News
EPA Takes Two Important Steps Under PFAS Action Plan
EPA has given advanced notice of proposed rulemaking that would allow the public to provide input on adding PFAS to the Toxics Release Inventory toxic chemical list. A second action is a supplemental proposal to ensure that certain persistent long-chain PFAS chemicals cannot be imported into the United States without notification and review by EPA under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). More information will be provided when available.
EPA Workshop: Opportunities and Challenges to Address Stormwater Financing Needs
Date: Tuesday, October 1, 2019
Time: 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM eastern
Managing stormwater can be a community’s most challenging and expensive problem. The price tag can be huge, the sources are diffuse, and public support is crucial to its success. EPA’s Water Finance Center invites you to join us at the ” Opportunities and Challenges to Address Stormwater Financing Needs” workshop at AlexRenew on Oct. 1. This workshop will be a facilitated discussion on current funding sources for stormwater projects and how they are being utilized. It will cover gaps for long-term operation and maintenance, including the affordability of stormwater infrastructure through various funding sources. It will also include a discussion on funding trash removal from stormwater. For more information on this workshop in Alexandria, please contact waterfinancecenter@epa.gov and or click here to register.
EPA Webcast: Modernizing Compliance: Best Practices and Technologies for Performance-Based Stormwater Management
Date: Thursday, October 3, 2019
Time: 1:00 – 2:30 PM eastern
Stormwater is a source of water pollution that poses challenges for many communities. Faced with shrinking budgets, aging infrastructure, extreme weather events, and population growth, municipal separate storm sewer system permittees and regulators alike are looking for cost-effective solutions and innovative electronic tools to better manage stormwater and build long-term community resilience.In this webcast, join Peter Kozelka from EPA Region 9, Seth Brown from The National Municipal Stormwater Alliance, Dominic Roques of the California Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board, Randy Neprash with Minnesota Cities Stormwater Coalition, and Greg Gearheart of the California State Water Resources Control Board, as they discuss how new cloud-based tools—with examples from 2NDNATURE software—are providing an opportunity to digitally transform state regulatory stormwater programs, offering streamlined reporting and meaningful tracking of clean water progress.
Association Updates
Lawrence “Larry” Sauger
It is with deepest sympathies and great sorrow that we must inform you that our beloved Annual White Elephant trophy is now swimming with the angelfish. This bold, gill-bearing trickster has canned his last cod after discovering that fish travel better in water than in cardboard freight. Born in Patoka Lake, 10 miles south of French Lick, Indiana, a young Larry once had dreams of becoming a sturgeon, but couldn’t bring his GPA above c-level in med school. Larry then thought he might try to become a star NBA player like his namesake. However, due to a lack of arms, lungs, and jumping ability, he quickly realized that idea was for the birds. Larry decided to focus on something he knew well – water quality issues – and has since been a key member of ACWA for many years. Adored by all, Larry was a master of hiding in boxes and surprising unsuspecting new members at ACWA’s Annual Meeting.
His complete lack of movement made people think he was stiff, but Larry was a cool water fish who knew how to stand out and have a good time, and he even liked to wear wool scarves in the summer just for the halibut. Just don’t expect him to sing or play music for you, he’s no bass.
Larry is survived by thousands of spawn in rivers across America including Oregon, Iowa, Connecticut, Oklahoma, Kansas, and DC. Larry’s journey has come to an end in Boise, Idaho, where he was ceremoniously flushed as is tradition in his family. He will be remembered fondly as an expert in his field (stream).
Farewell and go with the flow, Larry.
