News
PR: Released on State/Tribal Assumption of Sec. 404(g) Program
EPA recently published a proposed rule that would streamline and clarify the requirements and procedures necessary for states and Tribes to administer programs protecting waterways from discharges of dredged or fill material without a permit. EPA’s proposal addresses barriers identified by states and Tribes to administering Section 404 while expanding opportunities for Tribes to meaningfully engage in permitting actions. The public comment period began on August 14, 2023, and will close on October 13, 2023, 60 days later. ACWA has prepared a summary of the proposed rule text. It is available here.
$50 Million in Available Grants to Upgrade Stormwater and Sewer Infrastructure
EPA announced the availability of nearly $50 million in regular funding through the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program to help communities address stormwater and sewer infrastructure needs. States may now apply for grant assistance to fund projects that will help municipalities strengthen their stormwater collection systems against increasingly intense rain events made worse by the climate crisis and prevent contaminants from polluting waterways.
Grants will be awarded to states, which will then provide sub-awards to eligible entities for projects that address infrastructure needs for CSOs, SSOs, and stormwater management. In 2021, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law amended the program to add a focus on funding projects in rural and financially distressed communities while also eliminating project cost share requirements for these communities.
States are required to prioritize funding projects for communities that are financially distressed, have a long-term municipal CSO or SSO control plan, or for projects that have requested a grant on their Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) Intended Use Plan. Projects under this program will have many of the same program requirements as the CWSRF and, to the extent that eligible projects are available, at least 20 percent of a state’s allocation must be used for green infrastructure, water and energy efficiency improvements, and other environmentally innovative activities. In addition, a state should use at least 25 percent of a grant for available projects located in rural communities (population of 10,000 of less) and/or in financially distressed communities. States may apply up to four percent of their allotment towards their administrative expenses. In total, the program has been appropriated over $160 million.
You may review the memo and allocations here.
National Enforcement and Compliance Initiatives
Every four years EPA selects enforcement and compliance priorities to address the most serious and widespread environmental problems facing the United States. This week EPA announced its National Enforcement and Compliance Initiatives for 2024-2027. New to these initiatives, EPA will be incorporative environmental justice considerations into each of its initiatives. In selecting these initiatives, EPA used three criteria: (1) the need to address serious and widespread environmental issues and significant noncompliance, particularly in overburdened and disadvantaged communities; (2) a focus on areas where federal enforcement authorities, resources, and/or expertise are needed to hold polluters accountable and promote a level playing field; and (3) alignment with the EPA’s broader Strategic Plan, which includes tackling the climate crisis and advancing environmental justice. Initiatives selected include:
- Mitigating Climate Change – EPA will use its enforcement and compliance tools to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with a focus on: (1) methane emissions from oil and gas facilities; (2) methane emissions from landfills; and (3) the use, importation, and production of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).
- Addressing Exposure to PFAS – EPA will focus on implementing EPA’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap and hold responsible: (1) those who manufactured PFAS and/or used PFAS in the manufacturing process; (2) federal facilities that released PFAS; and (3) other industrial parties who significantly contributed to the release of PFAS into the environment.
- Protecting Communities from Coal Ash Contamination – EPA will focus on the threat of millions of pounds of coal ash found in on-site landfills, settling ponds, and other coal plant surface impoundments.
- Reducing Air Toxics in Overburdened Communities – EPA will address the serious threat to communities that comes from unlawful exposure to regulated hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) from nearby industry.
- Increasing Compliance with Drinking Water Standards – EPA will seek to ensure that the approximately 50,000 regulated drinking water systems comply with the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA).
- Chemical Accident Risk Reduction – EPA will reduce the likelihood of catastrophic chemical releases, and seek to address the problem of avoidable chemical incidents that continue to occur throughout the country.
EPA is choosing to send the SNC rate reduction initiative back to the core program.
