Clean Water Current

he Energy Workgroup will convene on Tuesday, September 26, from 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm ET for a presentation by representatives from NACWA member agency, the Narragansett Bay Commission.

Both the White House and the U.S. House of Representatives expressed strong support last week for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF), with the House approving a budget amendment that restores full funding to the SRF for Fiscal Year (FY) 2018. NACWA’s advocacy and collaboration with other sector organizations on behalf of water infrastructure funding played a crucial role in this result.

NACWA joined the National League of Cities, the National Association of Counties, and several industry groups to file a brief September 8 with the U.S.

After the devastating impacts of Hurricane Harvey in Texas, the Texas Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (TXWARN) has been effective in assisting affected water and wastewater utilities with their recovery efforts.

In a surprise twist last week, as part of a Hurricane Harvey Relief package the President signed into law a Continuing Resolution that will keep the Federal Government funded into December.

NACWA hosted a conference call September 7 with the Association’s State & Regional Exchange network where representatives from several state and regional clean water organizations nationwide discussed upcoming national advocacy issues.

The International Water Services Flushability Group (IWSFG) is meeting this week to consider public comments received on the IWSFG draft flushability standard.

The Water Environment Federation (WEF), the American Membrane Technology Association (AMTA) and the WateReuse Association co-hosted a briefing September 7, for federal agency officials from the Department of Interior, Department of Energy, the EPA and other agencies and stakeholders on the use of membrane technology for water treatment.

The House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee announced the appointment of Ian Bennitt as Majority Staff Director for the Water Resources Subcommittee.

September 13 is the RSVP deadline to register for the Utility Leaders’ Morning at WEFTEC17.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit issued an order August 24 transferring the challenge to the small municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) permit for New Hampshire to the D.C. Circuit, where a suit regarding the MS4 permit for Massachusetts is already pending.

As parts of Texas and Louisiana continue the recovery process from Hurricane Harvey and its related flooding, NACWA’s thoughts and the support of the entire Association are with all the impacted communities – especially those NACWA member utilities that have been affected.

The Trump Administration has officially announced David Ross as its nominee to be Assistant Administrator for Water.

After almost a month away from Washington, DC, members of Congress returned to Capitol Hill today with a full agenda. Even before the devastation of Hurricane Harvey, Congress faced a packed September schedule.

NACWA sent comments to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on August 31 asking the Agency to increase the required 2018 volume of cellulosic and advanced biofuels for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program.

Registration is now open for the Utility Leaders’ Morning at WEFEC17. Cohosted by the Water Environment Federation (WEF) and NACWA and scheduled for October 3 from 7:30 – 10:30, the event is an excellent opportunity for utilities leaders attending WEFTEC to dialogue with each other and learn about some of the most relevant policy updates impacting clean water utilities.

Susan Bodine, the nominee to head EPA’s enforcement office, is now working as an advisor at EPA on enforcement issues pending Senate confirmation.

Register now for a webinar on September 25 from 1:00 – 2:30 PM ET focused on community service projects being spearheaded by public clean water utilities around the country.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a new tool August 23, aimed at assisting states, territories and authorized tribes in developing water quality standards (WQS) variances.

On Wednesday, September 13, from 2:00-3:30 ET, NACWA will host the next installment of its popular Hot Topics in Clean Water Law webinar series.