As a public agency, the Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD) is challenged to compete for talent. One of the most challenging areas is for business talent with advanced degrees. As a business with over $350 million in annual revenue and a ten-year capital investment plan in excess of $2.75 billion, business acumen is a necessary skill set for HRSD’s success. Recognizing this need, HRSD has been investing in growing an internal cadre of MBA-educated and credentialed talent.

(February 10, 2021) Last week, NACWA staff met with program leads from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) who will be shaping the $638 million low-income water and wastewater ratepayer assistance funding secured in the December FY2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act.

This week, the Senate impeachment trial of former President Trump is set to begin and will likely remain the primary focus in Congress for now.

NACWA and AMWA’s joint Affordable Water, Resilient Communities campaign kicked-off impactfully last Monday, February 1.

Oregon has become the latest state to pursue wipes labeling legislation, with HB2344 introduced on January 11 and a public hearing held on February 9.

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) last week issued a memorandum withdrawing nine enforcement policies established by the Trump administration, including the controversial ban on the use of supplemental environmental projects (SEPs).

Earlier this week, NACWA and the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA) partnered to kicked off a joint Affordable Water, Resilient CommunitiesTM campaign. Spurred by an increasing amount of legislation and media attention around the issue of water affordability, as well as the opportunities presented by a new presidential administration and a new Congress, the campaign launches with three distinct goals...

Congress ramped up its legislative work this week with the passage of a budget resolution that is being used as the legislative vehicle for the latest round of COVID-19 relief through a process known as reconciliation. The Senate also held a confirmation hearing February 3 for Michael Regan, who has been nominated by President Biden to serve as the next EPA Administrator.

NACWA convened its first Board of Directors meeting of 2021 on February 3.

EPA announced its Final Effluent Guidelines Program Plan 14 in the January 11 Federal Register. The Plan is published every two years to outline EPA’s planned studies and rulemakings related to effluent guidelines and pretreatment standards for industrial dischargers.

NACWA joined fellow public sector organizations to sign onto two letters last week outlining the critical importance of tax-exempt municipal bonds and general infrastructure spending for the public sector and nation as a whole.