EPA Issues Next Test Order Under National Testing Strategy for PFAS Used in Chemical Manufacturing
On August 15th, EPA issued the third Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) test order requiring testing on PFAS under EPA’s National PFAS Testing Strategy. The action orders the Chemours Company FC LLC, E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, and 3M Company to conduct and submit testing on 2,3,3,3-Tetrafluoro-2-(heptafluoropropoxy)propanoyl fluoride (HFPO-DAF), a substance used as a reactant in organic chemical manufacturing. HFPO-DAF is known to be used to make the chemical Hexafluoropropylene Oxide (HFPO) Dimer Acid (CASRN 13252-13-6), also known by the trade name GenX. HFPO-DA is used in the production of nonstick coatings, stain repellent, and other consumer and industrial products and was widely used to replace PFOA. More than 1 million pounds of HFPO-DAF are manufactured each year, according to TSCA Chemical Data Reporting rule reports.
After reviewing existing hazard and exposure data, EPA has concluded that HFPO-DAF may present an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment. The potential hazards from exposure to this chemical could include organ damage, including to the eyes and skin, as well as cancer. EPA has also concluded that workers may be exposed to HFPO-DAF. Additionally, EPA’s recent proposal to regulate six PFAS in drinking water, including HFPO-DA and its salts, isomers, and derivatives which includes HFPO-DAF, found there was a meaningful opportunity to reduce health risks to people consuming drinking water contaminated by these PFAS. The test order will help EPA better understand the potential hazards and potential exposures associated with HFPO-DAF.
The information EPA receives under this is intended to improve the Agency’s understanding of human health effects of HFPO-DAF, as well as the potential effects of dozens of PFAS that are structurally similar to HFPO-DAF and in the same Testing Strategy category of PFAS. The companies subject to the test order may either conduct the tests as described in the order, including testing of physical-chemical properties and health effects following inhalation, or provide EPA with existing information they believe EPA did not identify in its search, but which satisfies the order requirements.
The order employs a tiered testing process, as TSCA requires. The results of all the first-tier testing are required to be submitted to EPA within 446 days of the effective date of the order and will inform the decision as to which additional tests are necessary. The order and any data submitted in response to this order will be made publicly available on EPA’s website and in the applicable docket on www.regulations.gov, subject to confidentiality considerations under TSCA section 14.
PFAS National Testing Strategy: In the National Testing Strategy, EPA assigned PFAS into smaller categories based on similarities in structure, physical-chemical properties, and existing toxicity data. EPA is issuing test orders for PFAS in specific categories that lack toxicity data to inform EPA’s understanding of the potential human health effects. The first test order was for 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonamide betaine, a PFAS used in commercial firefighting foam. The second was for HFPO, a PFAS used to manufacture plastics. As EPA continues to further develop the Strategy, refine its universe and categorization of PFAS, and consider stakeholder feedback, the Agency also plans to increase the weight it places on the potential for exposures when identifying which specific PFAS to require testing on.
Section 4 Test Orders: Developing section 4 test orders is a complex and resource-intensive process involving many scientific and regulatory considerations, as explained in this Overview of Activities Involved in Issuing a TSCA Section 4 Order. Given the complexity of the testing requirements, a broad spectrum of experts across the agency worked to determine testing methodology and needs and address other details of drafting and issuing an order, such as assessing the economic burden of an order. Additionally, one order often applies to multiple companies. EPA must identify these companies and their associated points of contact. To improve the transparency of the process, EPA also works to resolve confidential business information claims that could prevent EPA from publicly connecting the company to the chemical substance prior to issuing test orders.
PFAS: EPA Posts Latest TSCA Inventory of All Active Chemicals in Commerce, Initial UCMR 5 Data on PFAS and Lithium, and Announces Rescission of 2019 PFAS Groundwater Memo
TSCA: The latest Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Chemical Substance Inventory is now available on EPA’s website. This update to the public TSCA Inventory is part of EPA’s biannual posting of non-confidential Inventory data. The next regular update of the TSCA Inventory is planned for winter 2024.
The Inventory contains 86,718 chemicals, of which 42,242 are active in U.S commerce. Other updates to the TSCA Inventory include updates to commercial activity data, unique identifier data, and regulatory flags (e.g., SNURs and test orders). Additionally, approximately 500 substances are listed with their specific chemical identities after having been moved from the confidential portion of the Inventory to the public portion as part of ongoing TSCA confidential business information (CBI) review plan efforts. The TSCA inventory is a list of all existing chemical substances manufactured, processed, or imported in the U.S.
