News

Unified Regulatory Agenda Updated

The Fall 2022 Unified Regulatory Agenda has been posted here. ACWA’s Rulemakings and Non-Regulatory Activities webpage has been updated accordingly.

Congress Passes FY 2023 Omnibus at the End of the Year

Shortly before the end of 2022, President Biden signed the FY 2023 Omnibus bill that funded the federal government through September 30, 2023. The bill provided the EPA with $10.135 billion, an increase of almost $576 million. STAG grants were funded at $4.5 billion with the STAG Categorical Grants portion funded at $1.16 billion, up $61 million over FY22. In addition, Congress provided a total increase of $94.5 million for Geographic Programs. The State Revolving Funds (SRF) received small increases in funding– $35 million to the CWSRF and $13 million to the DWSRF. However, Congress funded earmarks or “community project funding” off the top of the SRF funding, directing $1.47 billion of FY23 funds for specific SRF and other STAG activities. As a result, states will have less authority over using the $629 million in new SRF funding in FY 2023 than in FY 2022.

EPA Solicits Comments on the Draft FAQs: Implementing the 2021 Recommended Clean Water Act Section 304(a) Ambient Water Quality Criteria to Address Nutrient Pollution in Lakes and Reservoirs

On January 12th, EPA released the draft Frequently Asked Questions: Implementing the 2021 Recommended Clean Water Act Section 304(a) Ambient Water Quality Criteria to Address Nutrient Pollution in Lakes and Reservoirs (pdf), for a 60-day public comment period. This document supports state and tribal adoption and implementation of EPA’s 2021 Recommended Clean Water Act Section 304(a) Ambient Water Quality Criteria to Address Nutrient Pollution in Lakes and Reservoirs (announced on August 13, 2021). Consistent with the latest scientific information, the national recommended criteria are intended to protect three designated uses (aquatic life, recreation and drinking water) in lakes and reservoirs from the negative effects of nutrient pollution.

The draft FAQs document addresses the adoption of numeric nutrient criteria (i.e., total nitrogen, total phosphorus, chlorophyll a) and implementation of the criteria in waterbody assessment and listing programs, as well as in National Pollutant Discharge Elimination permits and drinking water source protection. For more information on the draft FAQs document visit EPA’s Ambient Water Quality Criteria to Address Nutrient Pollution in Lakes and Reservoirs webpage. The comment period ends on March 13, 2023. Questions and public comments on the document can be emailed to wqs-implementation-nutrients-lakes@epa.gov through 11:59 pm on March 13, 2023. 

ACWA extends its sincere gratitude to ACWA Members, Workgroups and Committees that worked with EPA to inform the contents of the draft FAQs document.

Cumulative Impacts Addendum Released

EPA’s Office of the General Counsel (OGC) released the Cumulative Impacts Addendum to EPA Legal Tools to Advance Environmental Justice (EJ Legal Tools), available here. The Addendum is a first-ever collection of examples of the Agency’s legal authorities to identify and address cumulative impacts through a range of actions, including permitting, regulations, and grants, in order to consider the lived experience of communities overburdened by pollution and advance environmental justice.

This Addendum builds on EJ Legal Tools, which OGC released in May 2022, by identifying for EPA decisionmakers and partners a wide range of authorities that can be deployed to address the cumulative impacts of pollutants in the environment and other factors affecting human health and well-being that have a disproportionate impact on communities with environmental justice concerns. The Addendum is the latest step in the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to address environmental justice and equity through federal actions. Together, EJ Legal Tools and the Cumulative Impacts Addendum describe the legal foundation and pathways for EPA to implement the Agency’s Strategic Plan for integrating environmental justice and equity in agency programs across EPA headquarters and regional offices. They also serve as a guide for state and Tribal partners and provide transparency to the general public.

Learn more about the EJ Legal Tools and the Cumulative Impacts Addendum
Read EJ Legal Tools.

Final Revised WOTUS Definition Released by EPA & Army Corps

On December 30, 2022, the EPA released its long-awaited rule to redefine the definition of “waters of the United States” (“WOTUS”) under the Clean Water Act (“CWA”) by releasing a pre-publication version of the final rule , along with a technical support document outlining agency implementation plans. 

The 2022 rule is based on the pre-2015 regulations and codifies both the” significant nexus” and “relatively permanent” standards proposed in Rapanos. The 2022 rule also includes definitions of “adjacent” and “significant effect,” and codifies a variety of longstanding WOTUS exclusions. The text of the rule is divided into three parts: jurisdictional waters, exclusions, and definitions.

In the 2022 WOTUS rule, EPA identifies five (5)categories of waters that will fall under federal jurisdiction. Those categories are:

• Traditional navigable waters that currently are, or were used in the past, or could be used in the future for interstate for foreign commerce, including all waters that are subject to the ebb and flow of the tide; the territorial seas; and interstate waters, including interstate wetlands (collectively, “traditional navigable waters”)
• Impoundments of waters otherwise identified as a WOTUS, except for impoundments of waters identified under the fifth category of WOTUS (collectively, “impoundments”)
• Tributaries of traditional navigable waters or impoundments that are either: relatively permanent, standing or continuously flowing bodies of water; or that alone or in combination with similarly situated waters in the region significantly affect the chemical, physical, or biological integrity of traditional navigable waters (collectively, “tributaries”)
• Wetlands adjacent to any of the following: traditional navigable waters; a relatively permanent, standing or continuously flowing impoundment or tributary; an impoundment or tributary if the wetlands either alone or in combination with similarly situated waters in the region significantly affect the chemical, physical, or biological integrity of a traditional navigable water (collectively, “adjacent wetlands”)
• Interstate lakes and ponds, streams, or wetlands that do not fall into any of the above categories provided the water is either: relatively permanent, standing or continuously flowing and shares a surface connection with a traditional navigable water, impoundment, or tributary; or on its own or in combination with similarly situated waters in the region significantly affects the chemical, physical, or biological integrity of a traditional navigable water (collectively, “jurisdictional interstate waters”)

National Enforcement and Compliance Initiatives 2024 – 2027

This week EPA published in the Federal Register their new list of National Enforcement and Compliance Initiatives (NECIs) for fiscal years 2024-2027 (formerly called “National Compliance Initiatives”). OECA is soliciting public comment and recommendations on national initiatives to address the most serious and widespread environmental problems. The current initiatives and potential new initiatives under consideration are described in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of the published document. More details on the current initiatives can be found here: http://www.epa.gov/​enforcement/​national-compliance-initiatives.

The comment period is scheduled for 60 days and close 3/13/2023. Reducing Significant Non-Compliance in the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Program is currently being identified as an initiative that would continue with a more directed focus on the worst effluent violators are being addressed and on reducing the effluent violation component of the SNC rate. A potential new PFAS related NECI might affect the water program and ACWA staff will be gathering further details. ACWA will more than likely be providing comments. Please share your observations and concerns with Sean Rolland (srolland@acwa-us.org).

EPA Specialty Training Announced: Addressing Nutrient Pollution in NPDES Permits Online Training

This week, EPA released the NPDES Permit Writer’s Specialty Training: Addressing Nutrient Pollution in NPDES Permits online training. This training builds on the basic NPDES Permit Writers’ Course, but is adapted to consider specific challenges permit writers face when permitting discharges of nutrients. It gives permitting authorities tools needed to develop water quality-based effluent limitations (WQBELs) and related NPDES permit conditions for nutrient pollution. OWM developed this web-based training in response to stakeholder requests, for an online version of the in-person training  that EPA provided  to states and regions from 2013-2016.  The training takes an iterative approach in that it will be updated over time as new approaches are developed and knowledge increases.  EPA will update and adapt additional training materials to the online platform that focus on permitting flexibilities, including watershed-based permitting, trading, variances and compliance schedules.

