80 FR 63780 - Notice of Public Meeting and Webinar and Request for Comment on the Draft Document “Technologies for Legionella Control: Scientific Literature Review”

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 203 (October 21, 2015)

Page Range		63780-63781
FR Document		2015-26771

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announces the release of a draft document, ``Technologies for Legionella Control: Scientific Literature Review,'' for public review and comment, and a public meeting, during which EPA will be seeking input on the draft document. The purpose of the draft document is to characterize the current state of knowledge regarding the use and effectiveness of available control technologies and approaches that can be used to address Legionella public health concerns in building water systems. The term ``building water system'' refers to the pipe infrastructure inside a building used to deliver finished drinking water intended for human consumption. For the purpose of this draft document, the term excludes cooling towers. The draft document presents scientific information from peer reviewed literature related to control technologies. It does not rank or recommend any one technology over another. EPA developed the document to provide a non-regulatory tool to assist states and primacy agencies, building water system operators and building owners when making decisions about Legionella risk management options. Following the public review and comment opportunity, EPA will conduct an independent, expert peer review of the draft document before it is finalized and published.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 203 (Wednesday, October 21, 2015)

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 203 (Wednesday, October 21, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63780-63781]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-26771]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[EPA-HQ-OW-2015-0595; FRL-9935-88-OW]


Notice of Public Meeting and Webinar and Request for Comment on 
the Draft Document ``Technologies for Legionella Control: Scientific 
Literature Review''

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of public meeting and request for comment.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announces the 
release of a draft document, ``Technologies for Legionella Control: 
Scientific Literature Review,'' for public review and comment, and a 
public meeting, during which EPA will be seeking input on the draft 
document. The purpose of the draft document is to characterize the 
current state of knowledge regarding the use and effectiveness of 
available control technologies and approaches that can be used to 
address Legionella public health concerns in building water systems. 
The term ``building water system'' refers to the pipe infrastructure 
inside a building used to deliver finished drinking water intended for 
human consumption. For the purpose of this draft document, the term 
excludes cooling towers. The draft document presents scientific 
information from peer reviewed literature related to control 
technologies. It does not rank or recommend any one technology over 
another. EPA developed the document to provide a non-regulatory tool to 
assist states and primacy agencies, building water system operators and 
building owners when making decisions about Legionella risk management 
options. Following the public review and comment opportunity, EPA will 
conduct an independent, expert peer review of the draft document before 
it is finalized and published.

DATES: The public meeting will be held on November 9, 2015, from 1:00 
p.m. to 5:30 p.m., eastern time. Persons wishing to attend the meeting 
in-person or online via webinar must register by November 3, 2015, as 
described in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section. EPA will consider 
written comments received prior to November 23, 2015, when preparing 
the document for the external peer review.

ADDRESSES: The public meeting will be held at the EPA Potomac Yard 
South Building, 1st Floor Conference Center (One Potomac Yard, 2777 S. 
Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA 22202). All attendees must show 
government-issued photo identification (e.g., a driver's license) when 
signing in. This meeting will be simultaneously broadcasted as a 
webinar, available on the Internet.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For technical questions, contact 
C[eacute]sar Cordero, Standards and Risk Management Division, Office of 
Ground Water and Drinking Water at (202) 564-3716 or 
[email protected]. For questions regarding registration for the 
public meeting, contact Sarah Rains at (703) 247-6195 or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. General Information

A. What is the scope and the intended audience of the draft document?

    The draft document provides an overview of Legionella ecology, 
physiology, occurrence and other topics relevant to the microorganism; 
an overview of systemic considerations for Legionella control; 
information on the current state of knowledge regarding the use and 
effectiveness of available control technologies for prevention and 
control of Legionella; a discussion about potential water quality 
issues that may result from the use of such technologies; and 
information on optimal operational conditions for the use of control 
technologies. Legionella control issues in cooling towers are beyond 
the scope of the document. The target audience for the document 
includes, but is not limited to, primacy agencies, building water 
system operators, building owners and technology developers and 
vendors.

