Public Sector Influence: Public Water Quality

To narrow the discussion from last weeks blog, this post will focus specifically on the role of the public sector and associated policies in facilitating safe and clear water for the public.

First one must understand what constitutes the public sector.  It is not always clear what organizations should be included under the umbrella of “Public Sector”.  Generally speaking the public sector is comprised of publicly funded, non-profit government organizations that provide goods or services to its citizens (IIA, 2011).  These organizations or agencies can be

The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) provides clarification on this topic here.  For simplification, the image below can be used.  The colored rings depict public sector. IIA, 2011

Public water systems (PWS) are the predominant public sector divisions that influence public water supply.  There are approximately 163,000 PWS nation wide (DHS, 2018).

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) is a public sector agency in Arizona that exists to protect and enhance both public and environmental health.  The ADEQ administers federal programs and state laws to ensure environmental protection.  ADEQ oversees greater than 85% of the states’ PWS (ADEQ, 2018).  A PWS is defined as a system that has at least 15 hook-ups and serves a minimum of 25 people.  These are predominately managed at the city, state, or federal level.  Some operate from other political division, such as a district or co-op, and even fewer are managed by private, for profit companies (which would be an exception to the public sector involvement) (ADEQ, 2018).  Regardless of who is overseeing the PWS, they all must comply to the federal safe drinking water act (SDWA) set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to protect public water supply and the Arizona Drinking Rule.  In Arizona PWS supply water to over 6 million people.  In Phoenix, Maricopa County’s drinking water program regulates local PWS to ensure compliance with SDWA.  The ADEQ oversees the county and state facilities located in Maricopa county.

The process of PWS treatment is illustrated below.

Although there is involvement of private and volunteer sectors (which will be discussed in my next post) in public water supply management, the public sector carries the majority of the responsibility.

Another important element of the public sector is the public’s ability to access and participate in policy advocacy.  The ADEQ established the Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) which allows public access to data and information about the regulated PWS.  Through SDWIS public concerns can be communicated directly to members of ADEQ, and public notices are posted on the ADEQ website when meetings are held.  The ADEQ also provides community outreach and education through workshops and seminars.

 

References

Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. (2018). Water quality division: Safe drinking water. Retrieved from: http://legacy.azdeq.gov/environ/water/dw/SDW_Public.html

Department of Homeland Security. (2018). Water and waste sector. Retrieved from: https://www.dhs.gov/water-and-wastewater-systems-sector

Environmental Protection Agency. (2018). Safe drinking water act. Retrieved from: https://www.epa.gov/sdwa

Institute of Internal Auditors. (2011). Supplemental guidance: Public sector definition. Retrieved from: https://na.theiia.org/standards-guidance/Public%20Documents/Public%20Sector%20Definition.pdf

Maricopa County. (2018) Water quality. Retrieved from: https://www.maricopa.gov/2353/Water-Quality

Who has the Pen: Water Laws and Regulations.

As with any issue concerning public policy, there are multiple levels of influence, that ultimately determine the regulation regarding the number and level of existing pollutants in AZ water, safety of water sources, and public awareness in Phoenix. However, these influences are not equally distributed, and mimic closely the top down model of the executive branch of government (Kingdon, 2010). In this post I will discuss some of the prominent actors that effect policy on Arizona water safety, as well as the statutes and regulations in place regarding this issue.

It may seem logical to look to the local water treatment facility as the power to be in providing clean safe water.  However, the reality is that the job of the local treatment facility is to follow the instructions and regulations that are determined at both the State and Federal level.  Thus the issue of water contamination starts much further upstream.

The Actors

When it comes to the safety and protection of natural resources the Presidential Administration has historically been, and continues to be perhaps one of the most important players in determining the policies and laws around this issue. The Administration’s agenda has direct and indirect effects on the processes in place, and the resources necessary to prevent, contain, and dispose of pollutants in our water and environment.

