Alderman Lawson has worked closely with community groups, residents and property owners to identify and preserve significant buildings and districts in the ward. Since 2003, there have been eight new…
Read More »Search Results for: JN0-452 Übungstest: Mist AI Wireless, Specialist (JNCIS-MistAI-Wireless) - JN0-452 Braindumps Prüfung 🍗 Suchen Sie auf ✔ www.itzert.com ️✔️ nach kostenlosem Download von ▛ JN0-452 ▟ 🆔JN0-452 Prüfungsvorbereitung
Chicago Department of Water Management Announces Plans to Explore Lead Service Line Replacement
CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF WATER MANAGEMENT
ANNOUNCES PLANS TO EXPLORE LEAD SERVICE LINE REPLACEMENT
Chicago stays at forefront of water quality efforts
Over past two decades, Chicago has reduced the percentage of children with elevated blood levels of lead from 25 percent to less than one percent – the key health measure for lead
Continuing Chicago’s proactive approach on the issue of lead, the Chicago Department of Water Management (DWM) announced that it is commissioning a report to determine the feasibility and framework of what would be a multi-billion dollar program to potentially replace lead service lines – the pipes that connect water mains to single family and two-flat homes – across the city. The report will develop a step-by-step phased replacement program, review industry practices, investigate available technology and assess funding options, including potential federal and state funding sources.
“The safety of Chicago’s water is our top priority; Chicago’s water consistently meets or exceeds all standards set by the U.S. EPA, Illinois EPA and drinking water industry,” said DWM Commissioner Randy Conner. “Not only will this report ensure that Chicago remains a leader in water quality efforts, the report will help Chicagoans continue to have a high degree of confidence in their water.”
DWM has engaged CDM Smith, a global engineering firm, to evaluate the total cost and multiple factors involved in replacing lead service lines.
Lead service lines are the pipes connecting water mains to homes. They are owned by and located on a homeowner’s property and are traditionally found in older single family and two-flat homes built before 1986. Addressing this legacy infrastructure problem would make Chicago the largest city in the nation to explore a complete lead service line replacement program, which would likely cost several billion dollars over multiple decades.
Once complete in the spring, the firm will present a report containing recommendations tailored to Chicago that would facilitate the replacement of lead service lines. CDM Smith has expertise in this field, and is the primary consultant for lead service line replacement projects in other cities.
This report will build on Chicago’s strong record of being a leader in water quality and in addressing the issue of lead for children, who are the most vulnerable to its health effects.
Chicago’s fight against children’s lead exposure has significantly reduced the percentage of children with elevated blood levels of lead – the key health measure for lead. Today, less than one percent of children develop elevated lead levels as compared to 25 percent in the late 1990s. Since 2016, CDPH has offered water testing when conducting inspections for children with elevated lead levels. Of those tested, no child with an elevated blood level lived in a home where the water had elevated lead levels. The city’s water also meets or exceeds all state and federal standards for lead, and passed its U.S. EPA review last month.
“The city’s work to address lead based paint hazards in recent decades has led to a significant reduction in the percentage of children with elevated blood lead levels,” said CDPH Commissioner Julie Morita, M.D., who noted the primary cause of elevated blood lead levels in children is lead-based paint. “Even with this progress, we are committed to continuing our efforts to protect the public from exposure to lead.”
The city also provided an update on another ongoing study related to water quality. In 2016, DWM launched a first-of-its kind study to determine the possible impact of water main construction and meter installation on water quality because no comprehensive scientific study had previously explored the topic.
While the study is ongoing, preliminary data indicates that the water main replacement program is not producing large changes in lead concentrations. As such, no changes are warranted to the city’s 10 year capital plan to replace century-old water mains and aging sewer mains that is in progress.
Additionally, the ongoing study is examining the possible impact of water meter installation on water quality. Preliminary data from a small sample size indicates that meter installation may raise lead levels in a portion of homes, though more than 80 percent of homes tested in the study did not have lead levels above the EPA action level after the installation of a meter. The sampling approach taken in the study is more rigorous than the sampling used for EPA testing, and again, Chicago passed its regular water quality review by the EPA last month.
More study is needed to analyze the relationship between water meter installation and lead levels, as the increase may not be related to the meter. For example, these homes may have higher lead levels because of low water usage, which would mean the protective phosphate coating isn’t sufficiently covering the home’s lead service lines and preventing that lead from entering the water.