The training is available at https://www.epa.gov/npdes/npdes-permit-writers-specialty-training-addressing-nutrient-pollution-npdes-permits.

For more information: Danielle Stephan, (202) 564-0759, stephan.danielle@epa.gov.

Out Now: Biosolids Biennial Report No.9 (Reporting Period 2020-2021)

EPA has published its ninth biennial report reviewing the federal sewage sludge standards at 40 CFR Part 503, covering the reporting period 2020-2021. The Clean Water Act requires that EPA review sewage sludge regulations at least every two years to identify additional pollutants that may occur in biosolids. The data gleaned from the biennial review process may be used to assess risk from chemicals found in biosolids and to set regulations for those pollutants if sufficient scientific evidence shows they could harm, or present a risk to, human health or the environment.

To view Biosolids Biennial Report N^o9 (Reporting Period 2020-2021) and a summary fact sheet, as well as previous biosolids biennial reports, visit EPA’s website at: https://www.epa.gov/biosolids/biennial-reviews-sewage-sludge-standards.

EPA Announces Availability of $100 Million in Inflation Reduction Act Funds for Environmental Justice Grants

On January 10th, EPA announced the availability of approximately $100 million for projects that advance environmental justice in underserved and overburdened communities across the country. This Inflation Reduction Act funding marks the largest amount of environmental justice grant funding ever offered by the Agency. EPA has published two Requests for Applications for this funding through the Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving (EJCPS) Cooperative Agreement Program and the Environmental Justice Government-to-Government (EJG2G) Program.

These grant programs further the goals of President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative and Executive Order, Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad, which directed that 40% of the overall benefits of certain Federal investments flow to overburdened communities that face disproportionately high and adverse health and environmental impacts.

The Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving Program (EJCPS) Cooperative Agreement Program

The EJCPS Program will provide an estimated $30 million in funding directly to community-based nonprofit organizations (and partnerships of these organizations), with $5 million reserved for small community-based nonprofit organizations with five or fewer full-time employees. In total, the Agency anticipates funding approximately 50 awards of $500,000 and 30 awards of $150,000.

EPA’s EJCPS Cooperative Agreement Program provides financial assistance to eligible organizations working on or planning to work on projects to address local environmental and/or public health issues in their communities. The program assists recipients in building collaborative partnerships with other stakeholders (e.g., local businesses and industry, local government, medical service providers, academia, etc.) to develop solutions that will significantly address environmental and/or public health issues at the local level.

The Environmental Justice Government-to-Government (EJG2G) Program

The EJG2G Program (formerly known as the State Environmental Justice Cooperative Agreement program) will provide an estimated $70 million in funding. Of this, $20 million will be for State governments to be used in conjunction with Community-Based Organization (CBO) partners, $20 million will be for local government with CBO partners, $20 million will be for Federally Recognized Tribal Nations with CBO partners, and $10 million will be for U.S. territories and remote tribes with limited access to CBO partners. In total the Agency anticipates funding approximately 70 projects of up to $1 million each for a 3-year project.

The EJG2G Program works to support and/or create model state activities that lead to measurable environmental or public health results in communities disproportionately burdened by environmental harms and risks. These models should leverage or utilize existing resources or assets of state agencies to develop key tools and processes that integrate environmental justice considerations into state governments and government programs.

Under both EJCPS and EJG2G programs, EPA will be giving special consideration to the following focus areas:

• Projects addressing climate change, disaster resiliency, and/or emergency preparedness 
• Projects located in and/or benefitting rural areas 
• Projects conducting Health Impact Assessments (HIA)  

Applicants interested must submit proposal packages on or before April 10, 2023, to be considered for the available funding. Applicants should plan for projects to begin on October 1, 2023.

This funding builds on additional funding from the American Rescue Plan. In December 2021, EPA selected 154 organizations to receive a total of approximately $18.4 million in environmental justice grant funding.

EPA is planning to announce an additional environmental justice grant competition, making extensive use of IRA resources, in early 2023 to establish a network of grant-makers across the United States to facilitate awarding assessment, planning, and project development grants to communities and their partners.

