June 13, 2008

Weekly Update is a publication of Western United Environmental Services (WUES), designed to bring you valuable information and helpful tips for compliance with the Waste Discharge Requirements of the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board.  Each week you will find features on compliance issues, regulatory changes or common questions, as well as workshop notices and introductions to the WUES Technicians. If you have missed any of our past issues, they can be found on our website at http://www.wuenvironmental.com/press.htm.

Operation and Maintenance Plan

Another important element of the July 1 update is the Operation and Maintenance Plan.  A template of this document is available for download from the CDQAP site at http://www.cdqa.org/wdr/binder_documents/spring_2008/O & M Operational Plan 3-4-08 (2).doc.  A version of this document is also available from the Merced County website, however the version listed here is more user friendly.  The Operation and Maintenance Plan is a two part document. Part I is a checklist of operational practices for dairies; all you have to do is check the practices that you are currently using at your facility to manage manure.  Part II is slightly more complicated.  It is a checklist of maintenance practices, and follows the same format as Part I, but it also adds 'frequency' to the mix.  This is the part that is a bit tricky.  For each maintenance practice you have in place, you need to report how frequently it is used.  Some will be quite easy, such as making sure that floor drains are clear and functioning.  That is a daily activity.  Others may be event-driven, such as procedures which are only used in the case of equipment breakdown.  Whatever the practice, think carefully about how frequently it is used, and mark the most appropriate space.  If you are uncertain about how to report an item, call your WUES Technician for assistance.

Staff Changes

WUES is proud to welcome our newest Technician, Brittany Bosma.  Brittany is a recent graduate of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and will be covering the territory in the southern part of the state down to Bakersfield beginning June 17^th.  At this time, we bid farewell to Lea Pereira, who has left WUES to focus on her academic endeavors.