While initial data shows that 82.8 percent of the 296 homes in the meter portion of the study did not have an increase in water lead levels after meter installation, the city will take several actions out of an abundance of caution. Going forward, residents must provide informed consent and agree to before and after testing in order to have a meter installed. Further, homes getting a meter going forward will be given a free water filter set that includes a pitcher and six filters to use since test results will not be instantaneously available. DWM will also be contacting residents who have had a meter installed previously to notify them that they have the option of requesting a water filter set, starting with the most recent installations first and working backward. In addition, any household that previously tested above the EPA action level will also receive a water filter set free of charge.
As was the case previously, flushing the system – or running water continuously for at least five minutes after not using water for six hours– is encouraged for those concerned about lead levels, as studies show that in almost every case, flushing for at least five minutes provides virtually lead-free water that comes directly from the water main. Flushing should be done prior to using water for drinking or cooking, and residents may already flush without realizing it, as ways to flush include taking a shower, washing clothes or running the dishwasher. Additionally, as has long been the case, any resident may call 311 to request that their water be tested for free. If any residence tests over the EPA action level, DWM immediately notifies the resident and sends a plumber, sanitary engineer and an electrician to investigate a number of possible contributing factors and create a mitigation plan for the homeowner. The results of all tests are posted online at www.chicagowaterquality.org, with homeowners’ identifying information removed.
North Lake Shore Drive Study Public Input Opportunity
Help us continue to improve North Lake Shore Drive!
Let your voice be heard! The Illinois Department of Transportation and the Chicago Department of Transportation invite you to provide feedback concerning the improvement of U.S. 41 (North Lake Shore Drive) from Grand Avenue to Hollywood Avenue in Chicago. Since the last public meeting, the project team has evaluated criteria and narrowed the range of alternatives. We want to hear from you! Due to ongoing health concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic, this Public Meeting (#4) will be conducted online through an interactive website. There are multiple opportunities to provide feedback!
Interactive Website
We have created a clearinghouse of materials, interactive exhibits, and an audio-visual presentation to provide a refresher on the project and help you review project updates. The interactive site is live:
Input can be provided through the interactive website in multiple ways:
- Use the interactive map to comment and provide input on the proposed improvements
- Complete a survey to tell us how you use the Drive and lakefront and share your priorities
- Review the project exhibits and leave notes in the comment area
- Sign up for a small group discussion with the project team (time slots are still available and registration is open until October 12)
Virtual Public Meeting Flyer (English)
Virtual Public Meeting Flyer (Spanish)
Written comments can be submitted through the interactive website, project website, or mailed to the project team. Comments received by November 9, 2020 will become part of the official public meeting record.
Sincerely,
The North Lake Shore Drive Project Team
Please stay up to date with the project with the social media links below and our website: www.NorthLakeShoreDrive.org
Chicago Water Quality: Lead Plans
Chicago’s Water is High Quality
Chicago has an excellent water source: Lake Michigan. The safety and quality of Chicago’s tap water is our top priority, and the Chicago Department of Water Management (DWM) continually monitors water quality and performs testing 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Chicago’s water meets or exceeds all standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Illinois EPA and the drinking water industry and passed its most recent review last month.
Children’s Lead Levels Drop Dramatically in Past 20 Years
The most important way to understand the health impacts of lead is to measure the level found in children. Chicago has achieved significant success in reducing the percentage of children with elevated blood lead levels in recent years.
Today, less than one percent of children have elevated blood lead levels, as compared to 25 percent in the late 1990s. Additionally, since 2016, CDPH has offered water testing when conducting inspections for children with elevated lead levels. Of those tested, no child with an elevated blood level lived in a home where the water had lead levels at or above the EPA action level.
The cause of elevated blood lead levels in children is usually linked to exposure to and ingestion of lead-based paint.
Proactive Approach to Ensuring Water Quality for Future Generations
Chicago has always been a leader in water quality research. In 2016, DWM launched a first-of-its-kind study to determine the possible impact of water main construction and meter installation on water quality. This is groundbreaking research, as there is no comprehensive scientific study that explores the possible impact of water main construction or water meter installation on water quality. The sampling approach taken in the study is more rigorous than the methodology used for EPA testing – the study collects multiple samples and is more likely to detect lead.
While the study is ongoing, preliminary data indicates that:
- The water main replacement program is not producing large changes in lead concentrations; the percentage of homes tested before and after main construction remained below the Lead and Copper Rule standard.
