Clean Water Current

EPA is developing a Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) to help expedite WIFIA project approval.

NACWA held a collaborative roundtable workshop in June with the Western Coalition of Arid States (WESTCAS) in San Diego, CA to discuss the unique perspectives and water resource challenges in both the arid west and in the southeast.

The Senate passed a bill last week that would provide federal support and advance research into the underlying causes of Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs).

NACWA and a number of its utility members took part in a meeting on September 30 to further discussions over peer-to-peer partnerships in the clean water sector and workforce development issues.

NACWA and the Water Environment Federation (WEF) collaborated Oct. 3 to sponsor the Utility Leaders Morning at WEFTEC17, providing a forum for utility professionals to discuss innovations in the water sector and hear directly from senior EPA officials on the Agency’s current water priorities.

Both the Senate and House will look to make progress this week in advancing a Fiscal Year 2018 (FY18) Budget Resolution.

The Energy Workgroup convened last week to discuss the role of renewable energy in NACWA Member Agency the Narragansett Bay Commission’s (NBC) energy portfolio.

The EPA’s Water Finance Center, in partnership with the Environmental Council of the States (ECOS), recently published and released the guide.

NACWA’s Vice President and Executive Director of the Chicago Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD), David St. Pierre, testified today on behalf of NACWA before the House Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment at a hearing titled, Building a 21st Century Infrastructure for America: Water Infrastructure Stakeholder Perspectives.

Kimberly-Clark Corp., a leading manufacturer of flushable wipes and a member of INDA—the association of the nonwoven fabrics industry—filed a lawsuit in federal court on September 15, seeking to thwart Washington, DC’s wipes law, the Nonwoven Disposable Products Act of 2016, which is set to take effect on January 1, 2018.

NACWA spoke with EPA’s Office of Inspector General (IG) on September 22 to discuss the IG’s ongoing evaluation of the Agency’s controls on the land application of biosolids.

NACWA’s State Revolving Fund (SRF) Streamlining Workgroup held a call with EPA on September 20 to discuss ideas for simplifying and streamlining the SRF application and reporting process.

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee cancelled a planned hearing for September 20 to consider several Trump Administration nominations

he Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA) and NACWA met with Lee Forsgren, Deputy Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Water, on September 22 to discuss fiscal year 2018 (FY18) funding for the Office of Water’s Water Security Division (WSD).

Florida Sens. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Bill Nelson (D-FL) issued a letter to EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt on September 20

As Congress grapples with a loaded legislative calendar this Fall, tax reform is moving toward center stage.

Safe Travels to WEFTEC17

The House of Representatives last week passed its complete Fiscal Year 2018 (FY18) funding package with legislation that encompassed all 12 annual Appropriations bills.

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW) will hold a hearing on September 20 to consider five Trump Administration nominees under its jurisdiction.

NACWA is working to gather additional feedback from its members as it prepares to provide input to EPA on the Agency’s new Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rulemaking.