JEFFERSON CITY, MO., OCT. 28, 2004 - The Missouri Clean Water Commission and the Missouri Safe Drinking Water Commission will hold a joint public meeting at 9 a.m. Nov. 3, in the University Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, at 333 John Q. Hammons Parkway, Springfield, Mo.

Department staff will provide several informational presentations on the status of groundwater and drinking water in southwest Missouri. Staff will update both commissions on water quality standards for radionuclides and their potential overlapping issues. The requirements for drinking water treatment for radionuclides may require wastewater treatment plant modifications or upgrades.

Cooperative water quality efforts between the department and the Missouri Department of Health and Human Resources will also be reviewed for commissioners. A standard operating procedure is being developed to help coordinate compliance and enforcement activities related to wastewater and drinking water violations. Both departments are working together to avoid replicating their water protection efforts.

Adjournment for the joint meeting is targeted at 11:30 a.m. The Clean Water Commission and the Safe Drinking Water Commission will then reconvene separately for their regularly scheduled meetings at 1 p.m.

At the Clean Water Commission meeting, department Director Steve Mahfood will address the commission to discuss the state water plan and the review process for Section 319 grant proposals. The director will outline possible strategies for optimum use of 319 funding already designated for watersheds that have formal watershed plans in place.

Staff will also present the final version of the Recreational Use Attainability Analysis Protocol that includes changes requested by the commission at the Sept. 29 meeting. Department staff and representatives from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will give presentations on Combined Sewer Overflow policy.

At the Safe Drinking Water Commission meeting, updates will be given on the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund, the Core Commissioners Workgroup and Safe Drinking Water Commission operating guidelines. Department staff will also give a presentation on the history and background of the primacy fee. The primacy fee is collected by public water systems and is used by the department to fund water testing, technical assistance and complaint investigations.

There will be an opportunity for the public to approach the commissions with any questions or issues related to the commissions' work.

Persons with disabilities requiring special services or accommodations can make arrangements by calling Clean Water Commission Secretary, Marlene Kirchner at 573-751-6721. Hearing impaired persons can contact the program through Relay Missouri at 800-735-2966.

For more information, call the Missouri Department of Natural Resources at 800-361-4827 or contact the Water Protection Program at 573-751-1300.

For department news releases on the Web, visit www.dnr.mo.gov/newsrel. For a complete listing of the department's upcoming events, meetings and hearings, please visit the department's online calendar at www.dnr.mo.gov/calendar/search.do.