News
Announcement of $8.5 billion for the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds
EPA is announcing over $8.5 billion from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024 for States, Tribes, and Territories through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF). This funding will help communities upgrade essential drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater systems to protect public health and treasured water bodies across the nation. Today’s announcement includes final annual SRF allotments for FY 2024 and final allotments for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law General Supplemental funds and Emerging Contaminant funds for SRF programs for FY 2024 announced earlier this year. EPA anticipates announcing allocations for billions of dollars in additional resources for the 2024 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Lead Service Line Replacement fund in the coming days. Additional information is available at https://www.epa.gov/cwsrf. A state-by-state breakout of the DWSRF funds is shown on page 1 and a state-by-state breakout of the CWSRF funds is shown on page 9 of this attachment.
Water Coalition Fights for Federal Funding to Protect Public Health
ACWA joined a coalition spearheaded by the Council of Infrastructure Financing Authorities (CIFA) to advocate for full funding of the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (SRFs) at congressionally authorized levels of $3 billion each for fiscal year 2025.
Over the last thirty years, the SRFs have turned $79 billion in federal funding into more than $215 billion in total funding for more than 64,000 projects. Today, an estimated $90 billion remains constantly revolving in new loans for more water infrastructure, more than total combined federal funding. However, in the last three years, Congress has cut annual federal funding for SRF-subsidized loans. According to CIFA, if the trend continues, communities face a funding cliff for affordable financing when one-time funding runs out in two years.
Since 2022, Congress has diverted $3.65 billion in federal funding from the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (SRFs) to pay for congressional earmarks. Thankfully, supplemental funding in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) has mitigated the impact of these draconian cuts, providing a temporary safety net for utilities. However, the one-time funding in the IIJA runs out in just two years, leaving utilities with limited access to affordable financing to rehabilitate, replace, and modernize aging infrastructure. Without the restoration of federal funding to the SRFs, water utilities will be forced to finance projects through the municipal market which has the highest interest rates in decades, or delay investments until rates come down. To join the effort, visit SAVETHESRFS.ORG.
WIFIA Annual Report
EPA recently released its 2023 WIFIA Annual Report highlighting program accomplishments for the past fiscal year. The program closed approximately $3 billion in loans to support approximately $7 billion in drinking, waste and stormwater projects across the country. To learn more about the projects supported by the WIFIA program, visit its interactive storymap.
LIWHAP Water Utility Affordability Survey Report
The Office of Community Services is proud to announce the release of the LIWHAP Water Utility Affordability Survey Report. The survey collected information from water and wastewater utilities across the United States about arrears, disconnections, fees, rates, and other utility information. The survey helps fill a gap in current knowledge related to these indicators on a national scale and helps LIHWAP grant recipients learn more about how they can best assist households in their service areas.
1,822 responses were included in analyses, coming from 49 states, the District of Columbia, 12 tribally-owned utilities, and one territory. To date, this is the largest survey conducted in the country that documents rates, arrears, disconnections, and fees in one dataset. The report shows how water affordability may present through high customer debt or through low arrears and high rates of disconnection policies. The report also examines differences experienced between urban, rural, and tribal utilities. For example, the survey finds that on average, 20% of households are in debt to their water utility, and for tribal communities that increases to 32% of households. The findings within the report illustrate the financial strain experienced by utilities of all sizes and locations in covering ongoing maintenance and infrastructure costs.
Water Sector Cybersecurity Evaluation Program
EPA provides a free Water Sector Cybersecurity Evaluation Program for Water/Wastewater Systems, using a third-party contractor. This program assesses cybersecurity gaps or vulnerabilities in information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) using the EPA Cybersecurity Checklist at drinking water and wastewater systems. The program aims to enhance the cyber resilience and security of Water/Wastewater Systems across the nation. Please share the flyer for this free program with your membership and contact EPA for additional information or questions at carter.brandon@epa.gov. Interested utilities can sign up here.
