NACWA publishes numerous specialty publications. Individual copies of all publications are provided to members free of charge. Additional copies are available at nominal cost or for free. Please see the below for pricing. Bulk pricing is available, please contact Robin Davis, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Legal

Protecting the Water Sector From Security Threats: The Emerging Legal and Policy Frameworks.
This new handbook is specifically designed to help clean water utilities and other members of the water sector adapt to the ever-changing security environment in the United States. Based on the 2002 NACWA security publication, Legal Issues in a Time of Crisis, the new publication was written to reflect the many changes to the legal landscape involving security issues over the past five years, and has been expanded to include a discussion of security challenges facing drinking water utilities and public works agencies in addition to the clean water community.  Among the relevant topics included in the publication is an examination of the current federal legislative framework for protecting water sector infrastructure, a discussion of the potential for civil liability that water sector utilities might face in the event of a terrorist attack or security breach, and an overview of the legal duty owed employers to their employees in the event of a terrorist attack on a facility.  Additionally, the publication includes a “Quick Reference Checklist” which provides clean water managers and attorneys with a quick way to identify the major legal and security issues they need to consider for their facilities, and provides a quick reference on where to find more detailed information about a specific issue in the publication. Free for members (see MU07-21, or download here).  Non-member pricing coming soon!

Wet Weather Consent Decrees: Protecting POTWs in Negotiations 2006 Supplement
The downloadable Supplement is an update to NACWA's 2003, Wet Weather Consent Decrees: Protecting POTWs in Negotiations and adds the most up-to-date information regarding municipal wet weather consent decrees, negotiation strategies, and trends. The Supplement also summarizes recent consent decrees in a user-friendly table at the back, and provides narrative information on new federal guidance documents as well as a discussion of the most progressive provisions of new decrees. The update, when used in conjunction with the original Handbook, will be a valuable information tool for municipalities facing – or fending off – consent decree negotiations. Free for members (see MU06-24, or download here), $50 for non-members. Order Now.

Bundle Pricing!

Purchase both the Wet Weather Consent Decrees: Protecting POTWs in Negotiations: A NACWA Supplement and Wet Weather Consent Decrees: Protecting POTWs in Negotiations and save!
Member Price: $50 (with complimentary download of the Supplement) Non-Member Price: $115. Order Now.

Wet Weather Consent Decrees - An AMSA Handbook (2003)
Protecting POTWs in Negotiations.
Created as a unique resource for the growing number of POTWs facing negotiations and litigation with the federal or state governments regarding combined and sanitary sewer overflow issues, the Handbook covers key issues that municipal attorneys, managers, and staff may wish to consider before, during, and after wet weather negotiations. The Handbook covers topics such as strategies to maintain municipal autonomy, leveraging POTW expertise in negotiations, and techniques to integrate legal obligations and deadlines into daily municipal operations. To complement the Handbook, the more than 30 municipal wet weather decrees and orders discussed in the Handbook are posted on NACWA’s website as a reference library.
$50 each for members; $75 each for non-members. Order now.

Security

Chlorine Gas Decision Tool for Water and Wastewater Utilities
The Chlorine Gas Decision Tool (Tool), a CD-based application that NACWA developed for the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Advanced Research Projects Agency, is now available. The Tool is designed to provide both water and wastewater utilities with a user-friendly, but thorough means of evaluating alternatives to chlorine gas disinfection. (CD-ROM, 2006). Free. Order Now.
 

Planning for Decontamination Wastewater: A Guide for Utilities
Planning for Decontamination Wastewater: A Guide for Utilities developed by NACWA under a cooperative agreement with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Guide is to ensure that managers of wastewater utilities are cognizant of the pre-planning necessary to prevent, detect, respond to and/or recover from the impacts of decontamination wastewater containing chemical, biological, or radiological (CBR) substances and provide guidance on how to ensure that wastewater infrastructure is protected in the event of an attack. The Guide is the first national publication to explore the potential impacts of wastewater generated during the response to, and cleanup of, a CBR terrorist attack. (38 pages) Free. Download now. Order now.
 

Emergency Response Plan Guidance for Wastewater Systems
Developed by the Water Environment Research Foundation and funded by the Environmental Protection Agency, this new Wastewater Emergency Response Plan Guidance Document will assist wastewater systems in the preparation of Emergency Response Plans (ERPs). This new tool is intended to help wastewater systems organize their planning efforts, and provide a reference for the types of information and data that should be included in an ERP. Future plans call for the development of an ERP software module for wastewater as an enhancement to the NACWA-developed Vulnerability Self Assessment Tool (VSAT™). (73 pages) Free. Download now. (PDF, 875 KB).

