We're looking for our next Outdoor Pro Award winner! Nominate a friend, a colleague or yourself! It's fast, easy and a great way to help advance the efforts of Outdoor Pros, like you, to improve our habitat! The Ben Meadow's Outdoor Professional Award was established to honor outdoor professionals who make a difference. Winners are selected by a panel of fellow outdoor pros here at Ben Meadows Company from a list of individuals nominated by you. Outdoor Pros are recognized by Ben Meadows through a profile in our catalog and on our Web site. A $500 award will be presented directly to the winner. An additional $500 will be awarded to a charity or other organization designated by each winner. Nominating an outdoor pro for this award is easy. Click here for our handy online nomination form or write to us at: Outdoor Pro Award c/o S. Lierk Ben Meadows Company 401 S. Wright Road Janesville, WI 53546 Email: s.lierk@benmeadows.com When you send your nomination, we'll send you a FREE hat!

Is That Perfectly Clear?
Monitoring Turbidity, Chlorine and Color in Water

Turbidity could be considered the measurement of the relative clarity of water. Turbid water is caused by suspended and colloidal matter such as clay, silt, organic and inorganic matter, and microscopic organisms. Turbidity is an optical property that results when light passing through a liquid sample is scattered. Light scattered by the particles allows the particles to be “seen” or detected in solution.

Turbid water may be the result of soil erosion, urban run-off, algal blooms and bottom sediment disturbances in natural waters. Turbidity concerns in drinking water have increased in recent years based on the emergence of pathogens such as Cryptosporidium and Giardia. Turbidity measurements now hold the key to assuring proper water filtration. Water systems using surface water or ground water influenced by surface water must meet EPA guidelines of 0.3 NTU or below for combined filter effluent. By doing so, the EPA hopes to achieve a 99% removal rate of Cryptosporidium. The trend is to check on-line turbidimeters with hand-held units such as the TC-3000. The optical design and low detection limit allow more precise readings for such applications.

The beverage industry also needs to ensure the clarity of their process waters. The American Society of Brewing Chemists (ASBC) units and European Brewery Convention (EBC) units allow the brewing industry to check process waters against standards.

In addition to turbidity measurements, chlorine levels are monitored in our drinking water supplies to make sure the water is safe to drink. Chlorine is a common sanitizer and can be added to water supplies in various forms. The current EPA limit for chlorine is 4.0 ppm. The amount of chlorine used to process industrial water, however, may be higher than this.

Many states also establish limits on the amount of chlorine that can be discharged into a body of water after waste processing. These levels are generally less than 0.1ppm. The colorimetric DPD method is widely used to measure chlorine, as it meets EPA criteria. With the aid of electronics as in the TC-3000, the intensity of the pink color produced by the DPD can be measured. The color produced is in direct proportion to the chlorine concentration.

Color in water supplies may be caused by many different dissolved or suspended materials. These can include metals (iron and manganese), humus and peat materials, plankton, and industrial wastes. The color may be a problem when water is used for particular beverage and industrial applications, and potable water supplies.

In natural waters, the amount of color may hinder the amount of sunlight that can penetrate the water, therefore harming submerged plants that depend on light for photosynthesis.

Color can be measured by comparing samples to APHA (American Public Health Association) color standards made from dilutions of chloroplatinate and cobalt. A meter such as the TC-3000 can electronically measure color when calibrated to the APHA standards. The meter measures the amount of light passing through a sample at a specific wavelength.

NPDES and Stormwater Program Guidelines

The Stormwater Program is mandated by Congress under the Clean Water Act. It’s a two phased program for addressing non-agricultural sources of stormwater discharges that adversely affect our nation’s water ways. The prog ram uses the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting requirements in order to implement controls designed to prevent pollutants from being washed by stormwater into local bodies of water.

If you’re an operator of an MS4 (municipal separate storm sewer system) or operate one of 11 recognized industrial facilities that discharge to an MS4, you most likely need an NPDES permit. Construction activities disturbing one or more acres will also need to obtain a permit. Those industrial facilities include:

• Manufacturing facilities
• Hazardous waste treatment and storage
• Landfills
• Sewage treatment plants
• Recycling facilities
• Power plants
• Mining operations
• Oil and gas operations*
• Airports
• Transportation facilities
• Construction activities
*There has been another extension for the permit deadline covering Stormwater Discharges for Oil and Gas Activity that Disturbs One to Five Acres. The extension postpones the deadline until June 12, 2006. For more information, please see 40 CFR Part 122.

Along with the permit, the regulated entities must also implement stormwater pollution prevention plans. These plans must include Best Management Practices (BMPs) to reduce or prevent discharge into the nation’s water. BMPs include:

• Public education and outreach
• Public participation and involvement
• Illicit discharge detection and elimination
• Construction site runoff control
• Post-construction runoff control
• Pollution prevention and good housekeeping

Now for the new stuff! Through funding from the EPA, the Center for Watershed Protection and Dr. Robert Pitt of the University of Alabama have been researching the most cost effective ways to detect and remove illicit discharges into storm drainage systems. The Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination Guidance Manual provides guidance for all entities complying with Phase I and II of the NPDES Stormwater Program and also includes advice for conducting public outreach and awareness activities as part of watershed restoration projects.

You can download the final version of the manual for free by clicking here and providing a small amount of basic information:

http://cwp.org.master.com/texis/master/search/+/form/New_IDDE.html

Don't miss out on exclusive, online savings!
	Ben's Bargains is the place to be for low prices on top quality products. One look and you'll discover exclusive, online savings on the products you want and need. We're adding new supplies and equipment often so check out Ben's Bargains today!

Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasures

On July 17th, 2002 the EPA revised and strengthened the Oil Pollution and Prevention Rule (40 CFR 112). Facilities subject to the Rule must prepare and implement a plan to prevent any discharge of oil into or upon navigable waters of the U.S. including groundwater or adjoining shorelines. This plan is called the Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasures (SPCC) plan.

Facilities with a combined above-ground oil storage capacity greater than 1,320 gallons or a completely buried storage capacity greater than 42,000 gallons must comply. In calculating the storage capacity, all containers with a capacity greater than 55 gallons are included.

The SPCC Plan must address:
1. Operating procedures the facility implements to prevents oil spills
2. Control measures installed to prevent oil from entering navigable waters
3. Countermeasures to contain, clean up and mitigate the effects of oil spills

Deadlines for compliance:
1. Facilities must have a written SPCC Plan in place by February 17, 2006
2. Plans must be implemented by August 18, 2006

So what needs to be done? All qualifying drums and tanks must have secondary containment and be included in the written plan. Secondary containment is also required for loading and unloading areas for tanker trucks and railcars. Secondary containment must be equal to the largest vessel. In the case of a railcar, the containment area must provide a means to divert a significant spill to a retention pond, oil/water separator, etc.

The plan must include a facility diagram, and must mark the location and contents of each container. Secondary containment must be constructed so that any discharge from a primary containments system will not escape before cleanup occurs.

To review the SPCC regulation, check out the following link (and scroll down to the EPA portion):

http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPAFR-CONTENTS/2002/July/Day-17/contents.htm

For a list of secondary containment products, check out the following from our Web site:

http://www.benmeadows.com/store/dept.asp?dept_id=6194

Keeping Your Drinking Water Well Safe

Private, individual drinking water wells are the sole responsibility of their owners. That doesn't mean these well owners are completely on their own. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has published a number of steps to help well owners protect their drinking water supply.

The EPA recommends that your well be tested yearly for total coliform bacteria, nitrates, total dissolved solids, and pH levels. If you suspect other contaminants, test for those as well. Testing more than once a year may be warranted for the following special situations:

• Someone in your household pregnant or nursing
• There are unexplained illnesses in your family
• Your neighbors find a dangerous contaminant in their water
• You note a change in water taste, color, order or clarity
• There is a chemical or fuel spill near your well
• When you have maintenance work done on your well

Identifying potential problems is the first step to safeguarding your drinking water. To start your search for potential problems begin close to home. Survey the surroundings around your home and look for the following:

• Is there livestock nearby?
• Are pesticides being used nearby?
• Do you fertilize your lawn?
• Is your well downstream from your neighbor’s septic tank?
• Are highways in your area frequently salted or sprayed with deicers during winter months?
• Do your neighbors dispose of household waste, motor oil or antifreeze in their backyard, even in small amounts?

If any of these occur it may be best to have your water tested and talk to your local public heath department or agricultural extension agent to find ways to change the nearby practices that can affect your private well.

For more information on private drinking wells use the following link to the EPA’s safewater home page:

http://www.epa.gov/safewater/privatewells/index2.html

---

Sophie just won a new GPS! You could win one, too if you're registered at benmeadows.com! Garmin® GPS Map 76 Register to win here.

We're giving away a new Garmin® GPS Map 76 (a $300 value) to someone registered on benmeadows.com. Could you be next? Registering is free, fast, easy and pays off with exclusive, online savings, valuable information and your chance to win! If you're already registered, let a colleague know about this great way to win!

CONGRATULATIONS TO SOPHIE FROM HANOVER, NH! Sophie is July's winner of a Garmin GPS Map 76 from benmeadows.com. You could be our next winner just by registering! And remember, as long as you remain registered, you remain eligible to win! Register today!

---

CONTACT INFORMATION

If you have any specific questions about product specifications, applications or compliance issues, call one of our Technical Support Specialists at 1-800-241-6401 or e-mail them at: mailto:tech@benmeadows.com. 

If you have any questions about the list or its contents, send e-mail to the Editor at: mailto:J.Schaffer@benmeadows.com. 

The Natural Resource is copyrighted by Lab Safety Supply, Inc., Ben Meadows Company is a division of Lab Safety Supply, Inc. Those wishing to re-publish a written piece in any other form or medium must first receive permission from Lab Safety Supply, Inc. To request permission, e-mail: mailto:m.bussan@labsafety.com. 

The goal of The Natural Resource is to provide accurate information on the subject matters covered. However, it is impossible to guarantee absolute accuracy of the materials. Therefore, the publisher cannot assume any responsibility for omissions, errors or misprinting contained within this publication. Lab Safety Supply, Inc. P.O. Box 1368, Janesville, WI 53547-1368, USA Tel: 800-356-0783 Fax: 800-543-9910 http://www.labsafety.com

Feel free to pass The Natural Resource along to a friend or colleague. If they like what they see, they can SUBSCRIBE by sending an email to listserv@listserv.labsafety.com with the words SUBSCRIBE BENMEADOWS-L in the body of the email.

You subscribed to Ben Meadow's The Natural Resource E-mail Newsletter when you ordered from Ben Meadows, or when you subscribed online at benmeadows.com, or when you requested a Ben Meadow's catalog.

To be sure you continue to receive Ben Meadow's The Natural Resource E-mail Newsletter in the future, add the e-mail address newswire@benmeadows.com to your address book or “white list.” This will help improve deliverability as many anti-spam systems check your e-mail address book to know which senders are allowed to send you e-mail messages.

Our privacy statement is available for you to review.

SUBSCRIPTION COMMANDS

You may UNSUBSCRIBE from The Natural Resource at any time by clicking here.

Ben Meadows Company is a division of Lab Safety Supply, Inc. P.O. Box 1368, Janesville, WI 53547, USA Tel: 800-241-6401 Fax: 800-628-2068 http://www.benmeadows.com