UCMR 5: On August 17th, EPA released the first set of data under UCMR 5, intended to help regulators understand national-level exposure to 29 PFAS and lithium, and whether they disproportionately impact communities with environmental justice concerns. This initial data release represents approximately 7% of the total results that EPA expects to receive over the next three years. The Agency will update the results quarterly and share them with the public in EPA’s National Contaminant Occurrence Database (NCOD) until completion of data reporting in 2026. EPA continues to conduct research and monitor advances in techniques that may improve our ability to measure these and other contaminants at even lower levels.
Users may review all data by state and system in the zip folder download here. According to the data summary, PFOA or PFOS or both were present in all samples, above the minimum reporting level (MRL) in about 7% of systems sampled (i.e., the interim Health Advisory Level (HA) values of .00002 and .000004 ug/l respectively). Gen X and PFBS were detected but almost no samples exceeded the MRL. 22% of system samples were above above lithium MRL, which is not a HA but a Health Reference Level (HRL).
Groundwater Memo: On August 17th, EPA rescinded its 2019 memorandum “Interim Recommendations to Address Groundwater Contaminated with Perfluorooctanoic Acid and Perfluorooctanesulfonate.” EPA determined the interim recommendations no longer reflect the best available science and rescinding the memo will lead to stronger public health protections. More contaminated groundwater will now be investigated and potentially cleaned up and site managers will resume using well-established processes for making site-specific clean up decisions. This is because site managers should now investigate groundwater contaminated with PFOA and PFOS at levels below the interim recommendations and use preliminary cleanup goals that incorporate the latest science.
The 2019 memorandum contained outdated recommendations regarding how to address PFOA- and PFOS-contaminated groundwater at sites being evaluated and addressed under federal cleanup programs, including CERCLA and RCRA. The screening level of 40 ppt and preliminary remediation goal of 70 ppt as well as the expectation to provide alternate water at 70 ppt no longer reflect the best available science for PFOA and PFOS in contaminated groundwater that is an actual or potential source of drinking water. EPA advises those entities evaluating and addressing contaminated sites subject to federal cleanup programs (e.g., CERCLA actions, including federal facility cleanup programs and RCRA corrective action programs) to make decisions and take actions consistent with existing long-standing processes that comply with applicable laws, regulations and guidance as informed by the best, currently available science.
Where applicable or relevant and appropriate requirements (ARARs), such as a state or tribal Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL), are not available or sufficiently protective, EPA recommends practitioners use the Risk Assessment Guidance for Superfund (RAGS) to screen actual or potential sources of drinking water for PFOA and PFOS, develop risk-based preliminary remediation goals and establish final cleanup levels. EPA has also created Regional Screening Levels for certain PFAS, and we will include information on other PFAS as new science becomes available. EPA has proposed federal MCLs for PFOA and PFOS. Draft MCLs are not considered CERCLA ARARs. Final MCLs may be potential ARARs, and such determinations are made on a site-specific basis. Therefore, once finalized and promulgated, EPA anticipates the currently proposed PFOA and PFOS MCLs will be eligible to be evaluated as ARARs at Superfund sites where appropriate.
CAFO Regulations – Denies Petition for Rulemaking
This week EPA acknowledged their commitment to fulfilling the goals of the CWA and shares concerns with petitioners that “CAFO’s can be a significant source of pollutants into water of the United States.” EPA also acknowledged that “many CAFO owners and operators, as well as federal and state agency staff, have experienced challenges effectively implementing and assuring compliance with the current CWA CAFO regulatory requirements.” To address these concerns, EPA is launching a comprehensive study to identify potential improvement areas for CAFO permits under the CWA NPDES program, including a detailed review of the CAFO ELGs. EPA will also convene a new subcommittee – Animal Agriculture and Water Quality (AAWQ) subcommittee under the existing Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Federal Advisory Committee – to hear from farmers, community groups, researchers, state agencies, and others about the most effective and efficient ways to reduce pollutants generated by CAFOs. EPA is denying the petition for rulemaking at this time. Petitioners had requested that EPA:
- Create an evidentiary presumption that certain CAFOs discharge and are either subject to NPDES permitting or must rebut the presumption.
