News
National Rivers and Streams Assessment
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released the National Rivers and Streams Assessment (NRSA), presenting the results of the 2018-2019 survey of perennial rivers and streams in the 48 contiguous United States. This survey provides information on the extent of stream miles that support healthy biological condition and recreation, and results from the NRSA can help us better understand the condition of rivers and streams in the United States, some of the stressors affecting them and how stressors relate to the health of aquatic communities.
The first survey took place in 2008-2009, with the second in 2013-2014. The 2018-2019 report indicates that:
- Healthy habitat occurred in over half of our river and stream miles.
- Less than one-third of our river and stream miles (28%) had healthy biological communities, based on an analysis of benthic macroinvertebrate communities.
- Just over one-third (35%) of river and stream miles had healthy fish communities.
- Nutrients (phosphorus and nitrogen) were the most widespread stressors.
- Reducing nutrient pollution could improve biological condition.
- Bacteria exceeded EPA’s recreational benchmark in 20% of river and stream miles.
- Algal toxins were present, but at very low levels, with minimal recreational human health concerns.
- Contaminants were present in all fish tissue, but risk varied by contaminant and fish consumption levels.
To review the complete report and additional results, view the NRSA 2018-2019 web report and NRSA 2018-2019 data dashboard.
Association Updates
Notice – No Wrap the Week of 12/25
In observance of the holidays, ACWA offices will be closed December 25, 2023 – January 1, 2024. We will resume Wrap publication in the new year.
Updated Rulemakings Webpage
Following the publication of the Fall 2023 Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions, ACWA has updated their Rulemakings webpage. Rulemaking updates from EPA’s Offices can be found here.
2024 Mid-Year Meeting Registration
Dates: March 26 & 27, 2024
Venue: The Washington Marriott Metro Center DC
Registration is live for the upcoming 2024 ACWA Mid-Year Meeting. This year’s meeting will take place on March 26 & 27, 2024, in Washington, D.C. This will be a closed meeting intended for state members and federal guests. The agenda is in development and will be updated as appropriate. Make your room reservations today!
Register now for the Early Bird Rate!
Check back here for more updates.
SAVE THE DATE! 2024 National CAFO Roundtable
Location: Kansas City, Missouri
Date: April 30 – May 3, 2024
Purpose: The 2024 National CAFO Roundtable supports the implementation of animal agriculture programs nationwide by helping support states and EPA to further identify challenges & barriers to Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) program implementation, sharing new technologies, best management practices, showcasing innovative state programs and initiatives, facilitating discussion on national program enhancements and improvements, identifying state resource needs including tools, training and guidance, and proposing solutions to challenges and barriers faced by the agriculture industry and other stakeholders.
Attendees: The CAFO Roundtable is a meeting of state AFO/CAFO regulators and EPA regional and headquarters representatives. Attendees generally include:
- State program managers, permit writers and inspectors involved in regulating AFOs/CAFOs
- EPA Headquarter and Regional staff involved in AFO/CAFO regulation
- Partnering state and federal agency staff that provide technical and/or regulatory assistance to AFOs/CAFOs
- Invited Guests
ACWA Meeting Webpage: 2024 National CAFO Roundtable – Association of Clean Water Administrators (acwa-us.org)
Meetings and Webinars
How EPA’s Water Infrastructure Planning Tool Can Help Utilities Engage Community & Make Cost-Effective Multi-Benefit Investments
January 11th, 12:30-4:30pm Eastern
EPA’s capital project decision-making process, referred to as Augmented Alternatives Analysis (AAA), was developed to address the opportunities and challenges of modern-day project decision-making.
You should attend this workshop if you are facing a large capital investment and want to learn how to engage your community and evaluate the full range of potential economic, environmental, and social benefits for your project.
This workshop will walk through the ten steps in the AAA process, so utilities leave equipped to implement AAA at their own utility. This workshop emphasizes peer to peer discussion and attendees will have ample opportunity to learn from utility peers about their challenges, successes, and plans for implementing AAA when they return home.
