Clean Water Current

NACWA was busy last week sharing its clean water perspective across the country, speaking at both the Southeast Stormwater Association’s (SESWA) 13th Annual Regional Stormwater Conference in Hilton Head, SC and at the National Association of Water Company’s (NAWC) conference in San Antonio, TX.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently held a public meeting to report what the Agency has learned to date, and to provide stakeholders with the opportunity to contribute additional input on its Oil and Gas Extraction Wastewater Management Study.

NACWA submitted comments to EPA on October 9, asking the Agency to modify its proposed label language for dichlobenil, a root control chemical. Dichlobenil can be effectively used to control roots in wastewater collection systems, helping to prevent overflows and backups. However, if too much of the chemical is used in too short of a time, it has the potential to both interfere with the microorganisms used in the wastewater treatment process and negatively affect effluent quality. The chemical may also be a safety hazard for collection system workers.

NACWA and other clean water agencies conducted a conference call on October 11 to discuss implantation of the final rule for public notification of combined sewer overflows (CSOs) to the Great Lakes, which EPA developed as required by Congress.

NACWA participated in a meeting - co-hosted by EPA’s Office of Water on October 9 - with the Water Environment Federation, the WateReuse Association, and the American Membrane Technology Association on “Membrane Water Treatment Technology Usage and Needs” in the United States.

The Senate is expected to vote as early as today on the 2018 Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), S.3021, advancing the bill to the President’s desk for signature. The House passed the bill with an overwhelming bipartisan vote last month, and the measure is expected to easily clear the Senate with similar bipartisan support.

The US Geological Survey’s (USGS) National Water Quality Program last week added water quality data from 2017 to its web tool, Tracking Water Quality of the Nation’s Rivers and Streams. The interactive web tool is part of the USGS National Water Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Project that collects data in order to characterize status and trends of surface water quality.

Ever wonder what’s taking place across the water sector, but don’t have time to sift through endless news stories? Then take a look at the Water Sector News & Trends section of the NACWA website to stay current on the latest happenings in water news.

NACWA’s Clean Water Advocate magazine is an invaluable tool for providing important perspectives on the Water Sector’s most pressing issues, as well as helping to keep Member Agencies connected and generally telling the clean water utility story. In keeping with this mission, Advocate editors are making an open call to NACWA membership to submit original articles to be published in future issues of the magazine—beginning with its next release in February 2019 (Winter Issue).

NACWA filed a brief on September 28, along with a coalition representing the clean water sector, supporting Member Agency the Maui County Department of Environmental Management in its petition for writ of certiorari to the US Supreme Court.

NACWA and the WateReuse Association (WRA) are pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which outlines a commitment from the two organizations to work more closely together on issues regarding water reuse and water recycling.

With the federal government now funded into the beginning of the fiscal year, the House has adjourned until after the November mid-term elections. The Senate is expected to remain in DC throughout much of October to complete additional legislative items and nominations for judicial Administration posts.

The Senate Subcommittee on Federal Spending Oversight and Emergency Management held a hearing on September 26 to examine federal government actions regarding the growing public concerns regarding per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). A similar hearing was held by a House Subcommittee last month.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced it will hold a series of information sessions for its Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program.

The House voted to pass several bills last week comprising Tax Reform 2.0, a House Republican legislative package that would make permanent certain short-term tax cuts for individuals and small businesses.

NACWA is again partnering on the American Water Summit 2018 event, which convenes on October 24-26 in Philadelphia, PA. The Summit will feature presentations from several NACWA Board members and other utility and affiliate members, including: Andy Kricun, Executive Director, Camden County Municipal Utilities Authority; David Gadis, General Manager and CEO, DC Water; Kishia Powell, Commissioner, City of Atlanta's Department of Watershed Management; Kevin Shafer, Executive Director, Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District; Harlan Kelly, General Manager, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission; and Karen Pallansch, CEO, Alexandria Renew Enterprises.

As NACWA continues its effort to facilitate peer-to-peer member engagement and to remain a widely accessible source for expert technical information, the Association is pleased to announce that official communications of its various Committees will be moving to the Engage™ platform. Engage™ is NACWA’s online interactive community, forum and resource-sharing site.

NACWA members played a prominent role at WEFTEC2018 this week in New Orleans, helping to promote and advance key clean water priorities.

NACWA staff met with top advisors for Office of Water Assistant Administrator Dave Ross on September 21 to discuss nutrient-related issues and to begin a dialogue on other NACWA advocacy priorities.

With federal Fiscal Year 2019 (FY19) set to begin on October 1, the House is expected to vote on, and pass, an appropriations package this week which includes temporary funding of all federal agencies that have not yet received appropriations from Congress for FY19.