- According to this preliminary data, water meter installation may have raised lead levels in 51 homes of the 296 homes in the study that have before and after samples. More than 80 percent of the homes studied did not have lead levels above the EPA action level after the installation of a meter.
More study is needed to analyze the relationship between water meter installation and lead levels, as the increase may not be related to the meter. For example, these homes may have higher lead levels because of low water usage, which would mean the protective phosphate coating isn’t sufficiently covering the home’s lead service lines and internal plumbing systems and preventing that lead from entering the water.
History of Lead Service Lines
Many older single family and two-flat homes built before 1986 are likely to have lead service lines connecting the individual home to the water main. These older homes may also have lead solder and older interior household plumbing containing lead.
Chicago, like other cities, has an aggressive anti-corrosion program in which blended phosphate is added to the water. The phosphate forms a protective coating on the pipes from the treatment facility to the faucet, minimizing the risk that lead and other contaminants will leach into the water.
Next Steps
Although further study is needed, the city will proactively take a number of actions out of an abundance of caution:
Homeowners’ Lead Service Lines
- To address one of the primary causes of lead in water – lead service lines – DWM is working to determine the feasibility and framework of a multi-billion dollar program to potentially replace lead service lines. Other key causes are low water usage, fixtures and plumbing in the home.
- DWM has engaged CDM Smith, a global engineering firm, to evaluate the total cost and multiple factors involved in replacing lead service lines, including developing a step-by-step phased replacement program, reviewing industry practices, investigating available technology and assessing funding options, including potential federal and state funding sources. Should the recommendations be adopted, Chicago would become the largest city in the nation to address this legacy infrastructure issue.
Water Meters
- The city will provide water filters free of charge to any household that previously tested above the EPA action level. Previous testing has been conducted through the water quality study, 3-1-1 testing, EPA and CDPH testing programs.
- Starting with the most recent meter installations, the city will notify metered homes of the preliminary data. These metered homes may request a water filter set free of charge.
- Going forward, residents who request a water meter must provide informed consent and enroll in before and after testing to receive the meter. These residents will also receive a free water filter when their meter is installed since test results will not be instantaneously available.
Ongoing Free Water Quality Testing for Residents
Any Chicago resident can have a free test for lead or other particles.
Residents can call 3-1-1 to request free water testing at their address. Residents are notified about their individual results, and data from all homes is posted online at www.chicagowaterquality.org, with identifying information removed.
Residents who are concerned about lead levels are also encouraged to continue to flush, or run their water continuously for at least five minutes, before consuming water. Studies show that in almost every case, flushing remains an effective approach to lowering lead levels and exposure. Ways to flush include showering, as well as washing clothes and dishes.
Fall Leaves and Debris
…as it contaminates the recycling stream. A dedicated DSS truck will collect yard waste based on 311 requests and take the bags to be composted in an effort to increase…
Read More »Water Quality
…water main construction and meter installation on residential lead levels. This is the most comprehensive scientific study to explore these issues ever conducted. The Study compares the before and after…
Read More »North Lake Shore Drive Study Public Input Opportunity
- Use the interactive map to comment and provide input on the proposed improvements
- Complete a survey to tell us how you use the Drive and lakefront and share your priorities
- Review the project exhibits and leave notes in the comment area
- Sign up for a small group discussion with the project team
Barry Sewer Main Replacement Project #7322- 7226A
…DWM estimates completion of this sewer improvement project by November 2019. Following the work by the private contractor, a City of Chicago Department of Water Management In-House sewer crew will…
Read More »Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
COVID-19 Update
(last updated February 24, 2020)
COVID-19 is spreading from person to person in China, and limited spread among close contacts has been detected in some countries outside China, including the United States. At this time, however, this virus is NOT spreading in communities in the U.S. and the health risk to the general public remains low both in the U.S. and in Chicago.
There have been two confirmed cases of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the Chicago area: The first case was announced on January 24, 2020, in a person who had traveled to Wuhan, China; The second case was announced on January 30, 2020, in a close household contact.
The goal of the ongoing U.S. public health response is to detect new cases quickly and prevent community spread of COVID-19. The coming days and weeks are likely to bring more confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. and globally, but strong public health measures now may blunt the impact of the virus. CDPH is monitoring the situation carefully and will rapidly communicate any changes in this guidance.
While the immediate risk of this new virus to the American public is believed to be low at this time, everyone can do their part to help us respond to this emerging public health threat:
- It’s currently flu and respiratory disease season and CDC recommends getting a flu vaccine, taking everyday preventive actions to help stop the spread of germs, and taking flu antivirals if prescribed.
