

RE: EPA Task Force comments on letter sending Flint Corrosion Control Permit

Bob, Thanks for the edits. Attached is a copy of the letter sent to the City of Flint today. We have made some minor edits but did emphasize that EPA is available for doing analysis and that a certified lab must analyze any sarnple that will be used tin the calculation of the SO percentile of the Lead/Conper rule. We also added the additional point for sampling beyond the ten identifies, Thanks for your assistance and your quick turn around. DEQ will be sarnpting 2 more schools on Saturday as we discussed earlier in the week. Phimbing assessments ware completed today.

EPA Task Force comments on letter sending Flint Corrosion Control Permit

Follow Up Flag: Follow up Flag Status: Flagged Jim, On behalf of the Task Force, thank you for sending us the corrosion control plan letter this morning for our review. Attached please find EPA’s edits to that letter. We also understand that MDEQ will issue an amended permit shortly to take account of the Task Force’s comments sent to you today. EPA encourages the City to take advantage of our offer for analytical support as our laboratory can analyze for a more robust set of parameters. The presence or absence of these additional parameters has provided valuable information and insights in past efforts on identifying potential sources of lead. The Task Force believes Flint should implement the additional corrosion control treatment as soon as possible. The letter and amended permit are an important step in making sure additional corrosion control takes place quickly and appropriately. - Bob Robert Kaplan Deputy Regional Administrator U.S. EPA Region 5 Phone: (312) 886-1499 xxxEND_PAGE:deq20_b02_058_173_055 STATE OF MICHIGAN —_ <_ DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY DEéss. LANSING DISTRICT OFFICE RICK SNYDER DAN WYANT. GOVERNOR DIRECTOR October 30, 2015 Mr. Mike Glasgow Utilities Administrator City of Flint 4500 North Dort Highway Flint, Michigan 48505 Dear Mr. Glasgow: The purpose of this letter is to outli the additional corrosion control trea and Sewerage Department 6, 2015. DWSD/GLWA in in the City water distribution system, customer service ity shall dose additional orthophosphate to increase distribution syst The City has obtained: (Act 399), water syste! Control Station 2 and Pum} October 28, 2015. tion permit for the installation of this treatment equipment at ion 4, construction permit number WW151104, issued on The City should also maintain a minimum pH level of 7.0 throughout the City’s water distribution system. If pH levels of 7.0 or less are detected, the City shall immediately notify the MDEQ. As part of the City water system operations, the City shall conduct: - Daily monitoring of incoming DWSD/GLWA water for pH and for orthophosphate residual, as PO, - Daily monitoring of additional orthophosphate dosage, as PO, - Daily monitoring of water entering the City distribution system for pH and for orthophosphate residual, as PO, CONSTITUTION HALL * 525 WEST ALLEGAN STREET + P.O. BOX 30242 + LANSING, MICHIGAN 48909-7742 www. michigan.gov/deq * (517) 335-6010 xxxEND_PAGE:deq20_b02_058_173_056 Mr. Mike Glasgow 2 October 30, 2015 This information shall be included in the City’s monthly operation report and shall be reported to the MDEQ as required under Administrative Rule 1502 (R 325.11502) of the administrative rules promulgated pursuant to Act 399. Enhanced Water Quality Parameter Monitoring The City’s revised monitoring schedule dated October 22, 2015, requires quarterly Water Quality Parameter Monitoring at 25 sites throughout the City’s water distribution system for temperature (Celcius), Conductivity (mS), pH, Total Alkalinity (mg/L as CaCO), Calcium (mg/L as Ca’*), and orthophosphate (mg/L PO,). Ten of these 25 sites are also used by the City to conduct required total coliform bacteria and chlorine residual monitoring (location numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, CS, and WS). At these ten locations the City shall also conduct weekly monitoring for the following parameters at the same time that total coliform bacteria and chlorine residual monitoring is conducted to further assess water stability: - Turbidity (NTU) - Calcium (mg/L as Ca”) - tron (mg/L) - Chloride (mg/L as CI) - Orthophosphate (mg/L PO,) - Temperature (Celcius) - pH - Conductivity (mS) - Total Alkalinity (mg/L as CaCO,;) If orthophosphate residual levels less than 3.1 mg/L as PO, (1.0 mg/L as P) are detected at any of these locations, then orthophosphate dosage shall be increased to achieve the minimum phosphate residual of 3.1 mg/L as PO, (1.0 mg/L as P) at all locations. In addition, if pH levels of 7.0 or less are detected at any of these locations, the City shall immediately notify the MDEQ. Corrosion Control Treatment Test Loops To further confirm the effectiveness of corrosion control treatment and the City’s operations, it is recommended that the City construct, install, and monitor test loops of service line and plumbing materials. Instructions for construction, installation, and monitoring of these test loops can be obtained from the United States Environmental Protection Agency's (U.S. EPA) Office of Research and Development. The U.S. EPA has also offered to provide analytical services to support this investigative effort. Please contact Mr. Darren Lytle, Acting Branch Chief, at 512-569-7432 or [email protected]. Lead Service Line Verification Sampling The City has been reviewing customer service connection records in order to confirm customer service line materials at each connection. The U.S. EPA has developed a sampling procedure that can be used to help verify the presence of lead service lines and it is recommended that the City conduct this sampling at a selection of customer locations for this purpose. Information regarding this erent sampling can also) be onanies ner Mr. mie Any water analysis for compliance At is expected to be completed by a certified ee The Ci ‘of Flint may wish to conduct this lead service line investigative sampling in cooperation with the U.S. EPA, which has offered to provide analytical services. Customer Household Exposure Assessment DRAFT xxxEND_PAGE:deq20_b02_058_173_057 Mr. Mike Glasgow 3 October 30, 2015 The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is continuing to conduct blood lead level testing for children in the City. Families with children found to have elevated blood lead levels will be asked to have an elevated blood lead level investigation conducted at their residence that will include a lead exposure assessment, including the contribution of lead

RE: We need to discuss today Deliberative

Bob, Attached is a draft of the latter we will be sending today. | believe it addresses this items identified. Michigan utiiizes the Anplication forrn submitted by the annlicant as the ternplate for the construction permit That's why your staff were confused becfause that was part of the annlication. The operation letter is enforceable by regulation in Michigan. Please review the draft quickly. if it needs any changes please get them to me by 3:00pm. We will be sending it out at 4:000m today Do not release this document until signed and sent to the City of Flint

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