B. How can I get copies of the draft document and other related 
information, and submit written comments?

    The draft document and other related information will be available 
in the Water Docket, identified by docket identification (ID) number 
EPA-HQ-OW-2015-0595, which is available at http://www.regulations.gov 
or at the Water Docket, Environmental Protection Agency, Room 3334, 
1301 Constitution Ave. NW., Washington, DC. The Public Reading Room is 
open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding 
legal holidays. The telephone number for the Public Reading Room is 
(202) 566-1744, and the telephone number for the Water Docket is (202) 
566-2426. Please review the visitor instructions and additional 
information about the docket, available at http://www2.epa.gov/dockets.
    Comments: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-
OW-2015-0595, to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting 
comments. Do not submit electronically any information you consider to 
be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose 
disclosure is restricted by statute. If you need to include CBI as part 
of your comment, please visit http://www2.epa.gov/dockets/comments.html 
for instructions. The written comment is considered the official 
comment and should include discussion of all points that you wish to 
make about the scientific aspects of the Legionella control 
technologies.
    For additional submission methods, the full EPA public comment 
policy and general guidance on making effective comments, please visit 
http://www2.epa.gov/dockets/comments.html.
    When preparing the document for external peer review, EPA will 
consider written comments received prior to November 23, 2015.

C. How may I participate in this meeting/webinar?

    Persons wishing to attend the public meeting in-person or online 
via webinar must register in advance no later than 5:00 p.m., eastern 
time on November 3, 2015. To register, go online to Eventbrite at 
https://us-epa-legionella-drinking-

[[Page 63781]]

water.eventbrite.com. Teleconferencing will be available for 
individuals participating via the webinar. The number of seats and 
webinar connections available for the meeting is limited and will be 
offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Early registration is 
strongly encouraged to ensure proper accommodations. EPA will do its 
best to include all those interested in either meeting in-person or 
online via webinar.
    At the public meeting, EPA will present an overview of the draft 
document and will solicit public comments about the scientific aspects 
of available Legionella control technologies. The agenda for the public 
meeting will include time for public comment. To ensure adequate time 
for public comment, individuals or organizations interested in making a 
statement should mention their intent when they register.
    Meeting Materials: Meeting materials will be sent by email to the 
registered attendees prior to the public meeting; copies will also be 
provided for attendees at the meeting and available in the Water 
Docket, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2015-0595.
    Special Accommodations: Individuals with disabilities who wish to 
attend the meeting in person can request special accommodations by 
contacting Jini Mohanty at [email protected]. Please allow at least 
five business days prior to the meeting to give EPA time to process 
your request.

II. Background

    Legionella is a bacterium commonly found in aquatic environments. 
It grows best in warm water environments and can be found in premise 
plumbing in large buildings, hot tubs, hot water tanks, decorative 
fountains, large plumbing systems (such as might be found in hospitals) 
and cooling towers. People who breathe in a mist or vapor that has been 
contaminated with Legionella can contract Legionnaire's disease or 
Pontiac fever (both referred to as legionellosis). Legionellosis is a 
major health concern associated with drinking water. Cases of 
legionellosis and fatalities have been associated with the occurrence 
of Legionella in building water systems. In response to the threat to 
public health, some building owners have installed supplemental 
treatment systems to prevent and control for Legionella. Some states 
have requested technical assistance from EPA with regards to evaluating 
effectiveness of control technologies. The agency expects the final 
document will help to further improve public health by helping states, 
building owners and operators make science-based, risk management 
decisions regarding treatment and control of Legionella in buildings.

III. How will the Agency finalize the document?

    Through this notice, EPA is announcing an opportunity for the 
public to provide input on the draft document in writing and/or 
verbally at the public meeting and webinar. EPA will conduct an 
independent, expert peer review following the public review and comment 
period.
    Comments from the public and external peer reviewers will be 
considered as EPA finalizes the document.

