Clean Water Current

(March 26, 2019) – NACWA participated in a panel discussion on the recent integrated planning legislation last week at a conference of the Association of Clean Water Administrators (ACWA), which represents state water regulators.  The panel, which also included speakers from the U.S. Conference of Mayors and EPA, provided an opportunity for NACWA to highlight the history behind the legislation and what the Association hopes it will accomplish moving forward. 

The discussion following the panel provided an excellent opportunity for NACWA to engage with state regulators from around the country.  Many states expressed interested in further utilizing integrated planning approaches, especially through the permitting context, but expressed frustration about a lack of guidance on how to do this.  Many states also expressed growing concern over how affordability issues continue to impact their municipal permittees and asked how integrated planning could help address these issues. 

NACWA very much appreciated the invitation from ACWA to participate in the discussion, and the Association looks forward to continued engagement with the states and EPA to develop additional resources that will facilitate full implementation of the integrated planning legislation. Members with questions can contact Nathan Gardner-Andrews, NACWA’s Chief Advocacy Officer.