ECOS Fall Meeting
This week ACWA staff participated at ACWA’s 2019 Fall Meeting in Seattle, Washington. Meeting topics included partnerships and performance, shale gas and water reuse, natural disaster preparation and recovery, stormwater solutions, state mitigation and CWA 401, methane mapping, cooperative federalism oversight, PFAS progress, TSCA, EPA regional realignment, development of a national permitting oversight policy, and getting to results through LEAN. A copy of the final agenda can be found here. Several ACWA members and alumni participated as well including Scott Mandirola (WV), Trisha Oeth (CO), John Kenning (MT), Henry Darwin (EPA), Ed Galbraith (MO), Eli Levitt (WA), Bob Zimmerman (DE), and Arleen O’Donnell (ERG).
ACWA Legal Affairs Committee Quarterly Call Summary
This week, ACWA held its Legal Affairs Committee Quarterly call. The call focused on two big issues, variances and 401 certification. On the variance issue, Montana DEQ’s Myla Kelly, Mike Suplee, and Attorney Kurt Moser, discussed the Upper Missouri Waterkeeper v. EPA case on Montana’s nutrients variance. On 401 certification, Deputy Attorney General Tatiana Gaur of California discussed EPA’s proposed 401 certification rule, Attorney Sita Crouse of New York State Department of Environmental Conservation discussed the FERC Order regarding National Fuel Gas Supply Corporation, and David Rose of California State Water Resources Control Board discussed the FERC Order regarding Placer County Water Agency.
The next Legal Affairs Committee Quarterly call is scheduled for December 4, 2019 at 2:00 pm Eastern. For more information on the Legal Affairs Committee, contact Mark Patrick McGuire.
Version 2.0 of Nutrients Tracker Released to States
ACWA is proud to announce the official release of the Nutrient Reduction Progress Tracker 2.0 – 2019 (the “Tracker”).
For some background, the Nutrients Working Group (“NWG”), a partnership between ACWA, EPA, and ASDWA, began work in 2014 to identify a set of measures that demonstrate progress toward nutrient reduction in the nation’s waters. States recognized that while there was a national metric tracking state adoption of numeric nitrogen and phosphorus criteria for lakes, estuaries, and flowing waters, there was an opportunity to also measure the myriad of other approaches states take to reduce nutrient pollution.
The Nutrient Reduction Progress Tracker Version 1.0 – 2017 was the culmination of that effort. The NWG released a Report in March 2018 summarizing the data received.
The Nutrients Reduction Progress Tracker Version 2.0 – 2019 follows the 2017 version, seeking to both track state progress on nutrients pollution reduction efforts since 2017 and also seek more detail on state programs.
ACWA asks that your state complete the Tracker on SurveyMonkey by December 6, 2019. ACWA will then review the results and publish a report by March 2020. As you will see in the Tracker, some answers are to be provided by EPA. ACWA will distribute EPA’s data for state review upon availability.
You may access the Tracker here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ACWATracker2019.
If you would like a fillable .pdf to assist in your efforts, you may access that here: Nutrient_Reduction_Progress_Tracker_2.0_-_2019.
For assistance in filling out the Tracker, please consult ACWA’s FAQs here: Nutrient_Reduction_Progress_Tracker_2.0_-_2019_FAQ.
If you have any other questions regarding this effort, please contact Mark Patrick McGuire or 202-756-0604
Meetings
ACWA Nutrients Permitting Workshop – November 2019
Registration for the November 2019 Nutrients Permitting Workshop located in Alexandria, Virginia at the AlexRenew facility November 5-7, 2019 is live. To register, go here. The workshop will focus on identifying challenges and building solutions regarding water quality standards and permitting for nutrients. To view a draft agenda, go here.
Lodging is available at the Embassy Suites Alexandria Hotel. To reserve your lodging, call direct 703-684-7900 or 1-800-EMBASSY and ask for the Association of Clean Water Administrators group of rooms, or reserve online here. There are only 10 rooms left in the ACWA room block, so please get make your reservations ASAP!