Pre-application Assistance Webinars

EPA will host pre-application assistance webinars to answer prospective applicant questions about the EJ grant process.

To attend the first webinar on January 24, 2023 focused on EJCPS, register here.
To attend the second webinar on January 26, 2023 focused on EJG2G, register here.
Learn more information about environmental justice grant funding.
Learn more information about the Inflation Reduction Act.

ECOS Releases New PFAS Webpage and Searchable Database

This week, ECOS launched its new PFAS webpage to better spotlight resources and information. The webpage still has the same URL as the previous PFAS page (www.ecos.org/pfas) and still provides links to ECOS reports and tools (e.g., white paper on state standards, risk communication hub, etc.). The webpage now features the tool long requested by states: a searchable database of PFAS resources. These resources are searchable by name, filterable by topic or type, and offer a variety of resources like documents, webpages, or other tools from states, federal agencies, and other stakeholders. 

ECOS included a number of resources from different agencies and across different PFAS topic areas (e.g., source reduction, legislation, treatment, etc.) and will continually add to the database. States should contact Sarah Grace Longsworth Hughes (shughes@ecos.org) with any missing resources or to add resources as your agency develops them.

EPA Releases “PFAS Analytic Tools”

On January 5th, EPA released PFAS Analytic Tools.  EPA’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap noted the importance of EPA collecting data to better understand the level of contamination and current risks posed by PFAS to communities.  The PFAS Analytic Tools bring together available national datasets into a searchable, map-themed webpage that allows uses to filter, zoom in and download information related to PFAS. The Tools includes information on Clean Water Act PFAS discharges from permitted sources, reported spills containing PFAS constituents, facilities historically manufacturing or importing PFAS, federally owned locations where PFAS is being investigated, transfers of PFAS-containing waste, PFAS detection in natural resources such as fish or surface water, and drinking water testing results. The tools cover a broad list of PFAS and represent EPA’s ongoing efforts to provide the public with access to the growing amount of testing information that is available.

EPA held an ECHO (Enforcement and Compliance History Online) public webinar on Tuesday, January 10th, 2022, 1:00-2:00 PM EST that provided an introduction and instructions on how to use the PFAS Analytic Tools. The webinar was recorded and is available within ECHO’s recorded webinars section.

Updates and New Rules on PFAS in the Toxics Release Inventory

On January 6th, EPA announced the automatic addition of nine PFAS to the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) list. These nine PFAS were added to the TRI list pursuant to the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which provides the framework for the automatic addition of PFAS to TRI each year in response to certain EPA activities involving such PFAS. For TRI Reporting Year 2023 (reporting forms due by July 1, 2024), reporting is required for nine additional PFAS, bringing the total PFAS subject to TRI reporting to 189.

Addition of four PFAS no longer claimed as confidential business information

Under NDAA section 7321(e), EPA must review confidential business information (CBI) claims before adding a PFAS to the TRI list if the chemical identity is subject to a claim of protection from disclosure under 5 U.S.C. 552(a). EPA previously identified four PFAS for addition to the TRI list based on the NDAA’s provision to include certain PFAS upon the NDAA’s enactment. However, due to CBI claims related to their identities, these PFAS were not added to the TRI list at that time. The identities of these PFAS were subsequently declassified in an update to the TSCA Inventory in February 2022 because at least one manufacturer did not claim them as confidential during prior CDR reporting. Because they were no longer confidential, pursuant to the NDAA, the four chemicals were added to the TRI list:

• Alcohols, C8-16, γ-ω-perfluoro, reaction products with 1,6-diisocyanatohexane, glycidol and stearyl alc. (2728655-42-1)
• Acetamide, N-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-, 2-[(γ-ω-perfluoro-C4-20-alkyl)thio] derivs. (2738952-61-7)
• Acetic acid, 2-[(γ-ω-perfluoro-C4-20-alkyl)thio] derivs., 2-hydroxypropyl esters (2744262-09-5)
• Acetamide, N-(2-aminoethyl)-, 2-[(γ-ω-perfluoro-C4-20-alkyl)thio] derivs., polymers with N1,N1-dimethyl-1,3-propanediamine, epichlorohydrin and ethylenediamine, oxidized (2742694-36-4)

