Information Items:
Regional Transportation Air Quality Conformity
Staff Resources: Norm Steinman, 704-336-3939 and Eldewins Haynes, 704-336-7621
Last week, the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) forwarded a conformity determination letter stating that the long-range transportation plans for the Mecklenburg-Union, Cabarrus-Rowan and Gaston Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organizations meet the new 8-hour ozone standard. As of June 30, 2005, federal-aid funding of roadway and transit projects can be provided throughout the non-attainment area that includes Mecklenburg, Union, Cabarrus, Rowan, Gaston, and Lincoln Counties and the southern portion of Iredell County.
This is the second transportation air quality conformity analysis that we have prepared this year. In April, we prepared, and the US Environmental Protection Agency approved, a conformity analysis for Mecklenburg County under the previous 1-hour ozone standard.
On June 15, 2005, the new 8-Hour Ozone Standard became effective replacing the 1-Hour standard. To meet the new 8-hour standard, MUMPO did not need to adopt a new long-range transportation plan, but needed to adopt a new conformity determination. CDOT staff worked with staff from the Gaston and Cabarrus-Rowan MPOs and the Lake Norman and Rocky River Rural Planning Organizations (RPOs) to develop the regional, 8-hour conformity analysis and determination report.
Water Sampling
Staff Resource: Doug Bean, 704-391-5070
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities monitors water quality on a daily basis throughout the distribution system. Anytime a sample shows the presence of bacteria, a resampling is conducted. It is common and completely within water safety standards to detect the presence of bacteria in one or two monthly samples out of nearly 300 taken. State water quality requirements are that if more than five percent of samples taken during a month show the presence of bacteria it is a violation requiring public notice.
Between June 1 and the first three days of July, 17 of 286 samples and resamples taken showed the presence of bacteria. This percentage rate of 5.9 percent exceeds the five percent rule. Upon investigation we are certain that 12 of these samples - all taken between June 29 and July 3 in nine locations - were collected using a test sample kit that was contaminated and thus produced false results. A test kit is literally a blue box containing items such as gloves, tissues, vials and measuring equipment.
As soon as samples and resamples were collected using different test kits, the samples were free of any bacteria. In discussing this issue with the County Health Department when the problem was initially found, they confirmed that the type of bacteria found was not a health risk that would cause problems in the water supply. To further our conclusion that the tests were contaminated, the specific bacteria detected has never been found in the water system, yet is found naturally in the environment and could easily have come from the improper handling of the sample supplies.
We have requested from the State that these 12 samples be invalidated. Should the State not agree with this action or not be able to make a determination within 30 days, public notification will need to be given. The Health Department would join in this notification stating that there is no health risk. We will keep Council advised.