The Vulnerability Self Assessment Software Tool (VSAT™) provides a comprehensive, intuitive system for wastewater utilities seeking to analyze their vulnerability to both intentional threats and natural disasters. VSAT™ organizes data, supports vulnerability analyses, documents the analyses, and presents complex information in an easy-to-understand format for the full suite of potential utility assets including physical plant, employees, knowledge base, information technology, and customers. This invaluable software tool includes reference libraries of both potential threats and countermeasures, and provides an enduring method for managing the information generated by security vulnerability assessments.
(CD-ROM; 2002) Free. Order now.

Protecting Wastewater Infrastructure Assets . . .
Asset Based Vulnerability Checklist for Wastewater Utilities
Wastewater utility mangers across the United States are struggling with the needs thrust upon them by the tragic events of September 11th. To meet the needs of the wastewater treatment community, NACWA has developed the Protecting Wastewater Infrastructure Assets. . . Asset Based Vulnerability Checklist for Wastewater Utilities, which was specifically designed to help utility managers and their staffs identify and evaluate a wide range of vulnerabilities that could place their assets – physical plant, people, knowledge base, information technology, and customers – in jeopardy. The Checklist is meant to stimulate thought and discussion, covering issues related to security such as computer hacking, vandalism and more severe events like natural disasters and terrorist activity. The Asset Based Vulnerability Checklist for Wastewater Utilities can be downloaded free of charge from NACWA’s web site, here, or purchased in hard copy form.
(48 Pages; 2002) Free download (PDF). $10 per hard copy. Order now.

Protecting Wastewater Infrastructure Assets . . .
Legal Issues in a Time of Crisis Checklist
Protecting Wastewater Infrastructure Assets. . . Legal Issues in a Time of Crisis Checklist assists municipal wastewater treatment agencies in assessing legal issues that may arise in the wake of a crisis event. This document also will be helpful for municipal wastewater treatment agencies in overall crisis management planning, prevention, and response activities. The Legal Issues in a Time of Crisis Checklist is intended to provide general assistance in issue spotting and suggestions, where they exist, on legal precedents.
(60 Pages; 2002) $40 per copy. Order now.

Competitive Management Publications

Implementing Asset Management – A Practical Guide
Through a collaborative effort with the Water Environment Federation (WEF) and the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA), NACWA’s most recent publication, Implementing Asset Management – A Practical Guide, builds on the popular Managing Public Infrastructure Assets to Minimize Cost and Maximize Performance developed in 2002. The Guide provides a common sense, risk-based approach that any utility can use, regardless of size or how they currently manage their infrastructure assets. This new resource is light on theory and heavy on practical insight, utilizing a top-down approach to most effectively and efficiently use existing knowledge and resources to improve a utility’s management of their assets. At only 76 pages, this document provides a short, but thorough overview of everything a utility will need to get started with a new asset management program or reinvigorate their current program. NACWA members can purchase the document at a special discounted rate (click here). NACWA/AMWA Members - $95, WEF Members-$150, Non-Member Price- $200. Order Now (You will be re-directed to WEF's website).   

Biosolids Management: Options, Opportunities & Challenges
NACWA’s newest publication is the only comprehensive book on current biosolids policy available today. While most publications are very technical, or focused on a particular biosolids sub-topic, the Handbook offers a high-level look at current regulatory and legal developments concerning a variety of biosolids management practices, as well as outlining successful strategies, management pointers, and key terms.

The Handbook is structured around the five biosolids management options most commonly used by public utilities today, and discusses such issues as the delicate balance between federal and state authority over biosolids management, communications issues that affect all public agencies – regardless of the biosolids management option employed as well as biosolids legal decisions and planning for the future.

Consistent with NACWA’s tradition of making key documents easily accessible to members, the Handbook also features an online companion library which will serve as an invaluable resource for NACWA members.

This one of a kind Handbook will be a ready reference and thought-provoking tool for utility managers, lawyers, and key staff for years to come. $75 for members, $100 for non-members. Order Now.

The Changing Workforce . . . Seizing the Opportunity: An AMWA/NACWA Handbook
The Changing Workforce. . .Seizing the Opportunity expands on The Changing Workforce... Crisis & Opportunity by building on strategies to assist utilities with developing and implementing a comprehensive succession management program aimed at attracting, developing and retaining a new generation of workers while retaining institutional knowledge from retiring staff. It also presents tools and strategies proven to be effective in the utility industry, or applicable to the utility industry. Most importantly, the handbook identifies why a strategy is successful and what organizational elements are necessary to support its implementation. In addition, this new handbook provides a bibliography section, which lists additional resources that address workforce issues, as well as several informational case studies. (96 pages, 2006) $50 for members; $75 for non members. Order now.

