NACWA submitted comments March 1 in response to a US Department of Agriculture (USDA) request for input on implementation of the 2018 Farm Bill. NACWA worked closely with Congress during development of the 2018 Farm Bill, advocating for strong conservation program funding, affirmation of the value that point-nonpoint source collaboration in a watershed can provide, and reforms to make it simpler for clean water utilities to participate in USDA programs such as the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP).

(March 12, 2019) - NACWA submitted comments this week on EPA’s proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 – 2023 National Compliance Initiatives (NCIs). EPA’s proposal includes some important positive developments for the public clean water utility sector. Most notably, the proposal moves away from addressing sewer overflows through enforcement as a national enforcement priority. NACWA has devoted significant advocacy effort over recent years to secure this change.

The recent congressional hearing—hosted by the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee's Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee—on advancing clean water infrastructure investment is yet more evidence that clean water issues are growing as a priority in Congress.

NACWA hosted a Hot Topics in Clean Water Law Webinar on March 6, featuring Susan E. Smith and Eric L. Klein—Principals with NACWA Legal Affiliate, Beveridge & Diamond—who addressed emerging Clean Water Act (CWA) and Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) citizen suit legal theories and defense strategies, including the nexus with toxic tort litigation.

NACWA Board Member Andy Kricun will testify on Thursday, March 7, at a hearing of the House Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee entitled, The Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF): How Federal Infrastructure Investment Can Help Communities Modernize Water Infrastructure and Address Affordability Challenges.

Bipartisan legislation has been introduced in both the Senate and House of Representatives that requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to designate per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA).

The Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce held a hearing on Tuesday, February 26 titled, EPA's Enforcement Program: Taking the Environmental Cop Off the Beat.

The Senate voted last week to confirm Andrew Wheeler as Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator, in a mostly party line vote of 52-47. Wheeler had been serving as the acting administrator since July 2018.

NACWA hosted a February 27 meeting of water sector associations and other groups interested in advocating for changing the Food & Drug Administration’s (FDA) recommended disposal options for certain pharmaceuticals.

NACWA spoke as part of a panel of experts last week at the California Association of Sanitation Agencies (CASA) annual DC member Fly-In.

The March 11 deadline to make hotel reservations for the National Water Policy Fly-In is just around the corner – make your plans now to attend!