CRWU Technical Assistance
EPA’s Creating Resilient Water Utilities (CRWU) initiative has continued its FY24 technical assistance to help utilities complete a climate risk assessment and adaptation planning process using the Climate Resilience Evaluation and Assessment Tool (CREAT) with additional consideration of environmental justice. CRWU’s current cohort of utilities include the City of Lewes (DE), City of Portland’s Bureau of Environmental Services (OR), Franklin Department of Public Works (MA), Buffalo Sewer Authority (NY), Monroe County (NY), Halstad Municipal Utilities (MN), East Cocalico Water and Sewer Township Authority (PA), and South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant (CA). If you would like to learn more about CRWU’s technical assistance or connect with any of these utilities about their assessment, please contact Aliza Furneaux (furneaux.aliza@epa.gov).
EPA Releases Potable Water Reuse Report
EPA’s Water Reuse Consortium has released its first Potable Water Reuse Report issue on Direct Potable Reuse. The audience for the report includes state regulators, as well as industry groups and the research community. A new issue will be released every few months. To sign up to receive Potable Water Reuse Reports, click here.
ACWA Assisting EPA Request for State Clean Water Climate Success Stories
EPA is collecting success stories, BMPs, SOPs, case studies, templates, and other examples of instances where states have successfully incorporated climate considerations, requirements, or elements into their clean water and water resource management programs. ACWA and ASDWA are assisting in the collection of these examples so that states and stakeholders may share, learn, and implement proven techniques into their own programs. EPA will post state success stories to its ARC-X website. States and territories interested in helping with this effort should contact Ward Scott for a template to submit information or for any questions. Thank you for your help with this effort.
Association Updates
2024 Water Quality Standards Workshop
Dates: April 16-18, 2024
Venue: Albuquerque Marriott Pyramid North, Albuquerque, NM
ACWA will be holding the 2024 Water Quality Standards Workshop April 16-18, 2024, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
This workshop is a national meeting for State program managers and staff involved in water quality standards, as well as for both Regional and Headquarters-based U.S. Environmental Protection Agency managers and staff. This workshop will primarily feature case studies and presentations on how states have worked towards developing water quality standards for complex criteria.
You may Register here!
View the draft agenda here.
Lodging is now available at the Albuquerque Marriott Pyramid North. ACWA has procured the local gov’t per diem rate of $141/night. Reserve your hotel room with this link. The last day to book is April 5, 2024.
2024 National CAFO Roundtable – Registration Now Live!
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)
2024 Cross-Program Workshop – Registration Now Available!
Registration: Please reach out directly to Ward Scott for the meeting registration link. Workshop registration will be limited to state and federal officials.
Dates/Venue: June 6-7, 2024 at the National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, WV
Attendees: This co-regulator workshop is organized by state and federal regulators for participation by state and federal Clean Water Act (CWA) program managers. Unless stakeholders are invited for specific sessions, we anticipate focusing attendance on state, EPA Regional, and EPA HQ personnel who manage the CWA Section 303(c), 303(d), and 402 programs. Attendees should come prepared to discuss cross-program challenges and needs, as well as ways in which cross-program coordination has been an important aspect of successful CWA program and/or restoration plan implementation.
Objective: ACWA’s Cross-Program Workshops are intended to bring together state 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 restore and protect the nation’s waters. This year’s Workshop will focus on opportunities and challenges for state administrators of CWA Section 303(c), 303(d), and 402 programs 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 towards solutions to cross-cutting water quality topics; identify ways to improve technical capabilities (e.g., data management and interpretation, and applying the outputs of one program to the other programs); highlight opportunities for cross-program co-operation, implementation, and efficiencies; clarify linkages, roles, and responsibilities among the programs; and, identify areas where technical assistance would most benefit state staff.
Meeting Venue: The Cross-Program Workshop will take place June 6-7 (Thursday morning through Friday morning), at the National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, WV. We are excited to announce that the Workshop will be run partially in conjunction with the Environmental Law Institute’s 2024 National Training Workshop on Water Quality Assessment and Plans. Cross-Program 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.
Agenda: ACWA has assembled a Workshop Planning Committee and will provide a draft agenda and additional information to ACWA Members soon.
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 cannot attend without travel support.
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
The 2024 National Stormwater Roundtable supports implementation of federal and state municipal, industrial, and construction stormwater programs nationwide by sharing best management practices, showcasing innovative federal and 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.
