Clean Water Current

On November 13, NACWA was pleased to join the Texas water sector virtually for the Water Environment Legislative and Regulatory Horizon Conference, hosted by the Water Environment Association of Texas (WEAT) and the Texas Association of Clean Water Agencies

After a long and hard-fought election season, Joe Biden has been elected the 46th President of the United States, ushering in a major political shift in the White House while the majorities controlling Congress likely remain unchanged. Democrats retained control of the US House of Representatives, and Republicans are favored to retain control of the US Senate after the Georgia Senate races are decided in a January 5 runoff election.

NACWA is pleased to unveil a much-anticipated Stormwater Permit Screening Program that will help municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) permittees navigate the growing complexities often found in renewed stormwater permits.

Earlier this week, NACWA joined with several state associations representing clean water utilities throughout the country in filing an amicus brief to the US District Court for the Western District of Missouri supporting the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) approval of the State of Missouri’s nutrient criteria for lakes.

In a move to provide “additional flexibility” for National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) authorized state programs and permittees, EPA published a final rule on November 2 extending the deadline to transition from paper to electronic reporting to December 21, 2025.

In a significant legislative achievement, President Trump signed S. 3501, America’s Conservation Enhancement Act, into law on October 30. This comprehensive bill seeks to advance habitat and wildlife conservation across the U.S., including watershed conservation.

Immediately following yesterday’s Awards Ceremony and 50th Anniversary Commemoration, NACWA’s Board of Directors met for its Fall meeting to conduct Association business and discuss key advocacy priorities for the upcoming year.

NACWA is thrilled to unveil its 50th Anniversary Report, which debuted Oct. 28 during the Association’s Virtual Awards Ceremony. The event also served as the launch for NACWA’s 50th Anniversary video and website.

NACWA is pleased to share a new report published this week by CDM Smith in collaboration with NACWA, the Water Environment Federation (WEF), and the North East Biosolids and Residuals Association (NEBRA) that quantifies the cost impacts of PFAS policies and regulations at 29 publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) and biosolids management facilities mainly located in the New England region but also in several other states throughout the country.

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.

On October 19, Central Arkansas Water (CAW) posted a $30.6 million green bond certified under the Climate Bonds Water Infrastructure Criteria. The new bond is the first of its kind to acquire and protect forests specifically to secure clean drinking water.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its website earlier this week with new resources and information for COVID-19 RNA wastewater surveillance.

NACWA submitted comments October 19 on the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA's) proposed 2020 Financial Capability Assessment for Clean Water Act Obligations (2020 FCA Document).

The US Senate is focused this week on advancing the pending Supreme Court nomination and the looming Congressional and Presidential elections. Last-ditch negotiations on COVID-19 relief are also continuing as of this writing between the White House and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.

President Trump issued an Executive Order October 13 outlining a series of steps his administration will take to modernize the nation’s water resource management and water infrastructure.

The Missouri Product Stewardship Council held a Virtual Pharmaceuticals Stewardship Stakeholders Meeting on October 14 and 15 to discuss how to implement and encourage pharmaceutical take-back programs in the state.

The US Department of Agriculture is seeking applications for grants under a pilot program to help develop innovative treatment solutions of regional wastewater systems in rural America.

This special edition of the Current will begin with a note from our Chief Executive Officer, Adam Krantz:

In the past week, two widely read and respected media outlets with a focus on Washington, DC policymaking ran in-depth stories on two critical clean water issues.

While there continues to be some back and forth between the White House and Congress on a potential COVID-19 relief package, it remains very unlikely that any final comprehensive bill comes together before the election, regardless of the pandemic’s continuing impact and devastation around the country.