- Reinterpret that discharges resulting from CAFO activities are not exempt as stormwater agriculture non-point source pollution.
- Confirm that integrators who meet the CWA definition of owner or operator are co[1]permitted with contract producers.
- Modify certain definitions in the CAFO regulations.
- Update requirements applicable to CAFOs, to include water quality monitoring under NPDES permits to ensure compliance.
- Revise ELGs to address additional CAFO pollutants of concern, prohibit practices known to harm water quality, and otherwise strengthen existing requirements.
Association Updates
2023 Annual Meeting – Post Meeting Survey
Thank you for attending the 2023 ACWA Annual Meeting. We hope you enjoyed your time in Boise!
Please take the time to fill out the short evaluation to help us enhance future meetings. The survey should take you no longer than 10 minutes. If you attended the Annual Meeting but did not receive the link for the survey, please reach out to Lexy Bailey (abailey@acwa-us.org).
We thank you in advance for your time.
2023-2024 Leadership and Board
Executive Officers:
- President – Amanda Vincent (LA)
- Vice President – Adrian Stocks (WI)
- Treasurer – Karen Mogus (CA)
- Past President – Mary Anne Nelson (ID)
Regional Board Members:
- Region 1 – Tracy Wood (NH)
- Region 2 – Jennifer Feltis (NJ)
- Region 3 – Jeffery Seltzer (DC)
- Region 4 – Ania Truszczynski (GA)
- Region 5 – Dana Vanderbosch (MN)
- Region 6 – Shelly Lemon (NM)
- Region 7 – Lori McDaniel (IA)
- Region 8 – Jennifer Zygmunt (WY)
- Region 9 – Trevor Baggiore (AZ)
- Region 10 – Randy Bates (AK)
- Interstates – Evelyn Powers (IEC)
Annual Award Winners
- Emerging Leader Award – Rebecca Diehl (DDOEE)
- President’s Service Award – Karen Mogus (CA) and Lindsay Patterson (WY)
- Exceptional Service Award– Marcia Willhite (WI)
- Environmental Partnership Award – Tom Wall (EPA OWOW)
- Environmental Statesman Award – Andy Gavin (SRBC) and Carin Spreitzer (NY)
ACWA Welcomes New Environmental Program Manager
Ward Scott joined ACWA in August 2023 as an Environmental Program Manager. He manages ACWA’s work in Nutrients Policy, Nonpoint Sources, Climate Change, Legal Affairs, and issues surrounding CWA Section 401, CWA Section 404, as well as defining “waters of the United States.” Ward comes to ACWA after serving as a Water Policy Advisor with the Western Governors Association and the Western Landowners Alliance. Ward has also served as an attorney in private firms and corporations and currently manages the Fiddler Creek Ranch in Fishtail, MT. Ward holds a J.D. and Masters of Natural Resources and Environmental Law and Policy from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, as well as a B.A. in Environmental Studies from Denison University.
ACWA Comments on PFAS and PBT Updates to New Chemicals Regulations under TSCA with ASDWA, AMWA, and AWWA
On August 8th, ACWA, ASDWA, AMWA, and AWWA submitted a letter of support to EPA’s proposed TSCA new chemicals program Framework, which was announced in June, that applies to new PFAS or new use notices that are currently under EPA review, as well as any that EPA receives in the future. The proposed approach requires a new chemical review prior to use in commerce in a transparent process managed by EPA, including data on facility and site locations as well as disposal methods (i.e., landfilling, NPDES discharge, etc.). The approach also does not provide for automatic low-volume or low-exposure exemptions to these requirements, instead requiring EPA approval to an entity. These provisions are consistent with state associations’ and some water sector associations’ requests for PFAS and PBT management. You can access the letter here.
Webinar on New Framework: EPA’s New Chemicals Program will provide a webinar on September 6 from 2-3 p.m. EST on EPA’s TSCA Framework for Addressing New PFAS and New Uses of PFAS. Register Here.