To help put this into perspective we will look at two key players in our current Administration. President Donald Trump and his appointed administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Scott Pruitt, are at the root of the issue. President trump and his administration came into office with a agenda of reducing “big” government by slashing rules and regulations. Since taking office president trump and republican congress have sought to rescind more than 60 environment regulations.  Mr. Pruitt has served to be a powerful tool for Mr. Trump’s agenda.  His shared interest in the fossil fuels industry, and view on global warming has allowed the direction of the EPA to be guided by those which it regulates.

The Washington Post demonstrates the position of influence Mr. Pruitt has within the EPA through multiple expert interviewers, which is highlighted below.

“Vested in the administrator is this incredible power and this incredible regulatory reach,” said Ken Cook, president of the advocacy organization Environmental Working Group. “When there’s someone on the inside willing to unlock the door and let these special interests in, they can do tremendous damage to the environmental rule of law.”

Non Government Influence

Although the influence is heavily distributed to “the top”, it does not mean there isn’t meaningful influence outside of the government that helps shape and form the laws and regulations regarding water. In fact local Universities such as University of Arizona and Arizona State University work with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) to combine efforts in research, monitoring, and pro-active management. Through their efforts these institutions and organizations influence decisions and laws locally and nationally that affect the release of pollutants, means to monitor them, and proper disposal.

Another important organization to recognize on this front is the Environmental working group which I have discussed in previous blog posts. Check out their video below to understand their role in protecting the environment and influencing public policy.

The Laws

There are two Federal Statutes regulated by the EPA. The Clean Water Act (CWA) was first issued in 1948 and was last updated in 1972. Under the CWA the EPA has established pollution control programs and set industry standards for waste water. The Safe Drinking water Act, which I discuss in greater detail in my first post, was founded in 1972 and requires operators of public water systems to comply with the EPA standards for identified contaminants.

Title 49 chapter 2 outlines Arizona state law regarding water standards. This chapter includes 12 articles and addresses public rights, water standards, and processes. These are monitored and enforced through the ADEQ and The Maricopa County Environmental Services Department.

Wrap up

I hope this post provides some insight into the major players involved in determining the federal and local safety laws that govern our water supply.  One must understand that these individuals and processes are merely the tip of the iceberg when it comes to safe water practices.  The resources provided in this review allow for the ability to grasp the magnitude of water laws, and how we can help shape them.

References:

Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. At a glance. Retrieved from: http://legacy.azdeq.gov/function/forms/download/adeq_brochure.pdf

Arizona State Legislature. (2018). Title 49. Retrieved from: https://www.azleg.gov/arsDetail/?title=49

Arizona State University. (2009). Arizona water institute. Retrieved from: https://sustainability.asu.edu/research/project/arizona_water_institute/

City of Phoenix, (2017). Understanding Phoenix’s water quality. Retrieved from: https://www.phoenix.gov/waterservices/waterquality

Dennis, B. & Eilperin, J. (2017). How scott Pruitt turned the EPA in one of Trump’s most powerful tools. Retrieved from: https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/under-scott-pruitt-a-year-of-tumult-and-transformation-at-epa/2017/12/26/f93d1262-e017-11e7-8679-a9728984779c_story.html?utm_term=.64d450ba3832

Environmental Protection Agency. (2017).Summary of the clean water act. Retrieved from: https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/summary-clean-water-act

Environmental Working Group (2018). About us. Retrieved from: https://www.ewg.org/about-us#.WoEoMoJG2gR

Greshka, M. Parker, L. & Clark-Howard, B. (2018). A running list of how trump is changing the environment. Retrieved from: https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2017/03/how-trump-is-changing-science-environment/

Kingdon. (2010). Agendas, Alternatives, and Public Policies, Update Edition (2^nd ed.). London: Longman Publishing Group.

Maricopa County (2018). Environmental Services. Retrieved from: http://www.maricopa.gov/631/Environmental-Services

Popocich, N., Albeck-Ripka, L. Pierre-Louis, K. (2018). 67 environmental rules on the way out under trump. Retrieved from: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/10/05/climate/trump-environment-rules-reversed.html

University of Arizona (2018). Environment. Retrieved from: http://www.portal.environment.arizona.edu/

Worland, J. (2018). The EPA head has a new arguments: Maybe climate change will be good. Retrieved from: http://time.com/5139589/scott-pruitt-climate-change-epa/