News
ACWA Provides Feedback on Congressionally Directed Spending
ACWA provided feedback to the Office of Water as it prepares a report to Congress on options for administering congressionally directed spending/community projects. Many of ACWA’s members have indicated that they are not interested in assuming responsibility for community projects/congressionally directed spending. ACWA’s members were unable to provide thoughtful feedback because there was not ample time to consider the request and because EPA did not provide sufficient details for ACWA’s members to evaluate the opportunities and challenges administering these projects would raise.
Under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024 (Public Law No: 118-42) Congress directed EPA to consult with states and Tribes to solicit input on a proposed framework for state implementation of Community Project Funding/Congressionally Directed Spending (Community Grants) projects. EPA was further required to provide a written report to Congress reflecting state and Tribal input within 90 days of the passage of the Appropriations Act (by June 7, 2024), which includes the following elements:
· Allow states to apply or elect to manage a project or projects, including where recipients of Community Project Funding/Congressionally Directed Spending projects may opt-out of state management;
· Align the requirements of the grants managed by the states with those that apply to SRF loans; and
· An administrative funding set-aside for states to utilize when they elect to manage projects.
EPA conducted a series of listening sessions with the Environmental Council of the States (ECOS), the Council of Infrastructure Financing Authorities (CIFA), the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators (ASDWA), the Association of Clean Water Administrators (ACWA) and others to begin this consultation.
EPA Submits 2022 CWNS Report to Congress
The 2022 Clean Watersheds Needs Survey (CWNS) Report to Congress has been released. The 2022 CWNS, which is a collaboration between states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, other U.S. territories and EPA, shows $630 billion in capital improvement needs for the nation’s wastewater infrastructure across four main infrastructure types (Wastewater, Stormwater, Decentralized wastewater treatment, and Nonpoint Source Control projects)
The 2022 Report to Congress, summary document, and past surveys can all be found on the newly updated CWNS website at https://www.epa.gov/cwns, and a new 2022 Data Dashboard is available at https://cwnsdep.epa.gov/2022dashboard.
EPA will host a webinar with Q&A open to the public on Thursday May 30th at 2 pm ET. Please feel free to register and distribute the details for this event: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/11ed1a65-4ff2-4435-8e4d-0a09200c8031@9775d500-e49b-49a7-9e24-1ada087be6ee.
EPA Finalizes Consumer Confidence Rule
This week EPA announced finalization of revisions to the Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) Rule in accordance with America’s Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA) of 2018 (United States, 2018). These updates require states, territories, and tribes with primary drinking water enforcement responsibility to report compliance monitoring data (CMD) to EPA. EPA believes the requirements for states to submit to the EPA CMD “will improve EPA’s ability to fulfill oversight responsibilities under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA).” The revisions are expected to improve the readability, clarity, and understandability of CCRs for the public, as well as the accuracy of the information presented. The rule will also “improve risk communication in CCRs, incorporate electronic delivery options, provide supplemental information regarding lead levels and control efforts, and require systems who serve 10,000 or more persons to provide CCRs to customers biannually (twice per year).” EPA has selected 1/1/2027 as the due date for full implementation of the rule. A copy of the pre-publication version of the rule and supporting documents can be found here.
EPA Creating Resilient Water Utilities Technical Assistance Opportunities
EPA’s Creating Resilient Water Utilities (CRWU) initiative has announced opportunities for free climate change risk assessment technical assistance. Drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater (water sector) utilities, along with other water sector stakeholders, are eligible to receive free climate change risk assessment technical assistance. Through this technical assistance process, CRWU will assist approximately 75 water sector utilities / communities in identifying long-term climate change adaptation strategies, as well as potential funding options to implement adaptive measures.
If you are, or know of, a water sector utility that would like to receive this free technical assistance opportunity, please indicate your interest via email to Aliza Furneaux (furneaux.aliza@epa.gov) no later than Friday, August 15, 2024.
EPA will notify the utilities chosen to receive technical assistance by early September and will assign each utility an assessment start-date of either October 2024 or January, April, or July 2025. If you’d prefer technical assistance sooner than later, CRWU has a few opportunities to assist you now. In your email response, please indicate you are immediately ready to engage.
More details on the technical assistance process are provided below and if you’d like to see what other utilities have already done related to climate change risk assessment, visit EPA CRWU’s Adaptation Case Studies Map.
EPA Releases Infographics on WQS Variances and Designated Use Revisions
EPA has released ten infographics that provide information regarding the purpose and value of water quality standards (WQS) variances and designated use revisions and describe opportunities for meaningful public engagement during the regulatory processes.
Four of the infographics describe opportunities for public engagement throughout the state and authorized Tribal process to adopt a WQS variance or to revise a designated use. These four infographics are geared toward public stakeholder audiences who are already familiar with WQS, such as members of environmental organizations and active community-based groups.
Two other infographics provide general information on WQS variances and designated use revisions. A state or authorized Tribe can use these six infographics to communicate (e.g., at a public meeting) the usefulness, and dispel negative perception, of WQS variances or designated use revisions.
The remaining four infographics are geared toward state or authorized Tribal WQS staff. These infographics explain the value of public engagement and where opportunities for meaningful collaboration with the public can contribute to a successful WQS variance or designated use revision process.
Download the EPA’s WQS variance infographics and learn more about WQS variances.
Association Updates
2024 National CAFO Roundtable
ACWA recently facilitated the 2024 National Stormwater Roundtable, which was held in Kansas City, Missouri April 30-May 3, 2024. This year’s roundtable had 146 participants, of which 92 participated in person and 52 participated virtually. Participants represented 39 states, 7 EPA Regions, and several staff from EPA HQs. Topics discussed included an overview of the KS and MO animal agriculture programs, EPA’s National Update, general permits, new state requirements, compliance assistance tools, facility closures, tile drains, NMP requirements, precipitation challenges, groundwater requirements, Maui implications, PFAS in animal products, digesters, manure transfer and mass mortality issues. Presentations from the meeting can be found here.
2024 Annual Meeting – Registration and Lodging Now Available!
Reserve Your Lodging at Renaissance New Orleans Pere Marquette French Quarter Area.
Early Bird Registration rates are now available. Register here. Please reach out to Lexy Bailey, Member Services Associate, for assistance.
More information can be found here on ACWA’s website.
Your Chance to be Featured in ACWA’s 2024 Annual Report!
As we gear up for our annual report, we’re looking to expand our photo library. We invite you to be a part of the Annual Report by sharing your photographs with us!
Here’s how you can participate:
- Select your best high-resolution water photos
- Email them to Lexy Bailey by June 9th, 2024
- Include your name and the location of the photograph
Thank you!
2024 Cross-Program Workshop – Registration Closes Today!
Registration: Please reach out directly to Ward Scott for the meeting registration link. Workshop registration will be limited to state and federal officials. REGISTRATION WILL CLOSE FRIDAY, MAY 17.
Dates/Venue: June 6-7, 2024 at the National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, WV
Objective: ACWA’s CWA Cross-Program Workshops are intended to bring together state and federal Clean Water Act (CWA) program administrators to discuss and share ways in which cross-program coordination and collaboration can be strengthened to more effectively and efficiently restore and protect the nation’s waters. The 2024 Workshop will focus on opportunities and challenges for state administrators of CWA Section 303(c), 303(d), and 402 in coordinating the planning and implementation of efforts to restore and protect the nation’s waters.
State and federal clean water leaders will identify cross-program challenges and barriers to CWA implementation; work toward solutions to cross cutting water quality topics; identify ways to improve technical capabilities; highlight opportunities for cross-program planning, implementation, and co-operation; and clarify linkages, roles, and responsibilities among CWA programs. Workshop discussions will center around states’ cross-program coordination to address issues including temperature pollution, nutrient reduction, environmental justice, and the prioritization and implementation of protection and restoration efforts.
Venue: We are excited that this year’s Workshop will be held at the National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, WV, in conjunction with the Environmental Law Institute’s 2024 National Training Workshop on Water Quality Assessment and Plans. The Cross-Program Workshop will begin on the morning of June 6 and run through the morning of Friday, June 7. Workshop attendees are invited and encouraged to arrive on Wednesday, June 5 to participate in ELI’s Workshop sessions and events on Wednesday afternoon and evening.
Participants: The Workshop target audience will be state regulators from around the country with practical experience and responsibilities in supporting and managing CWA Section 303(c), 303(d), and/or 402 programs, as well as EPA representatives for each of the programs. Attendees should come prepared to discuss ways in which cross-program coordination has been an important aspect of successful program and/or restoration plan implementation, as well as cross-program challenges and needs.
Travel Support: ACWA plans to provide limited state travel support in the form of a post-Workshop reimbursement. Please contact Ward Scott directly if you know you will require travel support to attend the Workshop.
Travel Logistics: Coming from Dulles International Airport, attendees will be provided with free shuttle transportation to the NCTC on Wednesday, June 5, and back to Dulles at the conclusion of the Workshop on Friday, June 7.
