NACWA recently submitted comments responding to a notice published in the Federal Register by EPA proposing to update its Ambient Water Quality Criteria Recommendations for Lakes and Reservoirs in the Conterminous United States and seeking input on its new methodology which will replace the Agency’s 2000-2001 ecoregional criteria.

With input from the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA) and NACWA, Raftelis, a NACWA Affiliate Member, has developed an online questionnaire that will help develop an up-to-date understanding of the trends and revenue impacts utilities around the country are experiencing related to delinquent customer accounts and lower system usage resulting from the economic fallout of COVID-19.

EPA is offering a free webinar on September 1 for interested applicants to the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program.

In 2019, the Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County began construction on the Clearwater Project, consisting of a 7-mile, 18-foot diameter, almost entirely underground tunnel and outfall system that conveys clean water from its largest wastewater treatment facility to the ocean. The project will ensure the main sewer system's reliability and future capacity needs with serving over 5 million people in Los Angeles County.

NACWA utility members are sharing information on the Association’s Engage peer-to-peer platform regarding sewer service disconnections during the COVID-19 pandemic, flexible payment arrangements, and assistance programs.

NACWA held an initial call with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) lead COVID-19 watershed-based epidemiological (WBE) surveillance team on Friday, August 14.

On August 13th, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced that his Chamber will adjourn until Labor Day, dashing final hopes for passage of another phase of federal COVID-19 relief before the fall.