Meetings and Webinars
ACWA Water Quality Modeling Workshop: October 23-27, Salt Lake City, UT
Registration is now open for our upcoming Surface Water Quality Modeling Workshop in Salt Lake City, UT! This workshop will run October 23-27, with an optional pre-conference “Modeling 101” session on October 23.
This workshop will be an in-person event, in partnership with USEPA. This event will take place at the Utah DEQ Offices. This year, we will be offering three tracks: (1) HSPF (2) CE-QUAL-W2 (3) Modeling for Nutrients. We have a great planning team of state and EPA representatives working hard to finalize the agenda. Attached are one-page summaries on some of the topics covered this year.
To register, you will need access to ACWA’s member portal. If you are EPA staff, please reach out Lexy Bailey (abailey@acwa-us.org) for help getting set up. This workshop has 3 distinct tracks – including two hands-on trainings. Hands on trainings will be offered for HSPF and CE-QUAL-W2.
Space is limited for the HSPF and CE-QUAL-W2 tracks – once you register, you will automatically be placed on the wait list. You will receive a confirmation email at a later date.
If you are a new staff-person, or if you would like a refresher, please indicate that you will be attending the pre-conference “Modeling 101” session, set for the afternoon of October 23.
Lodging will be available at the Sheraton Salt Lake City Hotel, in Salt Lake City, UT. ACWA has procured the local gov’t per diem rate of $128/night from Saturday, October 21 – Friday, October 27, 2023. You may reserve your hotel room here. The limited room block will be open through October 1, 2023. We recommend you secure your room as soon as possible to ensure your stay at this hotel.
EPA Technical Assistance Webinar Series – Primary Clarifier Operations
Thursday, August 24, 2023, 1:00 – 2:30pm (Eastern Time)
This presentation will focus on primary treatment of municipal wastewater, specifically primary clarifier operation. Discussion of the unit operations performance characteristics will be provided along with potential operating problems. Pictures of actual treatment units will be shown. In addition, troubleshooting will be covered at the end of the presentation.
Registration: https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_qlMbUg-cRe–D5uTmmAGFQ
Webinar series schedule and recordings: https://www.epa.gov/compliance/technical-assistancewebinar-series-improving-cwa-npdes-permit-compliance
For additional webinar info, contact: water.compliance@epa.gov
NPDES Basic Permit Writers’ Course
Virtual Guided Learning
August 24, 2023 – September 28, 2023
The 5-week course will begin on Thursday, August 24, 2023. Participants should anticipate a time commitment of approximately 8-10 hours per week and should seek supervisor approval before signing up. The course is scheduled to conclude on September 28th, however a “rain date” of October 5th should be reserved by the participants in case of technical issues.
There is no cost for the course. Registration is limited and available at:
NPDES Permit Writers’ Course – Virtual Guided Learning August 2023 (AM)
NPDES Permit Writers’ Course – Virtual Guided Learning August 2023 (PM)
Each week, participants will have assigned “homework” consisting of NPDES online modules and permit writing exercises. These modules and exercises will then be discussed in a live virtual classroom setting on Tuesday and Thursday of each week. Participants will have the opportunity to join live office hour discussions with instructors and other participants each Tuesday as well. Microsoft Teams will be utilized for the virtual classroom and can be accessed through the desktop application or a web browser. Course materials will be provided electronically on the Microsoft Teams classroom site for download by the participants prior to the start date. If you have questions regarding the course, please contact Sean Ramach at: npdestraining@epa.gov or call him directly at (202) 564-2865.
EPA Webinar: Water and Wastewater Cybersecurity for Small System, and Water Distribution System Operational Technology Cybersecurity Research at the Water Security Test Bed
August 29th, 2-3:30pm EST
Register Here
Tools and Resources to Help Your Small Systems Build Cyber Resilience: This presentation will provide utilities with information on freely available resources and funding opportunities that utilities can take advantage of to reduce the threat of cyber attacks.
