NACWA met with the Government Accountability Office (GAO) Jan. 20 to provide input on a report regarding how EPA has addressed combined sewer overflow (CSO) issues around the country.  GAO initiated the report at the request of a number of members of Congress.

Central to GAO’s investigation is how EPA has addressed CSOs both historically and more recently, including the use of permitting vs. enforcement approaches, consistency in enforcing the CSO Policy and requirements for long-term control plans (LTCPs), the role of new technologies in addressing CSOs, and what the most significant challenges are facing CSO communities.   NACWA provided the perspective of its members on these issues, outlined a number of areas where EPA has been inconsistent in its approach to CSOs, and also highlighted the regulatory uncertainty that many CSO communities face as they approach the end of their LTCPs without a clear understanding of EPA’s permitting directives moving forward. 

GAO is expected to complete and publish its report in the coming months.  NACWA will keep members updated on developments, and any members with questions can contact Nathan Gardner-Andrews, NACWA’s General Counsel and Chief Advocacy Officer.