NACWA and the Association’s State & Regional Exchange network – comprised of representatives from 18 state and regional clean water organizations - discussed recent legal, regulatory, and legislative advocacy challenges and issues via conference call on May 3.  Participants on the call received a briefing from Association staff on NACWA’s regulatory improvement efforts, and its intent to file comments in response to EPA’s April 13 federal register notice.

NACWA staff also reported on the clean water wins in the Omnibus Spending Bill, and requested continued advocacy and engagement on the pending Water Infrastructure Flexibility Act, which codifies integrated planning and requires EPA to revise the 1997 Affordability Guidance.

Participants on the call also heard a presentation from the Southern California Association of Publicly Owned Treatment Works regarding current litigation involving whole effluent toxicity, and inclusion of the test of significant toxicity (TST) in California National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits.  NACWA staff reported that the Association is participating in the pending litigation, and asked that state and regional group representatives report back on the appearance of the TST in other states and regions.

NACWA regularly convenes this state and regional network of clean water and stormwater organizations, providing an opportunity for their perspectives to inform NACWA’s efforts, while also boosting the Association’s national advocacy agenda through more local engagement. If you are involved with a state or regional group that would be interested in joining this coalition, please contact Erica Spitzig, Deputy General Counsel.