IV. What input is the Agency seeking from the public?

    The Agency is particularly interested in input from the public 
related to the following questions:
    1. How well does the document accurately characterize the 
available, peer reviewed literature on the effectiveness of different 
technologies for control of Legionella?
    2. What is your perspective on whether the characterization of each 
technology is balanced and supported by the available, peer reviewed 
scientific information?
    3. What suggestions do you have to improve the document so that it 
can better support informed public health protection decisions and 
avoid or minimize unintended consequences?

    Dated: October 13, 2015.
Kenneth J. Kopocis,
Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of Water.
[FR Doc. 2015-26771 Filed 10-20-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P

63780 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 203 / Wednesday, October 21, 2015 / Notices

and made available in EPA’s electronic the purpose of this draft document, the conditions for the use of control
public docket. If EPA cannot read your term excludes cooling towers. The draft technologies. Legionella control issues
comment due to technical difficulties document presents scientific in cooling towers are beyond the scope
and cannot contact you for clarification, information from peer reviewed of the document. The target audience for
EPA may not be able to consider your literature related to control the document includes, but is not
comment. technologies. It does not rank or limited to, primacy agencies, building
Use of the www.regulations.gov Web recommend any one technology over water system operators, building owners
site to submit comments to EPA another. EPA developed the document and technology developers and vendors.
electronically is EPA’s preferred method to provide a non-regulatory tool to assist B. How can I get copies of the draft
for receiving comments. The electronic states and primacy agencies, building document and other related
public docket system is an ‘‘anonymous water system operators and building information, and submit written
access’’ system, which means EPA will owners when making decisions about comments?
not know your identity, email address, Legionella risk management options.
or other contact information unless you Following the public review and The draft document and other related
provide it in the body of your comment. comment opportunity, EPA will information will be available in the
In contrast to EPA’s electronic public conduct an independent, expert peer Water Docket, identified by docket
docket, EPA’s electronic mail (email) review of the draft document before it identification (ID) number EPA–HQ–
system is not an ‘‘anonymous access’’ is finalized and published. OW–2015–0595, which is available at
system. If you send an email comment http://www.regulations.gov or at the
DATES: The public meeting will be held
directly to the Docket without going Water Docket, Environmental Protection
on November 9, 2015, from 1:00 p.m. to
through www.regulations.gov, your Agency, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution
5:30 p.m., eastern time. Persons wishing
email address is automatically captured Ave. NW., Washington, DC. The Public
to attend the meeting in-person or
and included as part of the comment Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to
online via webinar must register by
that is placed in the official public 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday,
November 3, 2015, as described in the
docket, and made available in EPA’s excluding legal holidays. The telephone
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section.
electronic public docket. number for the Public Reading Room is
EPA will consider written comments
(202) 566–1744, and the telephone
Dated: October 7, 2015. received prior to November 23, 2015,
number for the Water Docket is (202)
Lorie J. Schmidt, when preparing the document for the
566–2426. Please review the visitor
Associate General Counsel. external peer review.
instructions and additional information
[FR Doc. 2015–26782 Filed 10–20–15; 8:45 am] ADDRESSES: The public meeting will be about the docket, available at http://
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
held at the EPA Potomac Yard South www2.epa.gov/dockets.
Building, 1st Floor Conference Center Comments: Submit your comments,
(One Potomac Yard, 2777 S. Crystal identified by Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION Drive, Arlington, VA 22202). All OW–2015–0595, to the Federal
AGENCY attendees must show government-issued eRulemaking Portal: http://
photo identification (e.g., a driver’s www.regulations.gov. Follow the online
[EPA–HQ–OW–2015–0595; FRL–9935–88– license) when signing in. This meeting
OW] instructions for submitting comments.
will be simultaneously broadcasted as a Do not submit electronically any
Notice of Public Meeting and Webinar webinar, available on the Internet. information you consider to be
and Request for Comment on the Draft FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For Confidential Business Information (CBI)
Document ‘‘Technologies for technical questions, contact César or other information whose disclosure is
Legionella Control: Scientific Cordero, Standards and Risk restricted by statute. If you need to
Literature Review’’ Management Division, Office of Ground include CBI as part of your comment,
Water and Drinking Water at (202) 564– please visit http://www2.epa.gov/
AGENCY: Environmental Protection 3716 or cordero.cesar@epa.gov. For dockets/comments.html for instructions.
Agency (EPA). questions regarding registration for the The written comment is considered the
ACTION: Notice of public meeting and public meeting, contact Sarah Rains at official comment and should include
request for comment. (703) 247–6195 or LegionellaMeeting@ discussion of all points that you wish to
cadmusgroup.com. make about the scientific aspects of the
SUMMARY: The U.S. Environmental Legionella control technologies.
Protection Agency (EPA) announces the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
For additional submission methods,
release of a draft document, I. General Information the full EPA public comment policy and
‘‘Technologies for Legionella Control: general guidance on making effective
Scientific Literature Review,’’ for public A. What is the scope and the intended
audience of the draft document? comments, please visit http://
review and comment, and a public www2.epa.gov/dockets/comments.html.
meeting, during which EPA will be The draft document provides an When preparing the document for
seeking input on the draft document. overview of Legionella ecology, external peer review, EPA will consider
The purpose of the draft document is to physiology, occurrence and other topics written comments received prior to
characterize the current state of relevant to the microorganism; an November 23, 2015.
knowledge regarding the use and overview of systemic considerations for
effectiveness of available control Legionella control; information on the C. How may I participate in this
meeting/webinar?
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