Website: Future updates for the 2024 Cross-Program Workshop will be available on ACWA’s website Events page.
Save The Date: 2024 National Stormwater Roundtable
Dates: October 22 – 24, 2024
City: Washington, DC
Meeting Space: EPA HQ Meeting Space
Hotel: Grand Hyatt Washington
Website: 2024 National Stormwater Roundtable
This week ACWA sent out emails regarding agenda topics, potential presenters, volunteers for the Agenda Planning Committee, and travel support. If you did not receive a related email, please contact Sean Rolland at srolland@acwa-us.org.
EPA Nonpoint Source Branch Technical Assistance Opportunities
The EPA HQ Nonpoint Source Management Branch has announced that it is administering a contract to provide technical assistance to states, territories, and/or Tribes to protect and restore surface water quality. Nonpoint source projects in the following categories are eligible for funding: Reduce Pollution from Agricultural NPS Activities; Mitigate NPS Impacts of Natural Hazards; Improve Equity of NPS Program Benefits and Outcomes; Provide Technical Assistance to SRF Programs to Advance NPS or Source Water Protection Priorities. All proposals must be submitted to EPA by June 7, 2024. Work on selected projects will start as early as July 1 and may proceed until completion or up to June 29, 2025, whichever comes first. Please contact Don Waye (waye.don@epa.gov) or Joseph Ziobro (ziobro.joseph@epa.gov) with EPA HQ NPS Management Branch for further information.
Meetings and Webinars
EPA Water Technical Assistance (WaterTA): Helping Communities Access Funding
Date: May 22, 2024
Time: 2:00 pm ET
Register: Here
EPA’s Water Technical Assistance provides free hands on support for communities to assess their water
needs, identify potential solutions, and apply for federal funding to address their water challenges. Every community deserves access to clean, safe and reliable drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater
services. Yet too many communities across America— in rural, tribal, suburban, and urban areas —struggle to address water infrastructure needs and obtain funding.
For more information on WaterTA, please visit www.epa.gov/WaterTA.
EPA ORD Harmful Algal Blooms, Hypoxia, and Nutrients Research Webinar: Using Wetlands to Reduce Nutrient Loadings to Rivers and the Coast
Date: May 22, 2024
Time: 2:00 pm ET
Register: Here
On May 22, 2024, at 2:00 pm ET, EPA will host a webinar, EPA ORD Harmful Algal Blooms, Hypoxia, and Nutrients Research Webinar – Using Wetlands to Reduce Nutrient Loadings to Rivers and the Coast. Please click here to register for the webinar. Wetland restoration and construction are important to land management options for retaining nitrogen and phosphorus, thereby improving water quality locally, such as in streams. However, little is known about the cumulative influence of wetlands outside of floodplains (i.e., non-floodplain wetlands (NFWs)) on surface water quality at large scales. This presentation will discuss research: (1) assessing the potential for NFWs to reduce nitrate within small subbasins of the Upper Mississippi River as well as the river basin’s outlet; (2) exploring what NFW and NFW catchment characteristics influence nitrate reductions at these spatial scales; and (3) quantifying how far downstream NFW-mediated nitrate reductions are realized.
Strategies for Community Engagement for Water Infrastructure Projects
Date: May 22, 2024
Time: 11-12:30 pm eastern
Register: Here
Flooding is difficult for everyone, but it is particularly challenging for low-income families and other historically underrepresented communities that experience more barriers and have fewer resources to support their safe evacuation and recovery. For our communities to thrive, equity and environmental justice must be advanced at all levels of public agencies’ practices and decisions. Meaningful community engagement is essential to environmental justice and should focus on communicating directly with the impacted communities and providing a means for their input to inform decision outcomes. To facilitate collaboration and peer support about best practices and strategies for community engagement and environmental justice in water infrastructure National Association of Flood and Stormwater Management Agencies (NAFSMA) is facilitating this webinar on May 22nd 11-12:30 pm eastern.
This webinar will include presentations from:
- Jessica Ludy, US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Flood Risk Management, Equity, and Environmental Justice presenting “Community Driven Preparedness”
- Akilah Martin, Ph.D. CPC, USACE, Interdisciplinary Planner/Public Involvement Specialist presenting “Asset Based Language”
- Kelsey Morales, Assistant Manager for the Tribes and Climate Change Program, Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals presenting “Strategies on how to engage with Tribal Communities”
- Michelle Clark, Executive Director, King County Flood Control District “Working with Public Health Navigators for Community Engagement”
Redefining “Disadvantaged Communities” in a New Water Infrastructure Era
Date: May 30, 2024
Time: 2:30 – 4:00 PM Eastern Time
Register: Here
BIL created a number of opportunities for equitable outcomes for disadvantaged communities in the financing of water infrastructure. The law now requires SRF programs to provide 49% of BIL money to disadvantaged communities as principal forgiveness loans or grants. This allows additional communities that have struggled to access water infrastructure funding to receive the support they need. This webinar will share:
- How the SRF programs are given authority to determine what constitutes a “disadvantaged community” and this varies greatly across the country.