Addition of five PFAS with final toxicity values

The 2020 NDAA includes a provision that automatically adds PFAS to the TRI list upon the agency’s finalization of a toxicity value. In December 2022, EPA finalized a toxicity value for Perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA), its anion, and its related salts. Pursuant to the NDAA, the following five chemicals have been added to the TRI:

• PFBA (375-22-4)
• Perfluorobutanoate (45048-62-2)
• Ammonium perfluorobutanoate (10495-86-0)
• Potassium perfluorobutanoate (2966-54-3)
• Sodium perfluorobutanoate (2218-54-4)

As of January 1, 2023, facilities which are subject to reporting requirements for these chemicals should start tracking their activities involving these PFAS as required by Section 313 of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act.

EPA Proposes to Designate PFAS and other Persistent, Bioaccumulative, Toxic Chemicals as Special Chemicals of Concern and Ineligible for De Minimis TRI Reporting Exemption

EPA also proposed a rule in December 2022 to enhance PFAS reporting to TRI by eliminating an exemption that allows facilities to avoid reporting information on PFAS when those chemicals are used in small, or de minimis, concentrations. The proposed rule would eliminate the availability of that exemption and require facilities to report on PFAS regardless of their concentration in products.

Currently, facilities are required to report to TRI on 180 PFAS per the requirements of the NDAA. However, in data submitted to EPA in 2021 and 2022, fewer facilities reported PFAS to TRI than expected. In response, EPA conducted outreach, and many facilities contacted claimed the de minimis exemption as a reason for not reporting. The rule proposal would list PFAS as “chemicals of special concern,” which would make them ineligible for the de minimis exemption.

If finalized, this proposal would also make the de minimis exemption unavailable for purposes of supplier notification requirements to downstream facilities for all chemicals on the list of chemicals of special concern, which also includes certain persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic chemicals like lead, mercury, and dioxins. This change will help ensure that purchasers of mixtures and trade name products containing these chemicals are informed of their presence in mixtures and products they purchase.

Comments on the rule proposal are due February 3rd, here.

Association Updates

2023 ACWA Mid-Year Meeting

2023 National NPDES Permitting Meeting – Registration Open!

February 28 – March 2, 2023
Washington, DC

This is a closed meeting intended to support state and EPA 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. A draft agenda has been posted.

2023 Water Reuse Regulator Summit

March 5, 2023
Atlanta, GA

This Summit will be the third reuse-focused, states-only workshop in a series co-hosted by ACWA, ASDWA, ASTHO, ECOS, and GWPC. It is intended to support state staff working on water reuse/recycling, resilience, and integrated water resources management.

Updated information about this meeting will be distributed in late January. Please contact Jake Adler directly for further information.

Meetings and Webinars

Overview of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law CWSRF Emerging Contaminants Supplemental Appropriation

Wednesday, January 18th, 1-2:30 EST | Register Here

EPA invites water industry professionals and utility staff and managers to join a webinar on the newly authorized Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) emerging contaminants funding.

During this webinar EPA will:

• Provide an overview of emerging contaminants and CWSRF funding eligibilities
• Present eligible fund uses and emerging contaminant project ideas, including monitoring activities
• Identify other funding sources for emerging contaminant monitoring and planning efforts
• Highlight potential CWSRF emerging contaminant projects being considered in several states

The webinar will be recorded and shared with participants.

