The Upper Trinity Regional Water District (UTWRD) owns and operates the Riverbend Water Reclamation Plant (WRP) in Aubrey, Texas. The plant was originally constructed with a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) process for activated sludge. In January of 2016, UTRWD initiated a project to improve operational reliability and increase flow capacity. Though the goals of the project were challenging, the plan was successfully implemented with both an innovative treatment technology and project delivery method.

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.