technologies and approaches that can be current state of knowledge regarding the
used to address Legionella public health use and effectiveness of available Persons wishing to attend the public
concerns in building water systems. The control technologies for prevention and meeting in-person or online via webinar
term ‘‘building water system’’ refers to control of Legionella; a discussion about must register in advance no later than
the pipe infrastructure inside a building potential water quality issues that may 5:00 p.m., eastern time on November 3,
used to deliver finished drinking water result from the use of such technologies; 2015. To register, go online to Eventbrite
intended for human consumption. For and information on optimal operational at https://us-epa-legionella-drinking-

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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 203 / Wednesday, October 21, 2015 / Notices 63781

water.eventbrite.com. Teleconferencing helping states, building owners and 1990. The Committee advises on
will be available for individuals operators make science-based, risk economic, environmental, technical,
participating via the webinar. The management decisions regarding scientific and enforcement policy
number of seats and webinar treatment and control of Legionella in issues.
connections available for the meeting is buildings. DATES: The meeting will be held on
limited and will be offered on a first- November 18, 2015, tentatively from
III. How will the Agency finalize the
come, first-served basis. Early
document? 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
registration is strongly encouraged to
ensure proper accommodations. EPA Through this notice, EPA is ADDRESSES: The CAAAC will hold its
will do its best to include all those announcing an opportunity for the face-to-face meeting at the Hyatt
interested in either meeting in-person or public to provide input on the draft Regency Crystal City hotel, 2799
online via webinar. document in writing and/or verbally at Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA
At the public meeting, EPA will the public meeting and webinar. EPA 22202.
present an overview of the draft will conduct an independent, expert Inspection of Committee Documents:
document and will solicit public peer review following the public review The committee agenda, confirmed times
comments about the scientific aspects of and comment period. for the meetings, and any documents
available Legionella control Comments from the public and prepared for these meetings will be
technologies. The agenda for the public external peer reviewers will be publicly available on the CAAAC Web
meeting will include time for public considered as EPA finalizes the site at http://www.epa.gov/oar/caaac/
comment. To ensure adequate time for document. prior to the meeting. Thereafter, these
public comment, individuals or documents, together with CAAAC
IV. What input is the Agency seeking meeting minutes, will also be available
organizations interested in making a
from the public? on the CAAAC Web site or by
statement should mention their intent
when they register. The Agency is particularly interested contacting the Office of Air and
Meeting Materials: Meeting materials in input from the public related to the Radiation Docket and requesting
will be sent by email to the registered following questions: information under docket EPA–HQ–
attendees prior to the public meeting; 1. How well does the document OAR–2004–0075. The docket office can
copies will also be provided for accurately characterize the available, be reached by email at: a-and-r-Docket@
attendees at the meeting and available peer reviewed literature on the epa.gov or FAX: 202–566–9744.
in the Water Docket, identified by effectiveness of different technologies FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–OW–2015– for control of Legionella? more information about the CAAAC,
0595. 2. What is your perspective on please contact Jim Ketcham-Colwill,
Special Accommodations: Individuals whether the characterization of each Interim Designated Federal Officer
with disabilities who wish to attend the technology is balanced and supported (DFO), Office of Air and Radiation, U.S.