Wastewater-based Disease Surveillance For Public Health Action

National Academies Water Sciences Report Release Webinar
January 19, 2023 | 2:00PM – 3:00PM ET | Register Here

The report, Wastewater-based Disease Surveillance For Public Health Action, explains how community-based wastewater disease surveillance has been useful during the COVID-19 pandemic for informing public health decisions. It also examines the value of wastewater surveillance applications for other infectious diseases beyond the current COVID-19 pandemic and presents a vision for the future of wastewater surveillance at a national scale, as well as strategies to increase its public health impacts.

Members of the report authoring committee will share key takeaways and have an opportunity to answer audience questions. The full report will be available for free download from the National Academies Press at 11am on Thursday, January 19th.

Defending our Water Infrastructure: Creating a Cybersecurity Culture in Small Community Water and Wastewater Systems

An ELI, LGEAN, and WaterISAC Public Webinar | Register Here

Cyberattacks on our public drinking water systems are occurring with greater frequency. Recent examples include a hacker altering chemical levels at a Florida water system in 2021, as well as the SolarWinds network breach in 2020, which gave cybercriminals access to 73 water systems. In 2021, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimated water and wastewater utilities to be at risk of at least one cyberattack per year on both Business Enterprise and Process Control Systems. Malevolent actors encompass terrorists, hackers, and even disgruntled former employees who put public health at risk from loss of service and unsafe drinking water.

The America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 (AWIA) recognizes these and similar risks by requiring every water system serving more than 3,300 people to prepare and regularly update a Risk and Resilience Assessment (RRA) and Emergency Response Plan (ERP). But 1,000, or over 11%, of small water systems serving 7.2 million people, still failed to certify their ERPs by mid-2021, six months after the deadline. Small community water systems in particular face great challenges in preparing and implementing cybersecurity strategies due to limited resources, technical knowledge, and funding.

Join ELI and LGEAN on January 24 for this free webinar, which convenes the three major federal agencies that play a role in addressing cybersecurity in the water and wastewater sector. Panelists from EPA, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation will discuss cybersecurity threats to the sector, provide advice on how to prevent and respond to cyberattacks, and share tips and resources for small community water systems to create a robust cybersecurity culture.

Panelists:

• Cynthia R. Harris, Deputy Director, Center for State, Tribal, and Local Environmental Programs, Environmental Law Institute (Moderator)
• Brandon M. Carter, Sr. Cybersecurity Specialist, Water Infrastructure and Cyber Resilience Division (WICRD), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• Benjamin Gilbert, Cybersecurity Advisor, CISA Region 3, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
• Vijal Pancholi, Cybersecurity Specialist, Water Infrastructure and Cyber Resilience Division (WICRD), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• Aaron Steps, Supervisory Special Agent, Cyber Division, U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation

EPA Webinar: Improving CWA-NPDES Permit Compliance at Small Wastewater Treatment Systems

Date:                           Tuesday, January 31, 2023

Time:                          1:00pm – 2:30pm eastern

Registration:               Webinar Registration – Zoom (zoomgov.com)

EPA’s Office of Compliance invites you to a free webinar on Tuesday January 31, 2023, as part of EPA’s ongoing Technical Assistance Webinar Series: Improving CWA-NPDES Permit Compliance at Small Wastewater Treatment Systems. EPA staff will provide an overview of EPA’s effluent guideline planning process as well as the contents of Effluent Guide-line Plan 15, including updates on EPA’s reviews of industrial wastewater discharges and treatment technologies, EPA’s 2021 annual review of effluent guidelines and pre-treatment standards, and EPA’s continued focus in evaluating the extent and nature of per- and polyfluoroalkyl sub-stances (PFAS) discharges and assess opportunities for limiting those discharges from multiple industrial categories, as outlined in EPA’s 2021 PFAS Strategic Roadmap.

Regarding certificates and CEUs: Webinar attendees will receive an emailed Certificate of Attendance from Laura Paradise one week after the webinar date. This email often gets sent to a junk or spam folder. Please discuss eligibility of continuing education credits with your state’s specific certification authority. EPA does not guarantee credits. Each state has different CEU requirements, so it is up to the individual to apply for credit with their state’s certification authority. Note that sometimes the certification authority requires advanced notice of the webinar to allow credit.

