News
EPA Proposes ICR on PFAS for Metal Finishing and Electroplating point source ELG Category Facilities
This week, EPA’s Effluent Limitations Guidelines program published a FRN requesting comment on a proposed Information Collection Request for the Metal Finishing and Electroplating point source ELG categories. EPA’s Multi-Industry PFAS Study found that PFAS are used by some metal finishing and electroplating facilities to control hexavalent chromium emissions, a known human carcinogen and inhalation hazard. However, studies and review of available data as part of ongoing ELG revisions to address PFAS discharges have demonstrated insufficient data about the use and discharge of PFAS at these facilities. EPA has concluded that a data questionnaire and discharge sampling is necessary to determine if the current category ELGs are appropriate or if updates to address PFAS are warranted. The ICR would include a required PFAS questionnaire for the ~1,815 domestic facilities in the category and discharge sampling at up to 20. There are 62 days to comment on the FRN, due January 17th.
Available Resources from the CWA 303(d) and 319 Protection Learning Exchange
In July, the Environmental Law Institute (ELI) convened a virtual workshop focused on protection. This event brought together water quality staff from CWA 303(d) Listing and TMDL, CWA 319/Nonpoint Source, and Healthy Watersheds Programs from 20 states, 4 tribes, several EPA regions, and EPA Headquarters. The event was intended to not only inform participants but produce materials that would help the wider community of water quality practitioners.
Presentations and materials from the event are available here: https://www.eli.org/freshwater-ocean/cwa-303d-and-319-protection-learning-exchange-presentations-and-materials.
Call for CWA 303(d) Success Stories Related to Nutrients
NEIWPCC is excited to announce the opportunity to share success stories from your 303(d) programs!
What we’re looking for – We’re looking to highlight stories from your programs related to nutrients. The goal is to highlight stories that showcase success in your programs. Success could mean anything from delisting a waterbody to working with a new community or anything in between.
About this project – NEIWPCC has been working with Flip the Field and EPA on a project focused on telling success stories from the 303(d) program. This project began a few years ago with a conversation on communication at the National CWA 303(d) Conference. It officially kicked off this year on the 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act with the first episode of The Clean Water Pod.
Why should you submit? – If your story is chosen, we’ll turn it into at least one communication product that you can share with your stakeholders. Potential communication products include StoryMaps, watershed report cards, videos and more. We’ll work with you to make sure your story is being told in a way that can help your program communicate your successes with stakeholders. Your story could even end up on the next season of The Clean Water Pod!
How do I submit my story? – To submit your nutrient related success story, please respond to Courtney Botelho ( cbotelho@neiwpcc.org ) with a brief summary of the following information:
- Overview of the problem
- Who were the key players and what role did they play?
- What were the biggest challenges you needed to overcome to reach success
- What was the outcome and what message do you want to share with your stakeholders?
Association Updates
ACWA Responds to EPA’s Memo “Accelerating Nutrient Pollution Reductions in the Nation’s Waters”
ACWA has sent a response letter to EPA regarding their memo “Accelerating Nutrient Pollution Reductions in the Nation’s Waters.” This response letter was headed by the Nutrients Policy Committee with input from many states and ACWA’s board. You can read the letter here.
Meetings and Webinars
ACWA EJ Committee Upcoming Meeting: November 29th
The ACWA EJ Committee will be having a call on November 29, at 2:00pm EST. This call will feature a presentation from members of NJ DEP on how they are implementing their Environmental Justice Law, and how they are engaging with OBCs and Stakeholders.
Please contact Jasper Hobbs for registration info.
ACWA Monitoring Standards and Assessment Committee Upcoming Meetings: November 29th & 30th, December 7th & 13th
For registration and agenda, please contact Jake Adler.
Advanced ECHO Webinar: Drinking Water, December 6
Join U.S. EPA for its next Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO) webinar on Tuesday, December 6, 2022, 1:30-2:30 PM Eastern Time. This advanced webinar explores how to use ECHO tools to access and understand the drinking water program enforcement and compliance data. EPA will demonstrate examples of how an individual may use the drinking water ECHO tools to identify compliance data related to the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), including how to search for information about Sanitary Surveys and Action Level Exceedances associated with the Lead and Copper Rule.
Register at https://echo.epa.gov/help/training#upcoming to save your spot.
2023 National NPDES Meeting
February 28 – March 2, 2023
Washington, DC
This is a closed meeting intended to help support states and EPA to build staff capacity, identify challenges & barriers to NPDES program implementation, highlight opportunities for permitting authority program improvement & enhancement, showcase NPDES program innovations, assist with analysis of training, guidance, tools, and other support material needs, improve administrative efficiencies, clarify roles and responsibilities, build stronger linkages to other programs, modernize permit terms, improve data management, discuss program performance measures, identify program areas where targeted technical assistance would be most beneficial, and attempt to solve some of the most intractable NPDES Program issues.
Updated information about this meeting can be found here.
