EPA held a webinar on Tuesday, January 21st to update the public on Integrated Planning.

NACWA submitted comments last week in support of EPA approving a short-term variance under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) for Denver Water to comply with a negotiated Lead Reduction Program Plan (LRPP).

The US Geological Survey (USGS) recently released updated SPARROW (SPAtially Referenced Regression on Watershed attributes) models that are helpful tools for land and water resource managers. These models estimate streamflow, total nitrogen and total phosphorus yields and sediment in monitored and unmonitored streams.

NACWA supported improved label language for swimming pool and root control pesticides in two January 17 comment letters.

As anticipated, on Friday, January 10 the US House of Representative voted to pass major legislation to regulate PFAS. The final package, H.R. 535, the PFAS Action Act of 2019 passed the House with a vote of 247-159, with overwhelming support from the House Democratic majority.

The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) proposed a set of sweeping changes last week to the rules governing how environmental reviews of proposed Federal actions are conducted under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

The US Senate unanimously passed comprehensive legislation, S. 1982, the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act on Thursday, January 9. As previously reported, this legislation is a key part of a comprehensive package aimed at reducing the prevalence of marine debris and trash in the nation’s waterways. Among other provisions, the bill requires a Report to Congress from the Interagency Marine Debris Coordinating Committee on microfiber pollution.

Last week, NACWA staff spoke before the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG) Water Security Work Group to brief several DC area public clean water utility managers regarding ongoing PFAS legislative developments in Congress.

The Association’s previous General Counsel, Amanda Waters, left at the end of December to pursue opportunities in the private legal sector. NACWA thanks Amanda for all her hard work and dedication to the Association and wishes her well in her future endeavors.

In collaboration with the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) and the Freshwater Forum at the Cranbrook Institute of Science, the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) created a comprehensive education program – the One Water Campaign. The highly visible and engaging regional campaign was designed to raise awareness of and generate appreciation for water resources and infrastructure topics including drinking water, wastewater, stormwater and the connection of these to the blue economy, recreation, quality of life and economic prosperity in Southeast Michigan.