Pa. DEP Operator eLearning Center

A fine material made up mostly of the skeletal remains of single cell, microscopic algae with a rigid, box-like internal structure consisting mainly of silica.

• (DBP40) Enhanced Coagulation – Basics (1280)

Substances that are added for the purpose of killing or inactivating the pathogenic (disease-causing) bacteria found in water.

• (DBP01) DBP Rule – Overview (1282)
• (DBP02) DBP Rule Monitoring and Reporting – Job Aids (1283)
• (DBP10) DBP Rule Monitoring and Reporting for Chlorine⁄Chloramines (1284)
• (DBP13) DBP Rule Monitoring and Reporting for TTHM⁄HAA5 (1285)

Organic substances that combine with disinfectants to form potentially carcinogenic compounds such as HAA5’s and TTHM’s.

• (DBP43) Jar Testing for Process Control of Conventional Filtration: Part 1 (2019)

In the double layer compression mechanism large quantities of a salt that has no charge (neutral) are added. The salt works by compressing the double layer around the colloid. When the outer layer is compressed, the repulsive energy barrier around the colloid is reduced or eliminated. This allows the particles to combine.

• (COA01) Coagulation – Part 1: The Chemistry of Coagulation (1248)

Drinking Water Electronic Laboratory Reporting (DWELR)

A web-based application that provides a means for laboratories that are accredited by or registered with DEP’s Bureau of Laboratories to submit their drinking water sample data to DEP’s public drinking water program.

•  (TCR02) Total Coliform Rule – Monitoring And Reporting Requirements (1425)

ERP - Emergency Response Plan

Contains policies, authorities, concept of operations, legal constraints, responsibilities, and emergency functions to be performed. Agency response plans, responder SOPs and specific incident action plans are developed from this strategic document.

• (PNR01) Public Notification – An Introduction for NCWSs (2332)

Coliform bacteria (microorganisms) found in the intestinal tract of warm-blooded animals (including humans). Unlike total coliforms, which include a number of normal soil inhabitants that are harmless, fecal coliforms are more reliable indicators of fecal contamination, which may result in the spread of intestinal disease.

• (TCR01) Total Coliform Rule – Overview (1424)
• (TCR02) Total Coliform Rule – Monitoring And Reporting Requirements (1425)
• (TCR03) Total Coliform Rule – Maintaining Compliance (1426)

The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) was established to protect the quality of drinking water in the U.S. This law focuses on all waters actually or potentially designed for drinking use, whether from aboveground or underground sources. The Act authorized EPA to establish safe standards of purity and required all owners or operators of public water systems to comply with primary (health-related) standards. State governments, which assume this power from EPA, also encourage attainment of secondary standards (aesthetic-related).

• (PNR10) Public Notification - An Introduction for NCWSs (2332)
• (PNR11) Public Notification - Violations and Tiers for NCWSs (2333)

An appealable notice given when, upon inspection, DEP staff determines a regulated facility has not attempted to correct a violation. These provide the facility with a time frame in which to correct the problem considered to be an imminent threat to human health and environment.

• (TCR01) Total Coliform Rule – Overview (1424)
• (TCR02) Total Coliform Rule – Monitoring And Reporting Requirements (1425)
• (TCR03) Total Coliform Rule – Maintaining Compliance (1426)

Masses of non-settleable microorganisms and particles that come together to form progressively larger, heavier particles.