Effluent Guidelines Program Plan 15

Tuesday January 31, 2023, 1:00-2:30pm | Register Here

EPA staff will provide an overview of EPA’s effluent guideline planning process as well as the contents of Effluent Guide-line Plan 15, including updates on EPA’s reviews of industrial wastewater discharges and treatment technologies, EPA’s 2021 annual review of effluent guidelines and pre-treatment standards, and EPA’s continued focus in evaluating the extent and nature of per- and polyfluoroalkyl sub-stances (PFAS) discharges and assess opportunities for limiting those discharges from multiple industrial categories, as outlined in EPA’s 2021 PFAS Strategic Roadmap.

Water Recycling in Israel: U.S. Lessons from Israel’s Water Reuse Approach

Please register here for a free webinar on Wednesday, January 18, 2023, from 2:00 to 3:00 PM EDT where U.S. and Israeli water sector leaders will reflect on Israel’s approach to water reuse and discuss reuse strategies for U.S. communities.

More than 40 representatives from the U.S. water sector, including utilities, industry, states, and the federal government, traveled to Israel in Fall 2022 as part of a science, technology, and policy informational exchange focused on water reuse practices.

In recent decades, Israel transformed from one of the world’s most water-stressed countries into a water-secure country when they became a global leader in water reuse. Today, nearly 90 percent of Israel’s treated wastewater is reused for agricultural irrigation purposes.

In this free webinar, which features Israeli hosts and members from the U.S. delegation, attendees will learn about the innovative approaches Israel is taking to ensure adequate and resilient water supplies in their country and how others may apply these lessons in their own communities. U.S. water sector leaders from California, Oklahoma, and Washington, DC, who were part of the delegation, will discuss their own experiences with water reuse and share key takeaways on Israel’s approach and how it potentially fits within a U.S. context.

Featured speakers:

• Sharon Nappier, PhD, National Program Leader for Water Reuse, U.S. EPA
• Patricia Sinicropi, JD, Executive Director, WateReuse Association
• Omer Bab, Director of Trade and Regulatory Policy, Embassy of Israel
• Danny Greenwald, Senior Deputy Director General – Regulation, Israeli Water Authority
• David Pedersen​, President of WateReuse California and General Manager, Las Virgenes Municipal Water District
• Shellie Chard, Water Quality Division Director, Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality
• Marc Battle, Esq., Chief Legal Officer and Executive Vice President, DC Water

ACWA Legal Affairs Committee Schedule for 2023

The ACWA Legal Affairs Committee call schedule for 2023 is below.  If you are interested in registering for any of these calls, please contact Julia Anastasio. Feel free to share the schedule with your colleagues in the Attorney General’s office or whichever department handles legal issues for your program and if you have any topics or cases that you would like the committee to consider for presentations next year, please send them to Julia Anastasio.

• March 23, 2023, 02:00 PM ET
• June 15, 2023, 02:00 PM ET
• September 21, 2023, 2:00 PM ET
• December 7, 2023, 2:00 PM ET

Job Opportunities

Lake Champlain Watercraft Inspection and Decontamination Boat Launch Stewards | NEIWPCC and Lake Champlain Basin Program

Lake Champlain, USA | Interviews beginning in February, 2023

NEIWPCC and the Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP) are seeking multiple seasonal boat launch stewards to deliver interpretive invasive species spread prevention messages to boaters on Lake Champlain during the summer of 2023 and to inspect and decontaminate watercraft as appropriate.

Watercraft Inspection and Decontamination Boat Launch Stewards will be trained to greet visitors to Lake Champlain and familiarize the public with aquatic invasive species information, enter lake-user information on mobile tablets, and inspect watercraft, trailers, and recreational equipment for aquatic organisms. Stewards will also be trained to conduct hot water high pressure decontaminations as needed and to set up, operate, break down, and properly store the decontamination units. Stewards will be required to work eight-hour days for approximately forty hours per week Thursday through Monday and holidays at select boat launches around Lake Champlain from Memorial Day to Labor Day weekend with the option to work through mid-October; weekend work is required. Time off by prior arrangement can be accommodated.