To download the PDF flyer, click here
EPA Webcasts: CSO Communities Adapting to a Changing Climate – Hold the Dates and Register
U.S. EPA is hosting a webcast series on CSO communities adapting to a changing climate. The impacts of climate change, such as changes in annual precipitation, storm intensity, storm surge, and/or sea level rise, are anticipated to impact the performance of many combined sewer systems and influence the volume and frequency of combined sewer overflows, sanitary sewer overflows, and basement backups. Several CSO communities will share their stories of how they are impacted by and have adapted to climate change during webcasts scheduled for January 16th, January 30th, and February 6th from 1:00pm to 2:30pm eastern. More details can be found at the registration links here:
- 1/16: https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_wElvvLD4ThGjHcb8sKy1ug
- 1/30: https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_lay7_O_HR0amjL6lR5nLgA
- 2/06: https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_l4LihgNATaK_6NNyfgxLqg
Additional information will be provided regarding presenters in the new year. Please reach out to Kathryn Kazior (Kazior.kathryn@epa.gov) if you have any questions in the meantime.
Job Opportunities
Environmental Toxicologist
Location: Madison, WI
Closing Date: January 9, 2024
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Bureau of Water Quality is hiring an Environmental Toxicologist Advanced classification to serve as the primary staff responsible for the development of water quality criteria and secondary values for toxic pollutants that may affect the health of fish & aquatic life, wildlife, and humans. This position may be assigned a supporting and/or lead role in the revision of existing administrative rules and procedures and/or development of new water quality standards rules to provide consistency with state and federal statutes. This position requires significant expertise in environmental toxicology, environmental policy, water chemistry, aquatic ecosystem monitoring, and data interpretation. For more information and to apply, visit https://wj.wi.gov/12698.
Environmental Engineer – Wastewater
Job Number: 24-01918
Location: Des Moines, IA
Closing Date: January 2, 2024 11:59 PM
For more information, click Wastewater Engineer.
Aquatic Invasive Species Boat Launch Stewards
Location: Lake Champlain, NY and VT
Closing Date: February 1, 2024
To apply, submit a cover letter and resume by email to jobs@neiwpcc.org; please reference #24-LCBP-001
in the email subject line. Application review will begin on February 1, 2024, and will continue on a
rolling basis until all positions are filled. A full position description may be viewed at:
https://neiwpcc.org/about-us/careers.
Environmental Analyst – Wetlands & Long Island Sound
Location: Lowell, MA
Closing Date: January 5, 2024
To apply, submit a cover letter, resume, and a brief writing sample by email to jobs@neiwpcc.org. Please
reference #24-Lowell-002 in the email subject line. Application review will begin on January 5, 2024
and will continue on a rolling basis until the position is filled. A full position description may be
viewed at: https://neiwpcc.org/about-us/careers.
Water Resources Administrative Assistant
Location: Union Gap, WA
Closing Date: Continuous
For more information and to apply, please click here.
Water Quality Program Permit Fee Administrator
Location: Lacey, WA
Closing Date: Continuous
For more information and to apply, please visit State of Washington Job Opportunities.
Program Specialist II
Location: Austin, TX
Closing Date: January 3, 2024
For more information and to apply, please click here.
Natural Resources Specialist II
Location: Houston, TX
Closing Date: December 23, 2023
For more information and to apply, please click here.
Hydropower Projects Manager
Location: Lacey, WA
Closing Date: Continuous
For more information and to apply, visit State of Washington Job Opportunities.
Capital Budget and Finance Officer
Location: Lacey, WA
Closing Date: Continuous
For more information and to apply, visit State of Washington Job Opportunities.
Water Quality Monitoring Technician (71770)
Location: St. Paul, MN; Brainerd, MN
Closing date: January 17, 2024
For more information and to apply, visit The Official Site of the State of Minnesota Careers.
Water Quality Monitoring Assistant (71754)
Location: St. Paul, MN
Closing date: January 17, 2024
For more information and to apply, visit The Official Site of the State of Minnesota Careers.
South Biological Monitoring Technician (71748)
Location: St. Paul, MN
Closing date: January 17, 2024
For more information and to apply, visit The Official Site of the State of Minnesota Careers.
South Biological Monitoring Assistant (71752)
Location: St. Paul, MN
Closing date: January 17, 2024
For more information and to apply, visit The Official Site of the State of Minnesota Careers.
Stream Crew Leader (71737)
Location: Brainerd, MN
Closing date: January 17, 2024
For more information and to apply, visit The Official Site of the State of Minnesota Careers.
North Biological Seasonal Technician (71750)
Location: Brainerd, MN
Closing date: January 17, 2024
For more information and to apply, visit The Official Site of the State of Minnesota Careers.
North Biological Monitoring Assistant (71772)
Location: Brainerd, MN
Closing date: January 17, 2024
For more information and to apply, visit The Official Site of the State of Minnesota Careers.
Be sure to check out other opportunities on ACWA’s jobs page.