Job Opportunities
Clean Water (NPDES) Permitting Manager | Colorado Water Quality Control Division
Location: Denver, CO
Closing Date: November 24, 2022
Colorado is looking for a champion to lead our team of dedicated permit drafters, permit data management staff, and support staff to implement the clean water permitting program. This is a rewarding position, continuing and advancing a high-performing permitting program to tackle the challenges, and rewards, of regulating point source discharges in a high altitude headwaters state. Colorado is looking for candidates that can further our work with regulated entities, potentially impacted communities and other stakeholders to build on our program to protect and restore Colorado’s water quality for public health, the environment, and future generations.
For more information, click here.
401 Water Quality Certification Program Manager/Permit Writer | Utah Department of Environmental Quality
Location: Salt Lake County, UT
Closing Date: November 17, 2022
The Utah Division of Water Quality 401 Water Quality Certification Program Coordinator ensures that federally permitted or licensed activities will be conducted in a manner that will comply with applicable Utah discharge and water quality requirements in order to maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of waters of the State of Utah. This position is also responsible for management of several UPDES General Permits.
For more information, click here.
Water Quality Senior Environmental Engineer | Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
Location: Bend, Klamath Falls, Pendleton, or The Dalles, Oregon
Closing Date: 12/13/2022
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has an opening for a Water Quality Senior Environmental Engineer (Environmental Engineer 3). For more information, click here.
Environmental Permit Specialist III | Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
Location: Austin, Texas
Closing Date: 12/2/2022
Our Environmental Permit Specialist III job posting in our Water Quality Division at Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has been extended and will close on 12/2/22.
More information may be found here.
Manager (Staff Attorney) | NEIWPCC
Location: Lowell, MA
Closing Date: November 28, 2022
NEIWPCC is seeking collaborative, thoughtful and dedicated candidates for a full-time Program Manager (Staff Attorney) position within our established interstate water organization. This position would provide legal expertise on policy matters of significant importance, as well as independent advice and recommendations on a wide range topics for senior management within the agency. This position requires advanced knowledge and expertise in environmental law and the ability to provide expert and independent legal advice in both oral and written formats.
For more information, click here.
Streets Chief Operator | City of Troutdale
Location: Troutdale, OR
Closing Date: November 27, 2022
Perform a variety of complex and/or confidential activities, operations and maintenance tasks to maintain the infrastructure within the city. In a lead capacity, carry out duties of the City’s Streets Division. In conjunction with streets personnel, ensure proper operation and maintenance of the City’s street network, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, traffic control devices, and pavement markings. Oversee preventive maintenance programs. Assist superintendent with operational decisions, and the formulation of maintenance programs.
For more information, click here.
Public Works Operator I | City of Troutdale
Location: Troutdale, OR
Closing Date: November 27, 2022
An entry level position performing a variety of tasks in the construction, operation, maintenance and repair of public works streets, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, right of ways, and storm facilities.
For more information, click here.
Natural Resources Specialist (Drinking Water Specialist) | Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
Location: Austin, TX
Closing Date: November 21, 2022
As a part of the division’s Water Supply team, our Natural Resources Specialist II will play a key role in achieving TCEQ’s mission. You would use your skills and experience to provide assistance for at-risk public water systems to include the evaluation of utilities in need of financial, managerial, and technical assistance as well as for drought related activities and optimization activities, for the Water Supply Division of the TCEQ.
For more information, click here.
Senior Permit Manager/Financial Project Manager (Environmental Specialist 4) | Washington Department of Ecology
Location: Spokane, WA
Closing Date: November 20, 2022
Learn and become one of our top senior specialists and part of a professional team leading the protection of Washington State’s valuable waters. Daily, you will work and learn in one of the best organizations, doing the best work, with the best staff, serving the range of struggling to successful wastewater treatment facilities to improve plant performance and meet the highest of water quality standards possible. You will become a point of contact and resource for facilities to go to when they have permitting questions, need technical assistance, or are seeking funding options to make critical and important upgrades. The efforts you provide will bring comprehensive compliance inspections, defensible permits, and coordination of permitting and improvement efforts to individual facilities in the region.
For more information, click here.
Two Positions on the Surface Water Permitting Team | New Mexico Environment Department
Location: Santa Fe
Closing Date: January 8, 2023
The new Surface Water Permitting Team will plan, scope, develop, and implement a surface water discharge permitting program over a multi-phased, multi-year approach. These positions will provide outreach to evaluate stakeholder support; participate in project planning and program development efforts; assist with development of regulations and a data management system; manage and oversee contracts and projects; and develop guidance documents, policies, and templates related to the permitting program.
The new Surface Water Permitting Team will plan, scope, develop, and implement a surface water discharge permitting program over a multi-phased, multi-year approach. These positions will provide outreach to evaluate stakeholder support; participate in project planning and program development efforts; assist with development of regulations and a data management system; manage and oversee contracts and projects; and develop guidance documents, policies, and templates related to the permitting program.
NMED offers a flexible/hybrid schedule and five (5) days of personal leave as a hiring incentive.
For more information, click here.
