The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) held a webinar August 12 in coordination with NACWA and the National Energy & Utility Affordability Coalition on the rollout of the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) – the program being stood up by HHS to implement the $1.138 Billion in federal assistance provided for water and wastewater customers through the federal COVID-19 relief packages.

NACWA member Charleston Water System (CWS) recently filed an amended class action complaint against multiple manufacturers and distributers of so-called “flushable” wipes in federal district court seeking to have the court enjoin them from labeling their products as “flushable” in light of the damage they cause to sewer systems.

NACWA has received over 50 responses so far to its most recent survey on COVID-19 and encourages utility members to complete the survey before it closes on Monday, August 23.

After nearly two months of ongoing bipartisan infrastructure negotiations between the White House and a group of 22 Senators (G22) led by Senators Portman (R-OH) and Sinema (D-AZ), the Senate on Tuesday passed the first major comprehensive infrastructure package in decades - the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act - with true bipartisan support on a vote of 69-30.

NACWA is encouraging its utility members to complete this brief survey on their current policies regarding COVID-19 vaccination, return to work plans and related issues.

Just prior to the start of August recess, the House passed its Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies bill, which provides annual funding for U.S. EPA and its core clean water programs, through an omnibus package, H.R. 4502.

Illinois’ Wipes Labeling Act was signed by Governor J.B. Pritzker on August 6, making Illinois the third state to require “Do Not Flush” labeling on non-flushable wipes.

NACWA’s Board of Directors approved a new environmental justice statement for the Association as part of its meeting in late July.

Your people are the heart, the core, and the future of the clean water sector. Now you have a path for investing in that future: Core Leadership.