BUNDLE PRICING
Get both, The Changing Workforce. . .Seizing the Opportunity AND The Changing Workforce. . .Crisis & Opportunity and save.
$75 for members; $100 for non members.
Order bundle now.

Achieving Environmental Excellence: An Environmental Management Systems (EMS) Handbook for Wastewater Utilities
The Office of Wastewater Management at EPA, in cooperation with the Global Environment and Technology Foundation and several wastewater treatment agencies, released a comprehensive handbook to help wastewater utilities implement environmental management systems (EMS) for their operations. The new publication, Achieving Environmental Excellence: An Environmental Management Systems (EMS) Handbook for Wastewater Utilities, was extensively reviewed by a project Steering Committee and a Peer Review Group and is available free of charge.

Officials from both WEF and NACWA participated in these reviews. For the first time, wastewater agencies have a step-by-step guide that covers all the steps necessary to put an effective EMS in place. The Handbook also contains numerous examples from agencies that have already put an EMS in place along with many other examples and tips to help demystify the EMS process. Finally, the Handbook contains information on EMS costs and benefits, as well as costs associated with completing an independent 3rd party audit of the system.
Handbook (171 Pages) Free Download in PDF (.pdf, 2.42 MB) and
Appendixes (234 pages) Free Download in PDF (.pdf, 8.63 MB).

Continual Improvement in Utility Management: A Framework for Integration
Continual Improvement in Utility Management: A Framework for Integration, a guide developed under a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and addressing the need to improve utility performance through more effective application and integration of management tools has just been released. Click here for more information.
(128 Pages) Free Download in PDF (.pdf, 1.01 MB) and MS-Word (.doc, 1.35 MB).
 

The Changing Workforce - Crisis & Opportunity
A collaborative effort between NACWA and the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA), this new publication examines the increasing demand for qualified, skilled employees increasing while the supply for these resources is decreasing. What began initially as a gradual change has accelerated in the past five years. What is the change and what is causing the change? What happens when a keystone worker, or a slew of workers, leaves? The workforce is gradually reaching retirement age and utilities are offering incentives to their staff to take early retirement. As the workforce retires and leaves the public sector, the staff take along a remarkable wealth of operational and maintenance knowledge and information. How can your utility compete? $35 per copy. Order now.

Evaluating Privatization II
An AMSA/AMWA Checklist
Evaluating Privatization II updates and expands the content of Evaluating Privatization: An AMSA Checklist, published by NACWA in 1996. In addition to providing information on developments occurring since 1996, this new publication incorporates the issues and implication for public drinking water utilities along with those of public wastewater utilities featured in the initial publication. (56 Pages) $30 per copy. Order now.

Public vs. Private: Comparing the Costs
An AMWA/AMSA Report
Public vs. Private: Comparing the Costs provides an in-depth examination of specific processes and results of managed competitions between public providers and private firms and complements the content of the AMSA/AMWA publication, Evaluating Privatization II. This publication is must for public water and wastewater decision makers as they evaluate the merits of public utility management and operation alternatives and, ultimately select the best course of action. (36 Pages) $25 per copy. Order now.

Package Price!
Buy Public vs. Private and Evaluating Privatization II together for $50.
Order Both Now.

Managing Public Infrastructure Assets To Minimize Cost and Maximize Performance (Asset Management Handbook)
Managing Public Infrastructure Assets to Minimize Cost and Maximize Performance establishes an understanding of asset management principles and program benefits, navigates impending financial reporting regulations and assists public water and wastewater utilities with the development of asset management programs. This publication is the resource on this important issue and an invaluable handbook for all water and wastewater utility managers!
(212 Pages) $45 per copy. Out of Stock.

Optimizing Public Agency Purchasing Power
(6 pages; 2001) Free for NACWA members. Order now.   Non-members have to order at www.wwema.org.

Creating High Performance Business Services: A Public Sector Handbook This handbook breaks new ground in competitive management by enlisting the efforts of municipal business support services in enhancing the competitiveness of public utilities. Although these services often lie outside of the utility's control, they are essential to efficient operation. (148 pages; 1999) $45 each (Contact the National Office for multiple copy purchase pricing.) Order now.