Meetings and Webinars
Creating Age-Friendly Communities with Green Infrastructure: How Addressing Needs of Children and Older Adults Benefits All
April 9, 2024 at 1:00pm ET
As we are experiencing unpredictable conditions intensified by climate change, discussion on who is the most vulnerable has focused on race, income and zip codes. Age, however, must also be part of the conversation because children and older adults are at a higher risk for exposure to environmental factors such as excessive heat and flooding. In this webinar we will hear about the risk factors facing those older and younger among us and how age-friendly resilience strategies that include green infrastructure can mitigate risks while strengthening a community’s social infrastructure and benefit all.
SPEAKERS:
- Danielle Arigoni, Managing Director for Policy and Solutions, National Housing Trust
- Sharon Danks, Founder and CEO of Green Schoolyards America
- Juan Mireles, Director, School Facilities and Transportation Services Division, California Department of Education
Register here: https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_4Wni4IyTRMiLLFYm5TpgTw#/registration
Financial Benefits and Flexibilities of the WIFIA Program Webinar
Date: April 9, 2024
Time: 2:00 – 3:00 PM EDT
Where: Online Teams webinar
On April 9, 2024, EPA’s Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) team will host a webinar to highlight and explain the numerous benefits and flexibilities of WIFIA financing, including long repayment terms, customized repayment schedules, and no-penalty prepayment.
Register: HERE
ECHO Biosolids Facility Searches and Reports
Date: Wednesday, April 17, 2024
Time: 3:00pm – 4:00pm est
Registration: Webinar Registration – Zoom (zoomgov.com)
Join U.S. EPA for its next Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO) webinar on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, 3:00-4:00 PM Eastern Time on ECHO Biosolids Facility Searches and Reports. This training focuses on the ECHO Facility Searches and Report under the Clean Water Act (CWA) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program area biosolids. With the implementation of the NPDES Electronic Reporting Rule (eRule), facilities in the 41 states where EPA implements the Federal Biosolids Program and three authorized states (SD, TX, UT) began submitting electronic reports. This training provides an overview of the electronic reporting of biosolids annual reports, describes the biosolids data available on EPA’s Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO), and includes a demonstration of navigating the Biosolids Facility and Annual Report search form, search results, and Biosolids Facility Report. Register at https://echo.epa.gov/help/training#upcoming to save your spot.
Very Small Water and Wastewater System Resilience CEU Program
Date: Thursday, April 18, 2024
Time: 2:00pm –3:30pm ET
Registration: Registration (gototraining.com)
EPA will provide a webinar for the Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) on the Very Small Drinking Water and Wastewater System Resilience Continuing education unit (CEU) Program, which encourages utilities that are not covered under AWIA Section 2013 to work one-on-one with a participating technical assistance provider to develop a robust Risk and Resilience Assessment (RRA) and Emergency Response Plan (ERP). Operators who completed this program could get CEU credit for their work, if allowed by their state or tribal operator certification program. Register Here
SWC Funding Webinar on Leveraging U.S. Forest Service BIL Funds for Source Water Protection
Date: April 22, 2024
Time: 1:00 – 2:30 pm ET
Register: HERE
The Source Water Collaborative is hosting its 3rd webinar as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Webinar Series on April 22, 2024 from 1:00 – 2:30 PM Eastern Time titled Leveraging U.S. Forest Service BIL Funds for Source Water Protection on Forested Lands.
Hear from U.S. Forest Service (USFS) speakers about how major funding sources like BIL can be used for forest management projects with multiple benefits: watershed protection, wildfire mitigation, protection of aquatic resources, and protection of drinking water sources. The webinar is designed for State and Tribal water and forestry programs, water utilities, source water collaboratives and watershed groups, watershed, aquatic, and wildfire staff in the ten USFS Regions and Headquarters, conservation groups, conservation districts, and other forest and water stakeholders.
PFAS Subcommittee Call – Clean Water State Revolving Fund – Emerging Contaminants FAQ
Date: April 23, 2024
Time: 2:00-3:00 ET
On April 23rd, at 2:00pm EST, ACWA’s PFAS Subcommittee will be joined by EPA for a call on the Clean Water State Revolving Fund-Emerging Contaminants (CWSRF-EC) eligibility FAQ.
“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law appropriates $1 billion over five years (FY 2022 to FY 2026) to the Clean Water State Revolving Fund specifically to address emerging contaminants, including perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in wastewater, stormwater, and nonpoint source pollution.