Presenter: Nushat Thomas, M.S. Nushat Thomas is the Cybersecurity Branch Chief within EPA’s Water Infrastructure and Cyber Resilience Division, leading a team of cybersecurity analysts to ensure water and wastewater systems are prepared to respond and recover from cyber incidents. She joined the United States Environmental Protection Agency in 2009 as a member of both the Communications and Interdependencies Team and the Preparedness, Response and Recovery Team. Before joining EPA, she was employed as an Environmental Analyst responsible for managing the environmental compliance programs and permits at the Potomac River coal-fired generating plant. Prior to this, she served on active duty in the United States Army as an Environmental Science Engineering Officer at Fort Bragg, NC, where she served as Chief of the Installations’ Environmental Health Section. She continues to serve within the District of Columbia Army National Guard. She has earned a Bachelor’s in Chemistry from Johnson C. Smith University and a Master of Science in Environmental Studies from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Water Distribution System Operational Technology Cybersecurity Research at the Water Security Test Bed
EPA is the lead federal agency responsible for working with water utilities to protect water systems. Cyber-attacks on critical infrastructure worldwide are on the rise. The Agency has developed the first-of-its-scale water security test bed (WSTB), which replicates a section of a typical municipal drinking water piping system with roughly 450 feet of pipe, water quality sensors, hydrants, and valves. The purpose of conducting research at the WSTB facility has been to evaluate infrastructure and premise plumbing decontamination technologies and mobile emergency water treatment systems. In the future, the focus will be prevention, mitigation, and quick return-to-service of distribution system Operational Technology (OT) hardware and software compromised by cyber-attacks.
Presenter: Jeff Szabo, Ph.D. Jeff Szabo has a BS in Chemical Engineering and a MS and PhD in Environmental Engineering, all from the University of Cincinnati and is a registered Professional Engineer in Ohio. He has worked for the USEPA for 18 years. He conducts and manages water security research projects at EPA’s Test and Evaluation (T&E) facility and the Water Security Test Bed (WSTB) at the Idaho National Lab (INL). These projects include examining chemical, biological and radiological contaminant persistence on drinking water and waste water infrastructure and evaluation of decontamination and water treatment methods.
CWA National Targeting Center EPA/State Joint Community of Practice Meeting
Thursday, September 7, 2023, 1:00pm – 2:00pm Eastern
Meeting Info: Please use the meeting information below to attend this meeting.
No registration required; however, this meeting is only for EPA Regional and state NPDES permitting, enforcement, and information technology staff.
This will be the second meeting between EPA Regional and state staff to share best practices and ideas for inspection and enforcement targeting. At the first meeting, which was held on 2 November 2022, Kentucky Division of Water and Arizona Department of Environmental Quality gave presentations on “DMR Compliance Automation Efforts and Trend Analysis” and “GIS Targeting Platform, DMR Evaluation, Low SNC Rates,” respectively.
We invite states to share their insights on inspection and enforcement targeting for the upcoming September 7th meeting. Please send an email to Sean Rolland if you are interested in participating or giving a presentation. Please use this link to add your email to our EPA-state NTC CWA CoP distribution list. We will use this distribution list to share updates to the agenda and for future meetings.
We hope to schedule these 1-hour meetings on a more regular basis and suggest a quarterly frequency. This will allow EPA Regional and state staff to exchange insights and updates on inspection and enforcement targeting. We will use the September 7th meeting to solicit your input on this proposal.
ASDWA HABS Webinar: CyAN Potential Satellite Montoring of Drinking Water Sources
Tuesday, September 19, 2023, from 4:00 – 5:00 pm (eastern time)
ASDWA will hold a webinar about the Cyanobacteria Assessment Network (CyAN) potential for satellite monitoring of drinking water sources. CyAN is a multi-agency project among US EPA, NASA, NOAA, and USGS to develop a satellite early warning indicator system for cyanobacterial blooms in U.S. freshwater systems. This webinar will provide an overview of the pros and cons of satellite imagery as an additional tool for monitoring drinking water sources.
This is the third of three HABs webinars in the ASDWA series for state drinking water programs and partners. For more information and to view the previous webinar recordings and presentations, go to www.asdwa.org/habs.