Thinking, Getting & Staying Competitive: A Public Sector Handbook
This handbook covers common traps that lead public utilities into non-competitiveness; steps for improving competitiveness; keys to staying competitive; a model process for competitive change; and an analysis of financial opportunities for generating and using savings. Four case studies highlighting important lessons learned by public agencies as they went through the competitiveness process are included.
(146 pages; 1998) $40 each (Contact the National Office for multiple copy purchase pricing.) Order now.

Managed Competition: Developing & Responding to RFQs & RFPs
Proven approaches to conducting managed competitions for municipal services are highlighted in this publication. It prepares local decision makers to successfully participate in the process by reviewing pre-competition activities such as: organizing bidding and process management teams; final contract negotiations; and development of memorandums of understanding. Sample outline of a generalized RFP to operate and maintain municipal water and wastewater operations is also included.
(56 pages; 1997) $15 each. Order now.

Evaluating Privatization: An AMSA Checklist
The checklist assists local elected officials, environmental managers and other water quality decision makers in addressing whether to privatize all or part of a water pollution control facility. The checklist examines POTWs as community assets, not simply financial assets, and focuses attention on all dimensions of effective, efficient wastewater utility service.
(47 pages; 1996)
$20 each - Order one.

Wastewater Industry Stats

NACWA’s 2005 Financial Survey: A National Survey of Municipal Wastewater Management Financing and Trends
NACWA’s 2005 Financial Survey is the most comprehensive financing and management survey ever undertaken by NACWA. Like previous surveys, the 2005 Survey presents industry statistics and trend data on utility revenues, expenses, debt financing, capital needs, sewer service charges, residential and industrial rates and rate structures, staffing levels, and salaries. In addition, the 2005 Survey expands on this baseline of data and presents new information on the status of asset management programs, financial statement data, the status of security-related programs, staff licensing requirements, and energy use and costs. A must have for all of your utility’s benchmarking needs! (438 pages, 2006) $75 members; $150 non members. Order now.

The 2007 NACWA Index
This handy tool measures year-to-year percentage changes in residential sewer service charges over a 10-year period and compares them to the rate of inflation. The Index is based on responses from NACWA member agencies in each EPA region.
(2 pages; 2008) Free for members. Download now.

The 2006 NACWA Index
This handy tool measures year-to-year percentage changes in residential sewer service charges over a 10-year period and compares them to the rate of inflation. The Index is based on responses from NACWA member agencies in each EPA region.
(2 pages; 2007) Free for members. Download now.

2002 AMSA Financial Survey
The 2002 AMSA Financial Survey chronicles national public wastewater utility trends. Financial management, rate structures, public agency staffing, salary and benefit information receive comprehensive examination in this triennial publication. The 2002 Survey is being offered on CD-ROM for the first time! (323 pages; 2003) $50 each for members; $75 each for non-members. Order now.

Issues Advocacy

Collaborative Water Quality Solutions: Exploring Use Attainability Analyses
Collaborative Water Quality Solutions: Exploring Use Attainability Analyses will help utilities decide whether or not to consider sponsoring or participating in a UAA or if another approach, such as a variance, might be a better option. It contains pointers and case studies from real-world experiences that will help readers better apply the concepts to their specific situations. And it will guide utilities through the stakeholder involvement process. The Handbook also includes a CD with an electronic version of WERF’s 1997 Comprehensive Use Attainability Analysis Technical Reference. Readers of the Handbook will be able to call upon this important resource for even more information on the UAA process. (110 pages + CD, 2006) $25 members; $200 non members. Order now.

NACWA Financial Capability and Affordability in Wet Weather Negotiations White Paper
NACWA's Financial Capability and Affordability in Wet Weather Negotiations White Paper provides a critical review of and suggested modifications to existing U.S. Environmental Protection Agency policies and practices on wet weather compliance and its financial impacts on the nation's communities. The White Paper provides negotiations guidance for clean water agencies through a body of case studies, and suggests approaches to reducing the financial impacts of wet weather projects on low-income households. (PDF; 52 pages). Free. Download Only.

ALL DRIED UP: How Clean Water is Threatened by Budget Cuts Sponsored by a broad coalition of state and local governments, labor, construction, and environmental and public health groups, this report lays out the effect that cuts to the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) will have on every state, how many jobs the lost funding could have created, identifies projects that likely will not move forward and provides the percentage of impaired waters, number of beach closures and major causes of water pollution in each state. (PDF; 83 pages; September 2004; 570 KB) Free. Download Now.