- If you are a healthcare provider, be on the look-out for people who recently traveled from China with fever and respiratory symptoms. Report suspect COVID-19 cases immediately (within 3 hours) to CDPH by calling 312-746-SICK (7425) Monday through Friday during business hours or 311 during evenings, weekends, and holidays. For more information, see Interim Guidance for Healthcare Professionals.
- If you are a healthcare provider caring for a COVID-19 patient, please take care of yourself and follow recommended infection control procedures.
- For people who are ill with COVID-19, please follow CDC guidance on how to reduce the risk of spreading your illness to others.
- For people who have had close contact with someone infected with COVID-19 who develop symptoms, contact your healthcare provider, and tell them about your symptoms and your exposure to a COVID-19 patient.
If you have been in China or have been exposed to someone sick with COVID-19 in the last 14 days, you will face some limitations on your movement and activity. Please follow instructions during this time. Your cooperation is integral to the ongoing public health response to try to slow spread of this virus. If you develop COVID-19 symptoms, contact your healthcare provider, and tell them about your symptoms and your travel or exposure to a COVID-19 patient.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)?
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. The virus that causes COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). It was first identified during an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, China. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are common in many different species of animals, including camels, cattle, cats, and bats. Rarely, animal coronaviruses can infect people and then spread between people such as with MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV, and now with SARS-CoV-2.
Chinese health officials have reported tens of thousands of cases of COVID-19, with the virus reportedly spreading from person-to-person in parts of China. COVID-19 illnesses, most of them associated with travel from Wuhan, also are being reported in a growing number of international locations, including the U.S. Person-to-person spread of COVID-19 also has been seen among close contacts of returned travelers from Wuhan. The latest situation summary updates, including the number of cases identified in the U.S., are available on CDC’s web page Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).
What are the symptoms?
Patients who get sick with COVID-19 develop mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of:
- fever
- cough
- difficulty breathing
Many common illnesses can cause these same symptoms. COVID-19 can only be diagnosed at a public health laboratory. Individuals who have these symptoms and have traveled to China or have had close contact with someone with COVID-19 should be seen by a doctor or medical professional.
CDC believes at this time that symptoms of COVID-19 may appear in as few as 2 days or as long as 14 days after exposure.
How does it spread?
Although the virus that causes COVID-19 probably emerged from an animal source, it is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. People are thought to be most contagious when they are most symptomatic (the sickest). How easily a virus spreads from person-to-person can vary. Some viruses are highly contagious (like measles), while other viruses are less so. Another factor is whether the spread is sustained. The virus that causes COVID-19 seems to be spreading easily and sustainably in Hubei province and other parts of China. In the U.S., spread from person-to-person has occurred only among a few close contacts and has not spread any further to date.
How is it treated?
There is no specific medicine to treat COVID-19 infection at this time, though studies are underway. People sick with COVID-19 should receive supportive care from a health care professional. Supportive care means care to help relieve symptoms; for example, medicine to bring down fevers, or oxygen if a patient’s oxygen level is low.
How is COVID-19 diagnosed?
Diagnosis occurs through laboratory testing of respiratory specimens and serum (blood). Some coronavirus strains cause the common cold and patients tested by their health care provider may test positive for these types. The COVID-19 strain can only be detected at a public health laboratory.
How can I protect myself and my family?
As with any respiratory virus, you can protect yourself and others by taking everyday common sense actions:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
Remember that it is also flu season and CDPH recommends getting vaccinated, taking everyday preventive actions to stop the spread of germs, and taking flu antivirals if prescribed. For more information, see www.chicago.gov/flu.
Do I need to wear a mask?
CDPH does not recommend that people who are well wear a face mask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19. Face masks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).
What can travelers do to protect themselves and others?
CDPH recommends avoiding travel to China. Chinese officials have closed transport within and out of Wuhan and other areas in Hubei Province, including buses, subways, trains, and the international airport. Additional restrictions and cancellations of events may occur. For travel advice for other countries, please visit that country’s Destination Page or CDC’s Travel Health Notice website.
What if I recently traveled to China?
If you have been in China or have been exposed to someone sick with COVID-19 in the last 14 days, you will face some limitations on your movement and activity. Please follow instructions during this time. Your cooperation is integral to the ongoing public health response to try to slow spread of this virus.
- Your health will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms. Travelers who have fever, cough, or trouble breathing will be taken to a medical facility for further evaluation and care.
