(June 26, 2018) - NACWA hosted the latest installment of the  Hot Topics in Clean Water Law webinar series on June 20, with over 130 attendees participating.  The webinar featured a panel of expert clean water attorneys, with discussion focused on recent litigation surrounding climate change impacts and a case study of how utilities can respond.

Michael Vitris, Associate with NACWA Legal Affiliate, Beveridge & Diamond, presented an overview of recent climate change litigation brought by municipalities, individuals and environmental groups, all of which involve novel theories of liability.  Richard Davis, Principal with Beveridge & Diamond, provided a deeper dive on some of the ongoing litigation, and discussed efforts to develop a standard of care for climate change adaptation and resiliency, including a recent report issued by Conservation Law Foundation.  Mickey Conway, Co-Chair of the NACWA Legal Affairs Committee and District Manager of NACWA Public Agency Member, Metro Wastewater Reclamation District, provided an overview of the innovative ways in which Metro District is responding to climate change as a critical part of the water cycle in Denver, CO.

NACWA encourages members interested in these and other legal issues to join the Legal Affairs Committee.  The next meeting of the Committee will continue the conversation on climate change liability and is scheduled as a joint meeting with the Climate & Resiliency Committee on July 23 from 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm ET as part of NACWA’s Utility Leadership Conference in Boston, MA. 

The next Hot Topics in Clean Water Law webinar is scheduled for September 12 from 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm ET.  Members are encouraged to submit potential topics to Erica Spitzig, NACWA’s Deputy General Counsel.