NACWA’s advocacy on wipes has marked several milestones in 2022. Working with the Water Environment Federation (WEF), the American Public Works Association (APWA), and other water associations, NACWA ramped up its advocacy efforts on the wipes issue beginning in 2013, identifying three actions that needed to occur to reduce problems caused by wipes for utilities: (1) Improved “Do Not Flush” labeling on non-flushable wipes; (2) Flushable wipes that are truly flushable; and (3) Public education on proper flushing habits.

Since January, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has been reviewing EPA’s proposed rule to list PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA).

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) was signed into law by President Biden on Tuesday, August 16. The IRA is a major legislative package bundling together energy/climate, healthcare, and tax provisions.

NACWA staff joined the Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP) this week for its annual conference in Columbus, OH. The event brought together over 200 Technical Assistance Providers (TAPs) from RCAP’s regional partners and rural leaders from across the country to connect and share best practices.

This afternoon, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) into law, enacting some of the most historic climate-related provisions in Congressional history, packaged with significant health care and tax provisions.

The Beaufort-Jasper Water & Sewer Authority (BJWSA) in South Carolina devised a creative solution to address the ongoing employment challenges it encounters in two entry-level departments, as well as encourage more community interest in clean water careers. BJWSA’s customer service and field operations departments often provide a steppingstone to internal promotions. While providing a pipeline of employees for other parts of the utility, these departments were left in a constant state of hiring new staff.