Clean Water Current Archive

The Michigan Water Environment Association (MWEA) released a report April 15 highlighting how Michigan clean water utilities are pursuing “Utility of the Future (UOTF)” concepts.

EPA’s Water Infrastructure and Resiliency Finance Center will host a series of webinars on stormwater finance to help communities across the country identify financial strategies to leverage and support their stormwater management programs.

EPA published a request for comment in the Federal Register on April 13, in response to President Trump’s Executive Order 13777 on Enforcing the Regulatory Reform Agenda, seeking input on federal regulations that may be appropriate for repeal, replacement or modification. The notice requests feedback from the public by May 15, and asks that comments be as specific as possible and include any supporting data or information, including cost impacts.

The NACWA Board recently approved the filing of a joint amicus curiae brief in cooperation with The Wet Weather Partnership, to provide an important national perspective for issues crucial to municipal separate stormwater systems (MS4s).

A bipartisan group of congressional representatives recently sent a letter to the House Interior & Environment Appropriations Subcommittee requesting a doubling of the State Revolving Funds (SRFs) in Fiscal Year 2018 (FY18), relative to FY16 enacted level.

NACWA Deputy General Counsel, Erica Spitzig co-authored an article for the American Bar Association (ABA) publication, Natural Resources & Environment, evaluating the future of “presumptive approach” as a tool for meeting combined sewer overflow (CSO) controls.

NACWA will be offering a free webinar to members on May 24 at 2:00 PM ET, providing an update on the status of key Association advocacy priorities under the new Trump Administration and the new Congress.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit dismissed litigation April 12 filed on behalf of wastewater treatment plants arguing that EPA exceeded its authority when it objected to draft NPDES permits issued by the state of California, finding no final agency action subject to judicial review.

NACWA updated and briefed water professionals on issues regarding the Trump Administration and new Congress on April 11 during the largest regional water conference in the United States.

NACWA participated in a roundtable discussion April 11 in Washington, DC, to analyze and advance solutions for issues regarding trenchless technology.

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee unanimously reported out S. 692, the Water Infrastructure Flexibility Act (WIFA) on April 5.

Capitol Hill is a bit quieter, with the House and Senate on recess until April 24, but these weeks are still an important period for clean water advocacy.

NACWA filed a brief April 10, in support of EPA’s approval of a state general nutrient variance, which was challenged by environmental groups in federal district court. (See Upper Missouri Waterkeeper v. EPA, U.S. District Court, Montana).

The U.S. Supreme Court decided on April 3 to continue hearing litigation over the Obama administration's Clean Water Rule, also known as the “Waters of the United States (WOTUS)” rule.

NACWA recently joined with a broad coalition of organizations—concerned about preserving tax-exempt municipal bonds—in a letter to Congress organized by the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

The NACWA Facility & Collection System Committee will have a web meeting on Thursday, April 27, to discuss blending and wet weather treatment.

NACWA and the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA) are prominently featured in the cover story in this week’s TIME magazine titled Dear Washington, We Need to Rebuild. Can You Get Your Act Together – 25 Smart Ways to Fix Our Infrastructure.

NACWA is finalizing the details for a mid-April meeting with EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt and key staff to discuss the Association’s priority issues.

The Senate Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water and Wildlife of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee held a hearing last Tuesday on S. 692, the Water Infrastructure Flexibility Act, a bipartisan bill sponsored by Senators Deb Fischer (R-NE), Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Ben Cardin (D-MD).

NACWA submitted comments March 29 on EPA’s proposed updates for the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for publicly owned treatment works (POTWs), which was published as part of the Agency’s required residual risk and technology review.