After starting the work week on January 22 under a cloud of uncertainty as Congressional negotiators failed to end the federal government shutdown over the weekend, Congress was able to reach an agreement by the end of the day to fund the government through February 8th. EPA was not directly impacted by the brief, three day shutdown as the Agency had previously announced it had enough funds to operate until January 26 absent a funding agreement.

NACWA members were briefed by EPA staff January 19 on the latest draft of an Agency screener questionnaire on nutrient removal. Since 2016, EPA has been developing a multi-year study to evaluate the removal of nutrients by conventional secondary treatment plants.

A document reportedly outlining the White House’s infrastructure plan was leaked to the press this week. Although the authenticity of the document is still unclear, it purports to show a level of detail that has not previously been shared publicly regarding the Trump Administration’s infrastructure plan.

NACWA met with the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) on January 17 to assess the Bureau of Reclamation’s Title XVI program on water reuse and recycling projects, along with their implementation.

The U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision in National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) v. EPA on January 22, finding that litigation over the 2015 Clean Water Rule should proceed in the federal district courts, rather than in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.

The Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Water Resources Subcommittee have held hearings over the last several weeks to discuss ways to improve, modernize, and make more efficient the delivery of Army Corps’ water infrastructure projects.

NACWA’s annual Cost of Clean Water Index Survey is one of the Association’s most-used resources, but we need your help to make this year’s results more meaningful!