Division of Drinking Water and Environmental Management

 Announcements

 
• Proposition 84 Funding: CDPH is pleased to announce that the Draft Second Round Project Priority List (PPL) for Proposition 84, Section 75025 grant funding has been posted for public comment. The 30-day public comment period will close on February 26, 2012.
• Proposed Regulations - Disinfectant Residuals, Disinfection Byproducts, and Disinfection Byproduct Precursors (DPH-09-004):  The proposed regulations, the initial statement of reasons, accompanying documents, and CDPH contact information are available here.  The public comment period ended on January 16, 2012.
• Groundwater Replenishment with Recycled Water:  Pursuant to Water Code Section 13562, CDPH is developing regulations for using recycled water to replenish groundwater basins. Follow this link for the November 21, 2011 draft regulations and other related materials. 
• Follow this link for the latest information about the regulation of chromium-6 (hexavalent chromium) in drinking water. 
• DDWEM has created four LISTSERVs to notify customers when the web site has been updated.  Scroll down for more information about subscribing.

*          *          *          *          *

The California Department of Public Health's Division of Drinking Water and Environmental Management (DDWEM) promotes and maintains a physical, chemical, and biological environment that contributes positively to health, prevents illness, and assures protection of the public.

Here's DDWEM's organization (PDF) for quick reference and program contacts. 

DDWEM's major components are:

• Drinking Water Program. The Drinking Water Program regulates public water systems; promotes and provides information on drought preparedness and water conservation; oversees water recycling projects; certifies residential water treatment devices; certifies drinking water treatment and distribution operators; supports and promotes water system security; provides support for small water systems and for improving technical, managerial, and financial (TMF) capacity; oversees the Drinking Water Treatment and Research Fund for MTBE and other oxygenates; and provides funding opportunities for water system improvements, including funding under Proposition 84, Proposition 50 and the Safe Drinking Water State Revolving Fund.
• Environmental Management Branch (EMB). EMB regulates medical waste generators, shellfish production and harvesting operations, and recreational health (swimming pools and ocean beaches); provides sanitary surveillance of state institutions; oversees radiological surveillance around federal facilities, the state's radon program, and the Medical Waste Management Program; and houses CDPH's Nuclear Emergency Response Program.
• Drinking Water and Radiation Laboratory (DWRL). DWRL provides analytical support to the DDWEM's programs and CDPH's Radiological Health Branch, and, through interagency agreements, to other State agencies. DWRL was formerly known as the Sanitation and Radiation Laboratory.
• Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP). ELAP provides evaluation and accreditation of environmental testing laboratories to ensure the quality of analytical data used for regulatory purposes to meet the requirements of the State's food, drinking water, wastewater, shellfish, and hazardous waste programs.

Click on My Water Quality icon to view the California Water Quality Council’s web portal

LISTSERVs for DDWEM Programs                                                         

DDWEM has created four LISTSERVs to notify customers when the web site has been updated.  Anyone can sign up to receive these notifications.  Subscribing and unsubscribing are done by an automated system.  To subscribe, send a blank email to one or more of the following email addresses.  

• Drinking Water Program Updates: Send blank email to CDPHDDWEMDWP-SUBSCRIBE-REQUEST@MAILLIST.DHS.CA.GOV
• Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program Updates:  Send blank email to CDPHDDWEMELAP-SUBSCRIBE-REQUEST@MAILLIST.DHS.CA.GOV
• Drinking Water and Radiation Laboratory: Send blank email to   CDPHDDWEMDWRL-SUBSCRIBE-REQUEST@MAILLIST.DHS.CA.GOV
• Environmental Management Branch: Send blank email to CDPHDDWEMEMB-SUBSCRIBE-REQUEST@MAILLIST.DHS.CA.GOV

Job Opportunities in DDWEM

For information about job opportunities for engineers in the Drinking Water Program, click here (PDF, 1.1MB)

For additional information about employment in DDWEM, please visit CDPH job opportunities and State Personnel Board jobs.

DDWEM's Programs and Areas of Special Interest

 Here's a list of some of DDWEM's programs and areas of special interest.  Click on a topic (or one of the links above) to find out more: