NACWA and the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA) sent a joint letter last week to House and Senate Appropriations Committee Leadership requesting the highest level of Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) funding for the Drinking Water and Clean Water State Revolving Funds (SRFs) and to fund an EPA pilot program for low-income water customer assistance.

NACWA sent a letter to U.S. EPA Nov. 1 that outlined a set of clean water technology principles and policy recommendations to ensure enhanced collaboration with the federal government in developing and deploying innovative technologies to help clean water agencies better and more cost-effectively meet growing 21st century challenges.

During the pandemic, NACWA has engaged with the National League of Cities (NLC) to share information regarding the growth of wastewater-based epidemiology. The NLC is launching a new initiative and is seeking interested POTW and local governments to participate. A synopsis of this effort and contact information is below for interested utilities.

The Maryland Department of Planning (MDP) will hold a free webinar on Friday, November 4th to discuss the role utilities can have in protecting critical infrastructure from climate change threats. While the webinar will feature a number of Maryland utilities, it is relevant and will contain helpful information for utilities nationwide.

The National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) is pleased to provide you with the September/October 2022 Regulatory Update. Please feel free to contact NACWA staff for more information on any of the issues raised in this Update.

Alexandria Renew Enterprises (AlexRenew), the regional public wastewater treatment provider in Alexandria, Virginia, recently began construction on its RiverRenew Tunnel Project, a state-mandated project to reduce combined sewer overflows in Alexandria. Since the start of the Project’s planning, AlexRenew has conducted significant community outreach to engage and educate Alexandria’s residents about the importance of the RiverRenew Tunnel Project.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Oct. 25 that it will not be extending the public comment period for its proposed designation of PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) beyond the 60 days initially offered for comment.

EPA released on Oct. 21 its Final Implementation Guidance for Congressionally Directed Projects, which the Agency also calls Community Grants but are more commonly known as earmarks.

The federal Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) recently announced the relaunch of the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) resource website, waterhelp.info.

NACWA hosted a webinar, Comprehensive Cost Analysis on Impacts of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) on the Clean Water Community, on October 20th to brief NACWA members about an on-going project to identify and quantify the scope of PFAS-related costs to the public clean water community.

Last Tuesday, October 18 marked the 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act (CWA). The significant milestone was celebrated with events throughout the country.

EPA hosted an event Oct. 18 to recognize the 50th Anniversary of the landmark Clean Water Act (CWA) along the banks of the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland Ohio, with many NACWA members present to join the celebration.

NACWA hosted a virtual press conference October 13 as part of the Association’s celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act and to highlight the instrumental role that public clean water utilities have played in the CWA’s success over the last 50 years.

NACWA hosted a webinar, Potential Impacts of PFAS CERCLA Designations on Clean Water Utilities, on Oct. 17 outlining the major provisions of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA or Superfund) and the significant impacts EPA’s proposal to designate PFOA and PFOS as CERCLA hazardous substances could have on clean water utilities.

NACWA was pleased to join with the Water Environment Federation (WEF) on October 11 to sponsor the annual Utility Leaders’ Afternoon at WEFTEC 2022.

EPA hosted a meeting Oct. 19 with NACWA and other associations to discuss an upcoming Agency memo on addressing PFAS in pretreatment and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits.

WASHINGTON, D.C, CHICAGO, SEATTLE (October 13, 2022) – Leading members of the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) took part in a national news conference today drawing attention to the impact of 10 major rain and flood events in 2022 and examining how the aggregate effect of climate change and fresh operational challenges in the water sector are exposing a federal funding gap for modernization of clean water infrastructure.

The U.S. Supreme Court this week began its October term on Oct. 3 by hearing oral arguments in the on-going battle over the scope of federal Clean Water Act (CWA) jurisdiction in the case of Sackett v. EPA. At issue in the case is whether the Sacketts need a CWA Section 404 permit to develop certain wetlands on their property, but before the Court are broader questions concerning the Act’s reach over wetlands as “waters of the United States” (WOTUS).

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 1 issued an updated National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) General Permit for medium-sized POTWs in Massachusetts on September 28. Because this permit is issued by EPA itself and not a Clean Water Act (CWA) authorized state permitting authority, it serves as a good example of how EPA would like to see delegated states craft their permits.

Members of Congress are home in their states and districts this month during a congressional recess as they campaign for the upcoming General Election on November 8. This is the perfect time to reach out to your federal elected officials and educate them on the importance of your utility's work to protect public health and the environment in your community.