News
ACWA Joins Broad Coalition in Support of FY 26 SRF Appropriations
ACWA joined a diverse coalition of national and state organizations urging the Appropriations Subcommittees in the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate to fully fund the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (SRFs) at congressionally authorized levels of $3.25 billion each for fiscal year 2026. According to recent surveys, the letter points out that the need for investment in drinking water, recycled water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure over the next 20 years exceeds $1.255 trillion. Fully funding the SRFs at $6.5 billion will allow the SRFs to play a key role in closing the funding gap and help make investments in water infrastructure more affordable for communities. According to the Clean Watershed Needs Survey Report to Congress, America needs to invest $630 billion over the next two decades to clean wastewater and stormwater before reusing it or returning it to the environment.
NACWA Comments on Methods Update Rule 22 (PFAS)
NACWA recently provided comments to EPA on the proposed CWA Methods Update Rule 22 and specifically targeted concerns related to the analytical techniques for PFAS as being “sensitive to the slightest errors and can result inaccuracies when measuring to such low concentrations.” NACWA also noted the limited lab capacity and increased complexity of the method which “will likely lead to more bottlenecks in analysis and delayed reporting…any delays in sample analysis could impact the utilities’ ability to report in a timely manner.” NACWA also believes Method 1621 should only be used as a voluntary screening tool and in conjunction with Method 1633A, and not used for compliance monitoring and urges the EPA to “consider strategies that mitigate these costs—such as phased implementation schedules or financial and technical assistance programs—to ensure that smaller and medium-sized utilities are not disproportionately burdened.” A copy of the NACWA letter can be found here: Regulations.gov – NACWA Comments
Region 5 Administrator: Anne Vogel
EPA announced this week that President Trump appointed Anne Vogel for EPA Region 5 Administrator. EPA Region 5 covers Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin and 37 Tribal nations and manage EPA’s Great Lakes National Program. Prior to joining EPA, Vogel served as director of the Ohio EPA and previously, she served as policy director for Gov. Mike DeWine. Ms. Vogel holds a law degree from Capital University and an MBA from The Ohio State University. Other appointed Regional Administrators include:
- Region 1: Mark Sanborn – Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, and 10 Tribal Nations.
- Region 2: Michael Martucci – New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and 8 Tribal Nations.
- Region 3: Catherine Libertz (Acting) – Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and 7 Tribal Nations.
- Region 4: Kevin McOmber – Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and 6 Tribal Nations.
- Region 5: Anne Vogel – Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin, and 37 Tribal nations.
- Region 6: Scott Mason – Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and 66 Tribal Nations.
- Region 7: Jim Macy – Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and 9 Tribal Nations.
- Region 8: Cyrus Wester – Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and 28 Tribal Nations.
- Region 9: Josh Cook – Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, the Pacific Islands, and 148 Tribal Nations.
- Region 10: Emma Pokon – Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington and with 271 Tribal Nations.
ECOS Publishes State PFAS Compendium
The Environmental Council of the States (ECOS) has published a compendium of state PFAS policies. This document outlines PFAS policies and showcases important information on actions to protect human health and the environment. Policies are included from all 50 states, Washington D.C., and the Northern Mariana Islands. This extensive guide will help states and other partners and stakeholders acquire more information on a particular PFAS topic and promote understanding of the important work underway.
You may view the compendium here.
Association Updates
2025 Water Quality Standards Workshop – Virtual Listen-Only Option Available For Members
Dates: April 22-24, 2025
Location: Des Moines, IA
For this year’s workshop, we are able to offer a virtual option for state staff to listen in. This virtual option will be listen-only.
You may register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/3-fPx6p0QGaQgSiQX86h7g
This workshop is a national meeting organized by ACWA for state staff involved in state water quality standards programs, as well as for both Regional and Headquarters-based U.S. Environmental Protection Agency managers and staff. More information, including an updated agenda may be found here.
Save The Date for ACWA’s 64th Annual Meeting in Madison, WI!
Dates: August 13-15th, 2025
Board of Directors will meet August 12th, 2025.
Lodging is now open for reservation!
Venue:
The Madison Concourse Hotel and Governor’s Club
One West Dayton Street, Madison, WI 53703
Room rate: $138 per night
Registration and more information will be coming soon. Check back here for more details.
