Over four months into the 2019 Fiscal Year (FY) and on the heels of the longest government shutdown in US history, Congress last week agreed on a bipartisan spending bill that will fund the government, including EPA, for the remainder of FY 2019, ending September 30. President Trump signed the bill into law on February 15.

EPA published a final National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Updates Rule on February 12, deferring action, for now, on the more controversial items that the Agency was exploring in early proposals.

EPA unveiled its much anticipated Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance (PFAS) Action Plan on February 14, which highlights how the Agency will tackle growing concerns over these contaminants.

EPA and the Department of the Army’s proposed rule narrowing the definition of Waters of the United States (WOTUS) was finally published in the Federal Register on February 14.

NACWA’s recent Winter Conference included a compelling panel presentation on how various utilities are pursuing a variety of community benefit programs.

The US Supreme Court announced this morning that it has granted certiorari in Maui v. Hawaii Wildlife Fund (Case 18-260) to resolve the circuit split on the limited question of whether the Clean Water Act (CWA) requires a permit when pollutants originate from a point source but are conveyed to navigable waters by a nonpoint source, such as groundwater.

EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA) released its annual report on February 8 covering its initiatives and actions for Fiscal Year (FY) 2018. The report looks at several different criminal and civil enforcement “outcomes” including enforcement actions initiated and concluded, as well as penalties assessed.

With the 116th Congress now well under way, NACWA encourages all of its members to engage with their respective U.S. Representatives and Senators about the value that public clean water utilities bring to their communities and the challenges faced each day in providing these essential services.

The Director of Charlotte Water, Angela Lee, testified on behalf of NACWA and the Water Environment Federation (WEF) last week before the full House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee regarding the specific needs of the clean water sector.

NACWA joined with more than 100 organizations across the infrastructure spectrum last week — representing transportation, water, airports and many more — to underscore the need for strong legislative progress on key infrastructure issues.

NACWA’s 2019 Winter Conference took place last week in Albuquerque, New Mexico and featured engaging discussions around the intersection of clean water and drinking water policy issues, especially the federal Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act.

The House Transportation & Infrastructure (T&I) Committee and the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee have announced the final water subcommittee assignments for the 116th Congress. NACWA utilities represented by any of these Members of Congress are encouraged to reach out to your elected officials and ensure the officials understand your key policy priorities. NACWA’s Congressional Toolbox is a helpful resource to do this.