The National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) is pleased to present the Fall 2018 Legal Update, which summarizes current legal initiatives and developments. More detailed information on the Association’s active cases is available on the Litigation Tracking web page and the Litigation Tracking Spreadsheet.

NACWA met with the Director of EPA’s Office of Wastewater Management, Andrew Sawyers, and Agency key staff on November 29 to discuss a number of issues, including several new programs created by the America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 — the most recent iteration of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA).

With the passing of President George Herbert Walker Bush, Congress has adjusted its schedule for the remainder of the year. President Trump has declared Wednesday, Dec. 5th as a national Day of Mourning, with federal offices closed. The House of Representatives cancelled all votes this week, while the Senate delayed votes until Thursday and postponed hearings.

The American Water Works Association (AWWA) has released a report entitled Cybersecurity Risk & Responsibility in the Water Sector, which outlines the cyber threats to drinking water and wastewater utilities and provides information on how to address these threats.

(December 4, 2018) - NACWA’s Stormwater Management Committee will close out the year with its last committee conference call on December 5. EPA staff will provide an update on the Community Solutions for Stormwater management: A Guide for Voluntary Long-Term Planning, a draft report that was released October 2017.

The Water Sector Coordinating Council (WSCC) met on November 29 to discuss security and other related issues that are impacting the water sector, and also met with the Water Government Coordinating Council (GCC) the following day. During both meetings, the main topic of discussion was the status of the water sector during natural disasters and other emergencies.

A recent US Geological Survey (USGS) report published in a peer-reviewed journal, Science of the Total Environment, analyzes trends in nutrient and sediment loading from rivers and streams that flow into coastal waters.