Clean Water Current

NACWA submitted a letter last week to the Arizona Legislature on a very active bill that would restrict where Class B biosolids can be land applied in the state. The Arizona legislation marks a continuation of concerning action at the state level across the country to limit biosolids management options.

NACWA submitted comments March 17 on EPA’s Draft Inventory of US Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2021 as part of the public review process. The annual Inventory provides nationwide estimates for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for different sectors, including wastewater treatment, and is intended to be used only for informational purposes.

In a judgment issued the day before the rule took effect, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas on Sunday enjoined the Biden administration’s revised Clean Water Act (CWA) definition of “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) in two states – Texas and Idaho.

NACWA joined a broad coalition of water, agriculture and conservation groups on a recent letter to EPA Administrator Regan and U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Haaland in support of the Interagency Committee on Water Management and Infrastructure.

Members of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW) held a hearing March 15 focused on the opportunities and challenges of implementing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) through the eyes of the public drinking and wastewater sectors. Committee members heard testimony from Tom Sigmund, NACWA President and Executive Director of NEW Water, in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced March 14 its proposal for a National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) for several PFAS chemicals including PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, GenX, PFHxS, and PFBS.

EPA earlier this year published a suite of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) as guidance in an effort to help states and tribes adopt and implement EPA’s updated 2021 Recommended Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Nutrients in Lakes and Reservoirs. The FAQs are intended for permit writers.

The White House released its proposed Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Federal Budget on March 9. The proposal lays out the President’s request for how to advance the Biden Administration’s priorities through annual spending in the federal fiscal year beginning October 1.

NACWA submitted comments this week on the latest proposed guidance regarding Build America, Buy America (BABA) implementation. BABA was signed into law last year to expand domestic procurement preferences beyond iron and steel to include manufactured goods and construction materials which are used in infrastructure projects receiving any form of federal funding.

NACWA hosted a webinar on March 8th providing a comprehensive overview of EPA’s Clean Watersheds Needs Survey (CWNS).

NACWA is deeply saddened to report the passing of former NACWA Board Member and President David Williams, who passed away on March 1. Williams served as NACWA’s President from 2011-2012. He also served on the Board of Directors of NACWA Member Utility the Central Contra Costa Sanitary District.

NACWA sent a letter to Capitol Hill on February 28 outlining the Association’s top legislative priorities for the 2023 Farm Bill reauthorization. Congress recently kicked off work on this important legislative initiative, which happens once every 5 years.

Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) and Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) introduced legislation this week, S.660/H.R.1367, the Water System Threat Preparedness and Resilience Act, which provides federal resources and tools to the WaterISAC to expand membership and further assist drinking water and clean water utilities better prepare and mitigate against cyber security and other growing threats and risks.

In comments on EPA's National Enforcement and Compliance Initiatives (NECIs) for Fiscal Years 2024 - 2027, NACWA this week encouraged the Agency to reconsider its proposed designations of PFOA and PFOS as CERCLA hazardous substances in light of its new enforcement goals.

To help members as they continue to respond to the ongoing challenges surrounding PFAS, NACWA is pleased to share a new PFAS Communications Toolkit that includes various resources for utilities responding to public, media, or political leader inquiries.

EPA is offering several upcoming opportunities for the public to directly engage with the Agency around PFAS issues.

EPA recently released initial guidance for the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF), a major new source of funding created through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).

In a major victory for NACWA public utility member the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA), a federal district court recently threw out a citizen suit alleging that the utility was not properly enforcing its Clean Water Act (CWA) pretreatment program.

Massachusetts, Colorado, and Hawaii are the latest states looking to address the problem of flushed wipes through legislation. Washington, Oregon, California, and Illinois have already instituted labeling requirements for non-flushable wipes, requiring prominent “Do Not Flush” logos on packages of baby wipes, personal hygiene wipes, disinfecting wipes, and other wipes that are likely to be used in bathrooms and flushed.

Wondering if or how you should participate in EPA’s Clean Watersheds Needs Survey (CWNS)? Join us March 8, from 2:00-3:30 PM ET, for a complimentary webinar, Measuring Capital Improvement Needs Through the 2022-2023 Clean Watersheds Needs Survey, to get all the details you need.