Earlier this year, the U.S. Census Bureau revised and finalized new criteria for how it defines urban areas based on the 2020 Census. The Bureau's new criteria eliminate the term "urbanized areas," which will have a subsequent impact on how EPA and states designate and regulate Phase II municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s) under the Clean Water Act.

As anticipated, EPA recently proposed a rule to eliminate the de minimus reporting exemption that allows facilities to avoid reporting PFAS to the Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA).

The LOTT Clean Water Alliance (LOTT) treats wastewater from homes and businesses in Lacey, Olympia, and Tumwater, in Thurston County, Washington, serving more than 119,000 people. Since 2010, LOTT’s education and outreach efforts have been delivered primarily through its award-winning WET Science Center, with interactive exhibits and educational programming focused on the importance of wastewater treatment, the highly sophisticated processes involved, and the exceptional staff who keep things running.

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution on November 30 to force rail worker unions to accept an agreement negotiated in September by the White House. The Senate is expected to quickly consider the measure next.

The Water Sector Coordinating Council (WSCC) met on November 15 to discuss issues related to the security and emergency preparedness of the water sector, particularly cybersecurity and supply chain issues. The WSCC also met with the Water Government Coordinating Council (GCC) the following day.

On November 29th, U.S. EPA announced the release of $52 million in grants to states to improve essential stormwater infrastructure, reduce sewer overflows and invest in water reuse projects. States must apply to EPA to secure the funding for projects in their local communities, so clean water agencies interested in this program should contact their state water financing authorities.

The White House released an updated version of its Justice40 screening tool on November 22, the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST 1.0), to incorporate new data and improvements aimed at ensuring historically disadvantaged communities see the benefits of climate and infrastructure investment.