meeting in person can request special by the available, peer reviewed EPA by email at ketcham-colwill.jim@
accommodations by contacting Jini scientific information? epa.gov or by telephone at (202) 564–
Mohanty at mohanty.jini@epa.gov. 3. What suggestions do you have to
1676. Additional information about this
Please allow at least five business days improve the document so that it can
meeting, the CAAAC, and its
prior to the meeting to give EPA time to better support informed public health
subcommittees and workgroups can be
process your request. protection decisions and avoid or
found on the CAAAC Web site: http://
minimize unintended consequences?
II. Background www.epa.gov/oar/caaac/.
Dated: October 13, 2015. For information on access or services
Legionella is a bacterium commonly
Kenneth J. Kopocis, for individuals with disabilities, please
found in aquatic environments. It grows
best in warm water environments and Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of contact Lorraine Reddick at (202) 564–
Water. 1293 or reddick.lorraine@epa.gov,
can be found in premise plumbing in
large buildings, hot tubs, hot water [FR Doc. 2015–26771 Filed 10–20–15; 8:45 am] preferably at least 10 days prior to the
tanks, decorative fountains, large BILLING CODE 6560–50–P meeting to give EPA as much time as
plumbing systems (such as might be possible to process your request.
found in hospitals) and cooling towers. Dated: October 9, 2015.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
People who breathe in a mist or vapor Jim Ketcham-Colwill,
AGENCY
that has been contaminated with Interim Designated Federal Officer, Clean Air
Legionella can contract Legionnaire’s [FRL–9935–86–OAR] Act Advisory Committee, Office of Air and
disease or Pontiac fever (both referred to Radiation.
as legionellosis). Legionellosis is a major Clean Air Act Advisory Committee [FR Doc. 2015–26770 Filed 10–20–15; 8:45 am]
health concern associated with drinking (CAAAC): Notice of Meeting BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
water. Cases of legionellosis and AGENCY: Environmental Protection
fatalities have been associated with the Agency (EPA).
occurrence of Legionella in building ACTION: Notice of meeting.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
water systems. In response to the threat AGENCY
to public health, some building owners SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection
have installed supplemental treatment Agency (EPA) announces an upcoming [FRL 9935–91–Region 1]
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

systems to prevent and control for public meeting of the Clean Air Act Proposed CERCLA Administrative
Legionella. Some states have requested Advisory Committee (CAAAC). The Cost Recovery Settlement: Peabody
technical assistance from EPA with EPA established the CAAAC on Street Asbestos Superfund Site,
regards to evaluating effectiveness of November 19, 1990, to provide Salem, Massachusetts
control technologies. The agency independent advice and counsel to EPA
expects the final document will help to on policy issues associated with AGENCY: Environmental Protection
further improve public health by implementation of the Clean Air Act of Agency (EPA).

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Document Created: 2018-02-27 08:53:57
Document Modified: 2018-02-27 08:53:57

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice of public meeting and request for comment.
Dates		The public meeting will be held on November 9, 2015, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., eastern time. Persons wishing to attend the meeting in-person or online via webinar must register by November 3, 2015, as described in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section. EPA will consider written comments received prior to November 23, 2015, when preparing the document for the external peer review.
Contact		For technical questions, contact C[eacute]sar Cordero, Standards and Risk Management Division, Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water at (202) 564-3716 or [email protected] For questions regarding registration for the public meeting, contact Sarah Rains at (703) 247-6195 or [email protected]
FR Citation		80 FR 63780