During its quarterly meeting with water sector partners, EPA’s Water Security Division outlined the risk assessment and emergency response plans required of drinking water utilities in the America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018, which was signed by President Trump on October 23. The comprehensive Act includes funding stipulations for the state revolving funds and extends the authorization for the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA).

NACWA presented at the Water Environment Horizon Conference, co-sponsored by Water Environment Association of Texas and Texas Association of Clean Water Agencies, in Austin, Texas on November 8. The Association provided a national update on NACWA’s legislative, regulatory, and legal advocacy efforts, including recent work on affordability, integrated planning, blending, and Clean Water Act liability for discharges into groundwater.

Through the Living River Project, NACWA Member Agency the Pima County Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department (RWRD) raises the public’s awareness about improvement in the riparian ecosystem health of the Santa Cruz River in Pima County, AZ. The Project—through written annual reports, e-media, public outreach activities, and school outings—has become an inventive tool for educating people about the effects of wastewater treatment on local wetlands. It uses an innovative approach to...

NACWA provided written comments to EPA on October 31 regarding the Agency’s development of a proposed rule on peak wet weather flow blending. The comments emphasized the public health and environmental benefits of treating all wet weather flows at the treatment plant with blending and reducing upstream overflows and basement backups.

The Low-Income Water Customer Assistance Programs Act (S.3564) was formally unveiled October 31 at a press conference in Baltimore by Sen. Cardin (D-MD). Baltimore Director of Public Works Rudy Chow, a NACWA Board Member, spoke at the event alongside Sen. Cardin, Baltimore Mayor Catherine E. Pugh, and other local officials and stakeholders. Sen. Cardin and his Republican cosponsor, Sen. Wicker (R-MS) issued a joint press release to mark the occasion.

The National Council for Public-Private Partnerships (NCPPP) teamed up with EPA on November 1 to hold a one-day symposium tailored to understanding how public-private partnerships (P3s) can be an effective means of leveraging resources and funding opportunities for municipal stormwater infrastructure.