Creating Successful Total Maximum Daily Loads The total maximum daily load (TMDL) program has been part of the Clean Water Act since 1972, but has become a significant focus of attention during the last ten years. The Handbook provides timely and current information on regulatory, legal, and policy developments in the TMDL arena, with a special focus on identifying and managing POTW concerns and issues. It also offers strategies for utilities to consider to enhance their effectiveness in TMDL development and planning. The Handbook also contains a comprehensive Appendix of referenced TMDLs, and federal and state guidance documents, which when available, are posted in an unparalleled interactive TMDL reference library on the NACWA website at www.nacwa.org. This one of a kind Handbook will be a ready reference and thought-provoking tool for utility managers, lawyers, and key staff for years to come. $40 for members, $55 for non-members. Order now.

Why Not Water? Investing in the Nation’s Clean Water Future Why Not Water? discusses the water infrastructure needs in our country and the enormous expenses municipalities face to guarantee this infrastructure for future generations. The publication makes the point that our nation’s water infrastructure funding deserves similar congressional support to highway and aviation infrastructure, both of which have received federal trust funds, begging the question – if it is important enough for highways and airports, then Why Not Water? (6 pages; May 2003; 2,299K) Free. Download now. Order now.

Communities at Work . . . The National Response to Combined Sewer Overflows The Communities at Work . . . The National Response to Combined Sewer Overflows Report can be downloaded here (PDF). (24 pages; 2002; 523K) Free. Download now.

AMSA 2000/2001 Survey of Dioxin-Like Compounds in Biosolids: Statistical Analyses
(166 pages; 2001; 444K) Free. Download now.

Water Infrastructure NOW:  Recommendations for Clean and Safe Water in the 21st Century (WINow) The WINow report calls for a five-year, $57 billion federal investment in drinking water, sewer and stormwater infrastructure to replace aging pipes, upgrade treatment systems and continue to protect public health and the environment. The report also urges Congress to create a long-term, sustainable and reliable source of federal funding for clean and safe water. The WINow report can also be downloaded at www.win-water.org. (18 pages; 2001; 524K) Free.  Download now. Order now.

Evaluation of Domestic Sources of Mercury
(31 pages; 2000) Download now (Free).

Water Infrastructure Report — Clean & Safe Water for the 21st Century
(2000; Full Report) Download now.

Evaluating TMDLs. . . Protecting the Rights of POTWs
This groundbreaking publication is designed to assist POTWs in their response to the application of TMDLs under the EPA's water quality program. This useful guide provides POTWs with a concise outline of critical areas of the TMDL and water quality based effluent limits programs and contains a series of legal, scientific and policy arguments that POTWs can utilize in their efforts to ensure that TMDLs are appropriately implemented. The TMDL program continues to evolve, and this issues outline will be updated as the legislative, regulatory and legal landscape changes.
(96 pages; 1999)
Free Download.

Evaluating TMDLs... Protecting the Rights of POTWs
May 2000 Update
(44 pages, 2000)
Free Download.

Characterization of Radioactivity Sources at Wastewater Treatment Facilities: A Guidance Document for Pretreatment Coordinators & Biosolids Managers
(56 pages; 1999; 184K) Free. Download Now.

Clean Water. . . We’ve Got the Point. Now Let’s Get to the Nonpoint. . .
This publication outlines the causes of, and the issues surrounding, nonpoint source pollution. It also presents ten “Nonpoint Source Pollution Solutions,” which are steps that must be taken in order to attain the Clean Water Act’s goal – the physical, chemical and biological health of the nation’s waters.
(1999) Free. Download now. Order now.

The Cost of Clean. . . Meeting Water Quality Challenges in the New Millennium Local governments’ clean water needs are highlighted in this easy-to-read report. POTWs can use this attractive report to reach out to local, state and federal elected officials to illustrate the need for increased federal clean water funding. Compelling graphics and illustrations support the narrative’s conclusions. (6 pages; 1999; 1,300K) Free. Download now. Order now.

Clean Water Advocate
Stay informed on emerging and evolving issues of interest to the water quality community with a subscription to NACWA’s monthly newsletter. Achievements of member agencies and the Association are also showcased in this useful, informative periodical. (11 issues) Yearly subscription - $250. Order now. Note: All Clean Water Advocate issues are also available online.

Year in Review
This annual publication tracks the evolution of critical Association legislative and regulatory initiatives, marking important milestones and quantifying benefits received by NACWA member agencies. Free. 1999's Year in Review is also available.

2005-2006 YIR (free download). Order
2004-2005 YIR (free download). Order.
2003-2004 YIR (free download). Order.
Order 2002-2003 YIR
Order 2001-2002 YIR
Order 2000 YIR.
Order 1999 YIR.