Successful candidates will be well organized and have excellent communication skills, experience speaking with the public, demonstrated data collection and recording, familiarity with invasive species, and field work experience. Candidates will be comfortable working in the field and have the physical capability to inspect trailered watercraft. Experience operating watercraft and /or motorized equipment and basic familiarity with boaters, anglers, and recreational equipment will be useful. Individuals with experience with small engine maintenance and repair are desired to assist with watercraft decontamination operations. Highly motivated individuals with familiarity with aquatic invasive species and/or water recreation experience are encouraged to apply. Driver’s license required. COVID-19 vaccination required.

To apply, send a cover letter and resume by email to jobs@neiwpcc.org. Please reference #23-LCBP-002 in the email subject line. Reviewing applications on a rolling basis. Interviews will begin in February and will continue until all positions are filled. Apply early to ensure you’re considered for this summer!
A full position description may be viewed online at https://neiwpcc.org/about-us/careers/.

Environmental Analyst – Rule Specialist | NEIWPCC

Augusta, ME | Open until filled

NEIWPCC, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (ME DHHS), and Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (ME CDC) are seeking a full-time Environmental Analyst to determine public water system compliance with the state and federal safe drinking water regulations.

We’re looking for an eager learner to become well-versed in drinking water rules and regulations and support compliance and enforcement efforts of the Drinking Water Program. Tasks will include:

• Review technical documents submitted by public water systems for accuracy and completeness.
• Review reports concerning results of water analyses and status of compliance with regulations.
• Determine drinking water quality monitoring and treatment requirements based on laboratory results.
• Evaluate treatment applications to ensure that proposed treatment meets minimum requirements. Determine sampling schedules based on the treatment design for inclusion in draft treatment approval letters.
• Train colleagues in the program on various requirements and protocols associated with drinking water regulations.
• Work with colleagues in the program on emerging contaminants issues and the development of outreach materials

Successful candidates will have a bachelor’s degree in environmental science or a related field, and at least three years of related experience. We’re seeking candidates with outstanding attention to detail and an ability to communicate with internal colleagues and external public water system operators. Excellent organization skills, strong computer capabilities, robust science and math knowledge, and a dedication to protecting public health are desired.

This is a full-time, in-office position based in the Maine CDC offices, located at State House Station 11, 286 Water St, Augusta, ME 04333. After six months of employment, this position may be eligible for a partial telework schedule, subject to approval and determined by program and office needs. A valid driver’s license and access to own transportation required. COVID-19 vaccination required.

A full position description may be viewed at: https://neiwpcc.org/about-us/careers.

NEIWPCC offers a competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees, including health/dental/vision coverage, generous retirement plan contributions, tuition reimbursement and professional development support, as well as eligibility for the Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness program.

To apply, send a cover letter, resume, and writing sample by email to jobs@neiwpcc.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, accepting applications until the position is filled. Please reference #23-DHHS-DWP-001 in the email subject line.

Environmental Program Manager I or II | Association of Clean Water Administrators

Job Location: Combination of In Person at ACWA’s Washington, DC Office and Telework Opportunities

Apply By: February 8th, 2023. Please email a cover letter, resume, and a writing/materials sample to aivey@acwa-us.org with the email subject “Attn: Human Resources”.

This position reports to and supports the Executive Director in the development and implementation of ACWA’s mission and policies. The ideal candidate has working knowledge of Clean Water Act programs such as NPDES permitting and Water Quality Standards; is versed in water quality topics like nutrient pollution; understands government affairs and water quality stakeholders; and has experience with project management. Candidates should have a Post-Graduate Degree (Masters, Doctoral, JD), JD preferred. Some travel is required in this position for the purpose of meeting with stakeholders and for various ACWA meetings.

View the full position announcement here.