The U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Wage and Hour Division (WHD) this week published guidance on how it intends to implement the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), including a directive that public works personnel be considered “emergency responders” under the law.

EPA issued a news release on March 30 to encourage Americans to only flush toilet paper. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and toilet paper shortages, wastewater utilities have seen an increase in flushing of wipes and other materials.

EPA’s newly appointed Municipal Ombudsperson, Jamie Piziali, met virtually with NACWA staff on March 30 to discuss NACWA’s long-standing work on Integrated Planning initiatives, including the importance of having an Ombudsperson office within EPA’s Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Relations serve as a liaison between EPA Headquarters, municipalities, state regulators and EPA Regional Offices.

The Water Sector Coordinating Council (WSCC) met on March 25 to discuss the impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak on the water sector and met the following day with the Water Government Coordinating Council (GCC). The WSCC and GCC had originally planned to meet in person on these dates but moved to a web meeting format due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

NACWA and its members have been active in their outreach to the media during this extraordinary time.