- Travelers who have been in Hubei Province in the past 14 days and do not have symptoms will be placed under a quarantine order.
- Travelers from other parts of China (outside Hubei Province) who do not have symptoms should stay home and monitor their health. If you develop COVID-19 symptoms, call CDPH. If you can’t reach CDPH, call ahead before going to a doctor’s office or emergency room. Tell them your symptoms and that you were in China.
What are the recommendations for healthcare providers?
If you are a healthcare provider, be on the look-out for people who recently traveled from China and have fever and respiratory symptoms. Report suspect COVID-19 cases to CDPH immediately (within 3 hours) by calling 312-746-SICK (7425) Monday through Friday during business hours or 311 during evenings, weekends, and holidays.
If you are a healthcare provider caring for a COVID-19 patient or a public health responder, please take care of yourself and follow recommended infection control procedures. For more information, see Interim Guidance for Healthcare Professionals.
If you have any additional questions, please email us at coronavirus@chicago.gov or call 312-746-4835.
Other Available Resources
Print Resources:
- Get the Facts: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
- What you need to know about COVID-19 (English, Spanish, Simplified Chinese)
- What to do if you are sick with COVID-19 (English, Spanish, Simplified Chinese)
- Stop the Spread of Germs Poster (English, Spanish, pdf iconSimplified Chinese)pdf ico
Information for Specific Groups:
- Travelers
- Pregnant Women and Children
- Healthcare Professionals
- Businesses and Employers
- Students
- K-12 Schools
- Universities
- Organizations
Press releases:
- February 15, 2020: Public Health Officials Announce Two Chicago Patients Released From Home Isolation Per CDC Guidance
- February 13, 2020: Public Health Officials Report Local Progress in Containing Novel Coronavirus
- February 11, 2020: Illinois First State to Test for Novel Coronavirus
- January 30, 2020: Second Illinois 2019 Novel Coronavirus Case Identified (English, Chinese)
- January 24, 2020: City of Chicago Announces First Local Patient with Travel-Related Case of 2019 Novel Coronavirus (English, Chinese)
- January 21, 2020: Federal Authorities have added O’Hare International Airport to a Coronavirus Screening Program for Travelers from Wuhan, China
SBA to Provide Disaster Assistance Loans for Small Businesses Impacted by Coronavirus (COVID-19)
WASHINGTON – SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza issued the following statement today in response to the President’s address to the nation:
“The President took bold, decisive action to make our 30 million small businesses more resilient to Coronavirus-related economic disruptions. Small businesses are vital economic engines in every community and state, and they have helped make our economy the strongest in the world. Our Agency will work directly with state Governors to provide targeted, low-interest disaster recovery loans to small businesses that have been severely impacted by the situation. Additionally, the SBA continues to assist small businesses with counseling and navigating their own preparedness plans through our network of 68 District Offices and numerous Resource Partners located around the country. The SBA will continue to provide every small business with the most effective and customer-focused response possible during these times of uncertainty.”
SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans offer up to $2 million in assistance for a small business. These loans can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing.
Process for Accessing SBA’s Coronavirus (COVID-19) Disaster Relief Lending
- The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering designated states and territories low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Upon a request received from a state’s or territory’s Governor, SBA will issue under its own authority, as provided by the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act that was recently signed by the President, an Economic Injury Disaster Loan declaration.
- Any such Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance declaration issued by the SBA makes loans available to small businesses and private, non-profit organizations in designated areas of a state or territory to help alleviate economic injury caused by the Coronavirus (COVID-19).
- SBA’s Office of Disaster Assistance will coordinate with the state’s or territory’s Governor to submit the request for Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance.
- Once a declaration is made for designated areas within a state, the information on the application process for Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance will be made available to all affected communities.
- These loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact. The interest rate is 3.75% for small businesses without credit available elsewhere; businesses with credit available elsewhere are not eligible. The interest rate for non-profits is 2.75%.
- SBA offers loans with long-term repayments in order to keep payments affordable, up to a maximum of 30 years. Terms are determined on a case-by-case basis, based upon each borrower’s ability to repay.
- SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans are just one piece of the expanded focus of the federal government’s coordinated response, and the SBA is strongly committed to providing the most effective and customer-focused response possible.
For additional information, please contact the SBA disaster assistance customer service center. Call 1-800-659-2955 (TTY: 1-800-877-8339) or e-mail disastercustomerservice@sba.gov(link sends e-mail).
###
About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.