News
Ohio EPA hosts Integrated Planning Workshop
This week, Ohio EPA hosted a integrated planning workshop in Columbus, Ohio. The workshop included presentations from experts and practitioners that have implemented integrated plans in Ohio municipalities, including engineers, WWTF managers, and city mayors. The workshop also included a lengthy discussion on affordability calculations. For more information on Lima, Ohio’s integrated plan (what many consider the first modern integrated plan), go here. To learn more about integrated planning, go here.
EPA Updates its Aquatic Life Benchmarks Table
EPA has updated its aquatic life benchmarks table by registering 4 new pesticides, and revising values for 30 others.
A summary of the recent changes may be found here: https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-science-and-assessing-pesticide-risks/summary-september-2019-updates-aquatic-life.
EPA to Hold Water Modeling Workshop in Dallas, TX : October 29 – November 1, 2019
EPA’s Water Modeling Workgroup has announced a workshop on exploring and applying surface water modeling tools. This four-day workshop is for program staff from EPA, states, tribes, and territories who want to learn more about surface water quality modeling and how these tools can be used to support their program activities.
The workshop format includes a pre-workshop hands-on training (Monday, October 28 from 1:00 – 4:00 pm), morning plenary sessions, and four afternoon break-out session tracks (HSPF hands-on training track, WASP hands-on training track, model overview track, and model managers track). The morning plenary sessions and the model managers track will be streamed for those who cannot attend.
All workshop sessions will take place at the EPA Region 6 Office (Renaissance Tower, 1201 Elm Street, Dallas, TX). https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/visiting-epas-region-6-office-dallas
More information may be found at the workshop website: http://watermodelingworkshop.tetratech.com/
If you have questions about the workshop, please contact Kellie DuBay: kellie.dubay@tetratech.com
Senate Appropriations Bill
Last week, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved a Fiscal Year 2020 (FY20) spending bill for EPA and several other agencies that funds the agency at $9.01 billion, a $161 million boost over current levels that includes some increases for EPA programs and key clean water programs. Also last week, Congress passed, and the President signed into law, a short-term continuing resolution (CR) that extends government funding from October 1 through November 21 at current levels, avoiding a government shutdown.
Key provisions in the bill include a total $2.765 billion for clean and drinking water revolving loan programs, as well as $20 million in additional funding to help states address contamination from PFAS. Other funding highlights include $73 million for the Water Infrastructure Financing Innovation Act (WIFIA), an increase of $5 million from the current level.
Association Updates
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.
The ACWA room block at Embassy Suites Alexandria Hotel is full. If you need to make a hotel reservation, contact Mark Patrick McGuire for other hotel options in the area.
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.
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/
Job Opportunities
Kansas Department of Health and Environment
Assistant Director, Bureau of Water
Topeka, Kansas
This position Acts on behalf of the Director and the Bureau on technical and policy issues regarding application of the Clean Water Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act in Kansas. Creates and implements initiatives for wastewater, stormwater, water quality and drinking water actions.
1) Advises and consults with Bureau Director on technical and policy matters for the Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act and associated State authorities.
2) Implements Special Projects to address water quality and public water supply technical and policy issues, pursuant to respective regulations and guidance for Federal and State programs .
3) Leads coordinated efforts involving permitting and water quality programs of other BOW sections to address complex environmental and regulatory technical and policy issues.
4) Establishes and tracks performance measures and metrics for permitting activities and monitor progress toward attainment of goals and objectives, expressed through the Bureau budget, KDHE Strategic Plan, Kansas Water Plan and the Performance Partnership Grant and other agreements with EPA.
5) Prepares annual Bureau operational budget and supporting narrative in conjunction with the Bureau Director and Fiscal Analyst
6) Prepares, submits, coordinates and reports on Federal grants awarded by EPA; evaluate efficacy to Bureau programs in seeking new initiative grants from EPA
7) Meet with Section Chiefs to provide budget status for each section and set strategy for new budget requests.
8) Manages the biennial Performance Partnership Grant (PPG) with EPA which provides funding and a negotiated work plan for the PWS Supervision Program, the UIC program, the 303(c) and (d) programs and the NPDES programs, including permitting and compliance enforcement,
9) Acts as liaison between Director and staff
10) Represents Bureau on behalf of Director at public and interagency functions
Salary: $70,000 – $80,000
Position posting closes October 18, 2019
NEIWPCC
The New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission (NEIWPCC) is seeking candidates for an Environmental Analyst (Technical Assistant) to join the Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP) team to work with our Vermont, New York and Quebec partners. The incumbent will assist in facilitating research and implementation projects that address challenges facing water resources in the Lake Champlain Basin. Develop and execute tasks that support projects addressing nutrient reduction, flood resilience, aquatic invasive species, and stormwater management issues. The Technical Assistant will manage grants, assist with the development of request for proposals for technical projects, and support the LCBP grant review process. Prepare technical data and interpretation for use on the LCBP website and support maintenance of the site and organize individuals with knowledge of or experience with Lake Champlain Basin resource issues a must.
The successful candidate will have a proven ability to establish effective working relationships within diverse groups and the ability to exercise considerable tact and diplomacy. Familiarity with technical data and systemic approaches to quality assurance and quality control preferred. Excellent computer skills, particularly spreadsheet and data analysis software, and geographic information systems preferred as well. Bachelor’s degree in natural science, physical geography, resource management, geographic information systems required. Interested parties can apply here by October 25, 2019.
Oregon
The City of St. Helens is seeking applications for the position of Pretreatment Coordinator for the Wastewater Treatment Plant. This position is responsible for conducting and implementing requirements of the City’s industrial pretreatment program in accordance with Federal, State and local regulations to control waste water discharges of industrial users of the City sewerage system.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
- Must possess or have the ability to obtain a valid state driver’s license.
- Certification as an Oregon Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator III, or ability to obtain a Treatment III certification within six (6) months or as determined by the Superintendent. (Preferred)
- Certification as an Oregon Wastewater Collection Operator II, or ability to obtain a Collection II certification within six (6) months or as determined by the Superintendent. (Preferred)
- Trained in confined space procedures and use and containment of hazardous chemicals used. Trained in the use of all safety equipment, oxygen detection meter, blower, respirator, etc.
- Must be able to use basic spreadsheet and word processing computer programs to enter data and prepare correspondence. Possess skills or have the ability to learn to operate Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) equipment and software.
Interested parties can apply here by October 25, 2019.
Be sure to check out other opportunities on ACWA’s jobs page.
Coming Soon…
How’s My Waterway Workgroup
Monday, October 7, 2:00-3:00 pm ET
For more information, contact Katie Foreman or Jasper Hobbs
