The 2019 National Water Policy Fly-In set a record for attendance and participation last week as more than 320+ participants—most traveling to Washington, DC from other regions across the country—taking to Capitol Hill, and conducting hundreds of consequential face-to-face meetings with lawmakers and staffers in many congressional offices. The event served as an excellent anchor piece for Water Week 2019

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requested nominations, on April 3, to the Environmental Financial Advisory Board (EFAB) on stormwater funding and financing. In response to congressional requirements in the 2018 Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), EPA is establishing a Stormwater Task Force within EFAB and is seeking input on stormwater funding opportunities and examples.

The Early Bird registration for NACWA’s 2019 Utility Leadership Conference is April 16 – hurry and register today to take advantage of discounted registration! The last decade has brought about significant changes – from the national level and the growing partisan divide, to the local level where utilities are playing an increasing-visible role in their communities. Challenges involving workforce, rate setting and affordability, and community and customer engagement are playing out both nationally and locally, putting utility executives in a position that presents both challenges and opportunities.

NACWA presented at the Texas Water 2019 conference in Houston, TX last week during Water Week 2019, providing a national update on the Association’s legislative, regulatory, and legal advocacy efforts, which include recent efforts on federal funding, blending, water reuse, PFAS, and Clean Water Act liability for discharges into groundwater.