Clean Water Current

(October 29, 2020) – NACWA is participating in the expert review of EPA’s Draft Inventory of US Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks:1990-2019. The annual Inventory provides nationwide estimates for greenhouse gas emissions for different sectors and is intended to be used only for informational purposes.

The wastewater treatment category in the Inventory includes publicly owned treatment works (POTWs), septic systems, and industrial wastewater treatment systems. NACWA has reviewed and commented on the POTW emissions estimates in the Inventory since 2007, recommending revisions to more accurately characterize the sector’s emissions.

For first time since NACWA began commenting on it, this year’s Inventory has major changes from the previous year. EPA has made clarifications and minor adjustments in the past, but a new protocol developed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) for calculating wastewater emissions has resulted in some substantial changes. 

NACWA is currently reviewing the draft Inventory and will provide more analysis to members after completing review. NACWA members with expertise in greenhouse gas emissions who would like to assist with the review should contact Cynthia Finley, NACWA’s Director of Regulatory Affairs.