- How states have ensured their definitions bring about the most equitable outcome possible.
- The role public participation requirements had in modifying their definitions.
- Challenges states have had in implementing the funding.
- What clean water advocates can do to help states achieve the most equitable process possible for source water protection in their programs.
The webinar is targeted to states, water utilities, source water protection staff, state BIL funding program staff, source water collaboratives, federal agencies, and other water stakeholders.
Sign up here to receive notification about future BIL-related information and other news from the national Source Water Collaborative.
EPA Water Affordability Needs Assessment – PUBLIC LISTENING SESSION
Date: June 3rd, 2024
Time: 1:00–3:00 PM ET
Register: HERE
Water affordability is a growing issue that impacts millions of households throughout the United States. Low-income households are struggling to pay their water bills, and some utilities also struggle to meet rising costs for operations and maintenance and upgrading aging infrastructure. A cornerstone of EPA’s work to address water affordability will be the development of a Water Affordability Needs Assessment and Report to Congress. The report will characterize the extent and scope of water burden impacts to households and utilities Across the country. This session will focus on hearing from communities, utilities and advocacy groups who have not yet been involved in the report’s development. We invite you to share your experiences, perspectives, and ideas regarding these questions:
- How are people in your community impacted by water affordability challenges?
- What recommendations do you have for how EPA can support communities where
households struggle with water bills? - What do you think is important for EPA to understand about water affordability?
June 2024 In-person NPDES Permit Writers Course Announcement
Dates: June 10-14, 2014
Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Cost: Free
Registration: EPA NPDES Permit Writers Course – Baltimore, MD Mon, Jun 10, 2024 at 11:00 AM | Eventbrite
The objective of this course is to provide the basic regulatory framework and technical considerations that support the development of wastewater discharge permits required under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program. The course was designed for permit writers with six months to one year of experience in the NPDES program, but experienced permit writers wanting a refresher course and other water program staff wanting to learn more about the NPDES program also are welcome. Microsoft Teams will be utilized to provide electronic course materials and can be accessed through the desktop application or a web browser. Course materials will be provided on the Microsoft Teams classroom site for download by the participants prior to the start date. As a foundational course, the training does not address in detail specialized topics such as industrial and municipal stormwater, concentrated animal feeding operations and pesticide discharges. For more information on these specialized topics, please visit EPA’s NPDES Web site at www.epa.gov/npdes. If you have questions regarding the course, please contact Sean Ramach at npdestraining@epa.gov or call him directly at (202) 564-2865.
Cumulative Impacts: How Potential Flood Exposures, Resource Access, and Social Vulnerability Affect Resilience Outcomes
Date: June 11, 2024
Time: 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET
Register: HERE
This webinar will cover geospatial model development and model applications in cumulative impacts research. The presentation will discuss the basic concepts and data that drive the models, as well as case studies that illustrate their utility in decision-making, goal setting and goal tracking. The research is grounded in environmental justice and resilience frameworks and is meant to connect local disparities to broader resilience outcomes, with a focus on delivering information at multiple geographic scales.
EPA Infrastructure Finance Webinar: Opportunities to Advance Water Reuse
Date: June 26, 2024
Time: 1:00 pm ET
Register: Here
On June 26, 2024 at 1:00 pm ET, EPA will host an Infrastructure Finance Webinar: Opportunities to Advance Water Reuse. The webinar will highlight different federal infrastructure financing programs available for water reuse projects – including EPA’s Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds, the Bureau of Reclamation’s WaterSMART Title XVI Program, and USDA’s Rural Development. Representatives from the federal agencies will briefly discuss their funding programs, application requirements, and examples of previous water reuse projects funded under those programs.
Job Opportunities
Environmental Analyst – Drinking Water Program Assistant
Location: Albany, NY
Closing Date: May 19, 2024
To apply, submit cover letter, resume, and a brief writing sample by email to jobs@neiwpcc.org by May 19, 2024. Please reference #24-NYS-SW-DOH-003 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.