Job Opportunities
Environmental Analyst – Road Stream Crossing Implementation Specialist
Location: New Paltz, NY
Closing Date: August 20, 2023
As a NEIWPCC Environmental Analyst, you will use data from road stream crossing (RSX) assessments and management plans to proactively assist local highway departments implement and construct replacements for RSX that are undersized and are barriers to aquatic organism passage (AOP). You will identify local priorities and advance them to construction, advance dam removal by working with dam owners and partners, and track project metrics. You will also become a trained leader in AOP assessments to meet emerging RSX needs, maintain a strong understanding of RSX funding opportunities to advance aquatic resource priorities, and assist with riparian restoration and water quality monitoring in the lower Hudson River Watershed.
Submit cover letter, resume, and a brief writing sample by email to jobs@neiwpcc.org by August 20, 2023. Please reference #23-HREP-002 in the email subject line. Accepting applications until the position is filled. A full position description and benefits listing may be viewed at: https://neiwpcc.org/about-us/careers.
Water Quality Program Analyst (Program Analyst 3)
Location: Portland, OR
Closing Date: 8/27/23
You will provide leadership and coordination of program development and improvement efforts associated with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit issuance, Water Quality Standards, Water Quality Assessments, Total Maximum Daily Loads, and Community Assistance and Water Quality Funding programs. You will focus on tasks and activities that are cross-program in nature, identifying solutions and programmatic approaches that result in more efficient program operations and effectiveness. You will build collaborative partnerships by developing relationships and strategies with internal water quality sub programs, internal implementation staff, regulated entities, community organizations, and other water quality partners. In addition, you will assist with strategic program implementation and planning for staff and managers; develop materials for training and documentation to ensure staff and managers have documented information regarding procedures, policies, and program decisions; and help evaluate and establish priorities based on the current needs and objectives to accomplish set goals and milestones.
For more information and to apply, visit Oregon Job Opportunities.
401 Water Quality Certification Specialist
Location: Bend, Eugene, or Medford, Oregon (finalist may choose work location)
Closing Date: 8/29/2023
You will review and evaluate applications for dredge and fill permits, under the US Army Corps of Engineers and Oregon Department of State Lands coordinated permitting programs, for compliance with Oregon’s water quality standards, including water quality criteria, antidegradation policy, and protection of designated beneficial uses. You will evaluate applications from Federal agencies prior to a license or permit being issued for compliance with the State’s water quality standards. In cases where wetland impacts are expected, you will also determine appropriate mitigation measures and stormwater Best Management Practices (BMP) implementation. In addition, you develop conditions to protect water quality and beneficial uses, inspect and review compliance of projects with their water quality certification, and initiate enforcement when violations are discovered.
For more information and to apply, visit Oregon Job Opportunities.
Nonpoint Source Pollution Water Quality Specialist (Environmental Specialist 3)
Location: Lacey, WA
Closing Date: 8/24/2023
Are you interested in working with like-minded people who are passionate about Washington’s natural resources? How about protecting water quality for shellfish, salmon recovery and our Southern Resident Orca? Ecology’s Water Quality Program is dedicated to identifying and addressing sources of water pollution that are impacting human health and the environment. We provide education and technical assistance, take water quality samples, and conduct investigations to accomplish our goals.
For more information and to apply, visit State of Washington Job Opportunities.
Environmental Protection Specialists I – Hydrologist (Four positions)
Location: Denver, CO
Closing Date: 9/5/2023
The Clean Water Permits Section at the Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment is seeking to fill four CDPS/NPDES permit writer positions with an emphasis on hydrology. This position exists to develop water quality discharge permit actions, including certifications to discharge under the statewide master general permits assigned to the unit. These permit writers will evaluate and interpret water quality and stream flow data, state and federal statutes, regulations, and policies to determine water quality and technology based requirements for point source discharges. Most evaluations include hydrologic modeling.
The work of the Permits Section is distributed across multiple work units and applicants can express an interest in any of the work units.
A full position description and benefits listing may be viewed at State of Colorado Job Opportunities.