2025 ACWA CWA Cross-Program Workshop – Registration and Draft Agenda
Dates: July 21-23, 2025
Location: Chicago (Rosemont), IL
Registration is now open for the 2025 CWA Cross-Program Workshop on July 21-23, 2025, in Chicago (Rosemont) at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare. The theme for this year’s Workshop will be “CWA Cross-Program Coordination to Improve Nutrient Management and Address Nutrient Pollution.” The 2025 Workshop is the third annual Cross-Program Workshop held in cooperation with EPA.
Registration: Please click here to register. There is no registration fee for this event.
Agenda: View the draft agenda here.
Objective: CWA Cross-Program Workshops are intended to bring together state, territorial, and federal CWA program administrators to discuss and share ways in which cross-program coordination and collaboration can be strengthened to more effectively and efficiently protect and restore our waters. The 2025 Workshop will focus on opportunities and challenges for administrators of CWA Sections 303(c), 303(d), and 402 in coordinating nutrient management and responses to nutrient pollution.
State, territorial, and federal clean water leaders will identify cross-program challenges and barriers to CWA implementation in the nutrients space; 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.
Participants: The Workshop target audience will be state/territorial clean water regulators with practical experience and responsibilities in supporting and managing CWA Section 303(c), 303(d), and/or 402 programs, particularly in the nutrients space, 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/territorial travel support in the form of a post-Workshop reimbursement. Please contact Ward Scott before June 1, if you know you will require travel support to attend the Workshop.
Hotel: Book your hotel room here. The room block will close June 30, 2025.
Website: 2025 Clean Water Cross-Program Workshop – Event Page
Meetings and Webinars
National Water and Wastewater Sector Cybersecurity Drill
Tuesday, April 29 – 1:00 – 2:00 pm (ET)
Register here
EPA is hosting a cybersecurity drill for drinking water and wastewater utilities to provide an opportunity for participants to test their ability to respond to a cybersecurity incident and practice manual operations.
Interested water systems may also participate in a 1-hour informational session designed specifically for systems interested in testing transition to manual operations.
Continuing education credits may be available. Please check the registration site for your state.
Water and Wastewater Cybersecurity Vulnerability Snapshot Quarterly Webinar
Wednesday, April 30th – 2:00 – 3:00 pm (ET)
Register here
The EPA and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) will provide an overview of the cybersecurity vulnerabilities identified at water and wastewater systems via CISA’s Free Cyber Vulnerability Scanning for Water Utilities and EPA’s Proactive Vulnerability Identification Program for Water and Wastewater Systems. EPA and CISA will share cybersecurity best practices for water and wastewater systems to limit exposure to these common vulnerabilities.
Job Opportunities
Upcoming Announcement: Colorado Water Quality Standards Feasibility Unit – Small Communities Feasibility Coordinator
This position is part of a team that provides scientific analysis, policy and regulatory recommendations, and other technical information to the Water Quality Control Commission (WQCC). The unit’s work involves researching and analyzing complex water quality topics to support the development, implementation, and review of water quality standards variances in accordance with the federal Clean Water Act and the Colorado Water Quality Control Act.
Our team’s Small Community Feasibility Coordinator develops economic, technological, and environmental feasibility tools to scale our program’s support for small communities working to improve water quality. This work includes connecting with communities and conducting technical work to support the development of robust policy proposals that maximize feasible water quality progress throughout Colorado. By evaluating cost-effective and practical approaches, the coordinator ensures that small communities have the resources and insights needed to implement sustainable improvements while considering their unique constraints.
An ideal candidate:
- Effectively translates engineering concepts for decision-makers and communities.
- Conducts independent research and develops clear, actionable resources.
- Understands policy, economics, and philosophy and their impact on water quality.
- Solves problems proactively, connecting people, data, and systems.
If you’re interested in this position, enjoy solving difficult problems, and having a meaningful impact, please reach out to blake.beyea@state.co.us with any questions or for more information. The official job announcement is expected to open (Spring 2025).
Environmental Technician, Marine Unit, Maine DEP (Anticipated Vacancy)
Location: Augusta, ME
Closing Date: April 25, 2025
For more information and to apply, click here.
Be sure to check out other opportunities on ACWA’s Job Opportunities page.
