Hundreds of NACWA members, water sector leaders and water professionals from around the country are arriving in Washington DC this week to advocate with Congress and key national policy makers for clean water.

The US Senate’s Committee on Environmental and Public Works (EPW) held a hearing on March 28, entitled “Examining the Federal Response to the Risks Associated with Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS).” David Ross, Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Water, testified along with Maureen Sullivan, Dr. Patrick Breysse, and Dr. Linda Birnbaum with the Department of Defense, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Institute of Health, respectively.

The House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee marked up H.R. 1331 on March 27, which is a bill to reauthorize the Sec. 319 Nonpoint Source Grants Program. This legislation was sponsored by Committee Members Reps. Angie Craig (D-MN) and Brian Mast (R-FL).

The first regulation of flushable wipes in the U.S. has been proposed by the District of Columbia (DC) Department of Energy and the Environment (DOEE). DOEE was required to develop these regulations by the District’s wipes labeling law, the Nonwoven Disposable Products Act of 2016.

EPA announced last week its Notice of Funding Availability for the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program for 2019. This is the third round of funding that has been made available under the program

EPA announced last week its Notice of Funding Availability for the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program for 2019. This is the third round of funding that has been made available under the program.

NACWA’s Small & Mid-Size Utility Workgroup met on March 20th to discuss advocacy and strategies for building effective relationships with legislators. Tim Haskell, Superintendent of the York Sanitary District in Maine shared his experiences building coalitions and engaging utility partners in educating the Maine legislator on the need for infrastructure funding- an effort that resulted in a $30 million state bond. NACWA legislative directors, Kristina Surfus and Jason Isakovic, also shared their experience building effectively building relationships with both legislators and legislative staff.