2020 National Stormwater Roundtable – February 2020
The 2020 National Stormwater Roundtable will be held in San Antonio, Texas on February 4 – 6, 2020, supports implementation of federal and state municipal, industrial, and construction stormwater programs nationwide by sharing best management practices, showcasing innovative state programs and initiatives, highlighting new technologies, 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 regulators and other stakeholders. The Stormwater Roundtable is national meeting specifically organized by state and federal regulators for EPA and state program staff representatives. Attendees include state managers, permit writers, inspectors, and compliance staff involved in regulating stormwater, EPA Headquarter and Regional staff involved in stormwater regulation, and partnering state and federal agency staff that provide technical and/or regulatory assistance to the stormwater program. Future updates for this meeting can be found on ACWA’s webpage – https://www.acwa-us.org/event/2020-national-stormwater-roundtable/
2020 National Pretreatment Meeting – SAVE THE DATE!
The 2020 National Pretreatment Meeting will take place May 11-13 in Nashville, Tennessee. Though the agenda is currently in development, tentatively, Monday, May 11 will be a series of training sessions from 1-5; Tuesday, May 12 will be an all-day states and EPA-only meeting; and Wednesday, May 13 will be an all-day meeting partnered with NACWA at the Nashville Marriott at Vanderbilt University.
Job Opportunities
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
The State of Colorado’s Water Quality Control Division is seeking a unit manager to oversee its stormwater permitting program. This manager would supervise talented and experienced permit writers to renew the state’s industrial general stormwater permit, its MS4 permits, and its construction general permit. In addition, the position would supervises authorizations and assist in rulemakings for the state’s nonpotable reclaimed water program. With the day-to-day supervision of a workgroup lead, the manager oversees the state’s dewatering and groundwater permitting work. This position is a fantastic opportunity to work with a dedicated team to improve water quality and help the state of Colorado write better and smarter stormwater permits. We are looking for someone with management experience, passion for this work, and significant stormwater permitting experience. The official announcement can be found here: Stormwater Discharge Permits Unit Manager. If you have questions, feel free to contact Meg Parish at meg.parish@state.co.us or 303.692.3419. The position closes on October 6, 2019.
NEIWPCC
The New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission (NEIWPCC) and the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) Bureau of Water Supply Protection (BWSP) are seeking highly organized and detail-oriented candidates for an Environmental Analyst – Hydrogeologist to conduct, or oversee the conduct of, investigations on matters such as source water assessment and protection, water storage, treatment and distribution, wastewater treatment and discharge, point-source and non-point source pollution, permitting, or other compliance and regulatory issues. The incumbent will develop and update source water assessment plans (SWAPs), collect, or oversee the collection of environmental samples for analysis, and summarize, evaluate, and present environmental information and data. Will develop and execute groundwater flow models to support SWAPPs and source water programs. Will develop written materials to provide guidance and training for local municipalities, governmental and non-governmental agencies, and local health departments (LHDs) on source water protection strategies and implementation. Will provide support for associated programs by implementing procedures and performing sampling and testing to ensure compliance and will develop concise and coherent multi-media documents for communicating program activities and accomplishments.
The New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission (NEIWPCC) and the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) Bureau of Water Supply Protection (BWSP) are seeking highly organized and detail-oriented candidates for an Environmental Analyst – Drinking Water Specialist to conduct, or oversee the conduct of, investigations on matters such as source water assessment and protection, water storage, treatment and distribution, wastewater treatment and discharge, point-source and non-point source pollution, permitting, or other compliance and regulatory issues. The incumbent will develop and update source water assessment plans (SWAPs), collect, or oversee the collection of environmental samples for analysis, and summarize, evaluate, and present environmental information and data. Will develop written materials to provide guidance and training for local municipalities, governmental and non-governmental agencies, and local health departments (LHDs) on source water protection strategies and implementation. Will provide support for associated programs by implementing procedures and performing sampling and testing to ensure compliance and will develop concise and coherent multi-media documents for communicating program activities and accomplishments. Go here to apply to both vacancies by October 11, 2019.
Be sure to check out other opportunities on ACWA’s jobs page.
