Clean Water Current

The Maryland Department of Planning (MDP) will hold a free webinar on Friday, November 4th to discuss the role utilities can have in protecting critical infrastructure from climate change threats. While the webinar will feature a number of Maryland utilities, it is relevant and will contain helpful information for utilities nationwide.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Oct. 25 that it will not be extending the public comment period for its proposed designation of PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) beyond the 60 days initially offered for comment.

EPA released on Oct. 21 its Final Implementation Guidance for Congressionally Directed Projects, which the Agency also calls Community Grants but are more commonly known as earmarks.

The federal Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) recently announced the relaunch of the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) resource website, waterhelp.info.

NACWA hosted a webinar, Comprehensive Cost Analysis on Impacts of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) on the Clean Water Community, on October 20th to brief NACWA members about an on-going project to identify and quantify the scope of PFAS-related costs to the public clean water community.

Last Tuesday, October 18 marked the 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act (CWA). The significant milestone was celebrated with events throughout the country.

EPA hosted an event Oct. 18 to recognize the 50th Anniversary of the landmark Clean Water Act (CWA) along the banks of the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland Ohio, with many NACWA members present to join the celebration.

NACWA hosted a virtual press conference October 13 as part of the Association’s celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act and to highlight the instrumental role that public clean water utilities have played in the CWA’s success over the last 50 years.

NACWA hosted a webinar, Potential Impacts of PFAS CERCLA Designations on Clean Water Utilities, on Oct. 17 outlining the major provisions of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA or Superfund) and the significant impacts EPA’s proposal to designate PFOA and PFOS as CERCLA hazardous substances could have on clean water utilities.

NACWA was pleased to join with the Water Environment Federation (WEF) on October 11 to sponsor the annual Utility Leaders’ Afternoon at WEFTEC 2022.

EPA hosted a meeting Oct. 19 with NACWA and other associations to discuss an upcoming Agency memo on addressing PFAS in pretreatment and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits.

The U.S. Supreme Court this week began its October term on Oct. 3 by hearing oral arguments in the on-going battle over the scope of federal Clean Water Act (CWA) jurisdiction in the case of Sackett v. EPA. At issue in the case is whether the Sacketts need a CWA Section 404 permit to develop certain wetlands on their property, but before the Court are broader questions concerning the Act’s reach over wetlands as “waters of the United States” (WOTUS).

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 1 issued an updated National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) General Permit for medium-sized POTWs in Massachusetts on September 28. Because this permit is issued by EPA itself and not a Clean Water Act (CWA) authorized state permitting authority, it serves as a good example of how EPA would like to see delegated states craft their permits.

Members of Congress are home in their states and districts this month during a congressional recess as they campaign for the upcoming General Election on November 8. This is the perfect time to reach out to your federal elected officials and educate them on the importance of your utility's work to protect public health and the environment in your community.

NACWA recently joined a coalition of fellow clean water utility associations and nonwoven fabrics industry partners in sending a letter to Senate Commerce Committee leadership in support of S. 3956, the Wastewater Infrastructure Pollution Prevention and Environmental Safety (WIPPES) Act.

The U.S. House of Representatives last week passed bipartisan legislation that will help expedite the ability for communities, especially smaller and rural, to access Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster assistance for relatively small projects.

NACWA joined fellow public sector organizations in sending a letter on Sept. 29 to Senate Leaders Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and the respective Chair and Ranking Member for the Senate Committee on Armed Services, Jack Reed (D-RI) and Jim Inhofe (R-OK), voicing opposition to including S. 4295, the Financial Data Transparency Act (FDTA), as an amendment to the annual National Defense Authorization Act.

EPA Administrator Michael Regan announced Sept. 24 that EPA plans to combine the Agency’s existing environmental justice (EJ) and civil rights offices into a single new national program office headed by a Senate-confirmed assistant administrator.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has launched a $1 billion, four-year cybersecurity grant program for state, local, and territorial governments. The State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program and the Tribal Cybersecurity Grant Program will help these entities address cybersecurity risks.

With a September 30th funding deadline fast approaching, Congress is working to finalize a Continuing Resolution (CR) to keep the government in operation. The Senate voted 72-13 late on Sept. 27 to advance a CR that would keep the government funded at existing levels until December 16.