Environmental Analyst – Technical Assistance Provider
Location: Augusta, ME
Closing Date: May 19, 2024
To apply, submit cover letter, resume, and a brief writing sample by email to jobs@neiwpcc.org by May 19, 2024. Please reference #24-DHHS-DWP-002 in the email subject line. A full position description may be viewed at: https://neiwpcc.org/about-us/careers.
WW Enforcement Coordinator – Analyst 3
Location: Boise, ID
Closing Date: May 22, 2024
For more information and to apply, click here.
Environmental Scientist 3 (Environmental Scientist 2 Underfill, Environmental Scientist 1 Underfill)
Location: Location: Carson, Minden, Gardnerville, Genoa, NV
Closing Date: May 23, 2024
Please note the applicant will need to evaluate the required experience and submit to the appropriate recruitment. For more information and to apply, click here.
Compliance and Enforcement Municipal and Industrial Facility Inspector | Water Resource Professional II
Location: Santa Fe, NM
Closing Date: May 24, 2024
Job ID # 143905
Position # 772081
The Surface Water Quality Bureau (SWQB) preserves, protects, and improves New Mexico’s surface water quality for present and future generations. This position supports the Bureau’s mission by evaluating compliance with state and federal environmental laws and regulations; conducting facility inspections and tracking significant deficiencies; conducting and/or coordinating enforcement actions; and supporting litigation, consent agreements, and settlement agreements.
The ideal candidate will have experience synthesizing qualitative and quantitative data; applying environmental regulations, policies, and guidance for surface water permitting; providing compliance assistance to regulated facilities; enforcing permit requirements and water quality regulations; and reviewing and writing technical documents.
If you are interested in applying, please visit NM’s Careers site to review the job posting and complete your application!
Water Quality Permitting Scientist – Stormwater
Location: Helena, MT
Closing Date: May 24, 2024
For more information and to apply, click here.
Water Quality Permitting Scientist – Coal
Location: Helena, MT
Closing Date: May 24, 2024
For more information and to apply, click here.
Senior Loan Specialist, Clean Water State Revolving Fund (Loan Specialist 3)
Location: Portland, Eugene, or Salem, Oregon (finalist may choose work location)
Closing Date: May 27, 2024
For more information and to apply, click here.
Environmental Analyst – Assistant Scientist
Location: Grand Isle, VT
Closing Date: May 28, 2024
To apply, submit your cover letter, resume and writing sample by email to jobs@neiwpcc.org by May 28, 2024.
Please reference #24-LCBP-006 in the email subject line. Accepting applications until the position is
filled. A full position description may be viewed at: https://neiwpcc.org/about-us/careers.
Part-time Contracted Student Intern, Total Maximum Daily Load Section
Location: Worcester, MA
Closing Date: Open until filled (first consideration will be given to applications received within 14 days of the April 26th posting date).
MassDEP seeks applicants for a Contracted Student Intern within the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Section, Watershed Planning Program (WPP), Bureau of Water Resources. Under supervision of the TMDL Analyst, the Contracted Student Intern will assist TMDL Streamlining & Automation Initiative related to pathogen TMDL development. The part-time position will begin in June and end in October 2024 for a maximum of 22.5 hours per week. The position will be based in Worcester at the Watershed Planning Program’s office, 8 New Bond Street, but will operate within the Commonwealth’s current hybrid work model.
For more information and to apply, see MassCareers Job Opportunities
Environmental Analyst – Underground Storage Tanks
Location: Providence, RI
Closing Date: June 9, 2024
To apply, submit a cover letter, resume, and writing sample by email to jobs@neiwpcc.org by June 9, 2024.
Please reference #24-RIDEM-002 in the email subject line. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, accepting applications until the position is filled. A full position description and benefits listing may be viewed at: https://neiwpcc.org/about-us/careers.
Environmental Analyst – Water Quality Division
Location: Lowell, MA
Closing Date: June 9, 2024
To apply, submit cover letter, resume, and a brief writing sample by email to jobs@neiwpcc.org by June 9, 2024. Please reference #24-Lowell-008 in the email subject line. Accepting applications until the position is filled. A full position description may be viewed at: https://neiwpcc.org/about-us/careers.
Environmental Specialist IV, Maine Healthy Beaches Program Coordinator, Maine DEP – (Position 1900)
Location: Portland, ME
Closing Date: June 10, 2024
For more information and to apply, click here.
Washington Conservation Corps (WCC) Secretary (Secretary Senior)
Location: Multiple Locations Statewide, WA
Closing Date: Continuous
For more information and to apply, click here.
Be sure to check out other opportunities on ACWA’s Job Opportunities page.