Answers to frequent questions to assist states in developing their application for Bipartisan Infrastructure Law capitalization grants for the CWSRF emerging contaminants funding may be found here: https://www.epa.gov/cwsrf/clean-water-state-revolving-fund-emerging-contaminants.”
To join this call, please register with this link.
DNA-Based Water Quality Monitoring Methods to Support Aquatic and Human Health
Date: April 24, 2024
Time: 2:00-3:15 ET
This is part of a free webinar series to share current research activities and results. Through innovative science and engineering, EPA’s researchers are developing cost-effective, sustainable solutions to 21st century complex water issues. The scientific results and innovative technologies developed support EPA’s mandate to protect the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of our Nation’s water resources, and to ensure safe drinking water and water systems.
You may register here.
NPDES Noncompliance Report (NNCR)
Join U.S. EPA for its next Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO) webinar series on the NPDES Noncompliance Report or NNCR.
Register at https://echo.epa.gov/help/training#upcoming to save your spot at any of the upcoming trainings.
- Quarterly NNCR (April 9, 2024, 2:00 – 3:30 pm ET)
- Annual NNCR (April 11, 2024, 2:00 – 3:30 pm ET)
- Quarterly NNCR: DMR Reporting Violations (April 16, 2024, 3:00 – 4:00 pm ET)
- Quarterly NNCR: Effluent Exceedance (April 18, 2024, 2:30 – 4:00 pm ET)
- Quarterly NNCR: Schedule Violations (April 23, 2024, 12:00 – 1:00 pm ET)
- Quarterly NNCR: Single Event/Other Violations (April 25, 2024, 12:00 – 1:00 pm ET)
If you can’t make it, don’t worry, ECHO tutorials and recorded webinars are available at any time. Feel free to forward this announcement on to anyone who might be interested.
ACWA Legal Affairs Committee Meeting – April 30, 2024
On April 30 at 2:00 pm ET, ACWA’s Legal Affairs Committee will host a meeting to discuss the recent Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals opinion in Idaho Conservation League v. Poe, in which a private party was found to have violated the CWA when he dumped suction dredge mining waste into WOTUS without a required NPDES permit. We will be joined by Bryan Hurlbutt with Advocates for the West, who represented Idaho Conservation League in the case, and will lead the discussion.
Please register for the meeting by clicking here.
For more information about Idaho Conservation League v. Poe, please click here.
EPA Infrastructure Finance Webinar: Opportunities to Advance Water Reuse – June 26, 2024
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
Seasonal Invasive Species Intern
Location: Providence, RI
Closing Date: April 7, 2024
To apply, submit a cover letter, resume, and writing sample by email to jobs@neiwpcc.org by April 7, 2024. Please reference #24-RIDEM-001 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.
Lake Champlain Education and Outreach Steward
Location: Grand Isle and Burlington, Vermont
Closing Date: April 7, 2024
To apply, send a cover letter, resume, and writing sample by email to Jobs@neiwpcc.org by April 7, 2024. Please reference #24-LCBP-004 in the email subject line. A full position description may be viewed at: https://neiwpcc.org/about-us/careers.
Environmental Analyst – Long Island Sound Habitat Restoration Coordinator
Location: Kings Park, NY
Closing Date: April 7, 2024
To apply, submit cover letter, resume, and a brief writing sample by email to jobs@neiwpcc.org by April 7, 2024. Please reference #24-LISS-004 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.
Real Property Coordinator – Long Island Conservation
Location: Stony Brook, NY
Closing Date: April 7, 2024
To apply, submit cover letter, resume, and a brief writing sample by email to jobs@neiwpcc.org by April 7, 2024. Please reference #24-LISS-005 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.
Water Supply Planner
Location: Richmond, VA
Closing date: April 9, 2024
For more information and to apply, click here.
Program Analyst / State Revolving Fund programs
Location: Washington, DC
Closing Date: April 10, 2024
For more information and to apply, click here.
Program Manager – Drinking Water Source Protection Program
Location: Albany, NY
Closing Date: April 14, 2024
To apply, submit cover letter, resume, and a brief writing sample by email to jobs@neiwpcc.org by April 14, 2024. Please reference #24-NYS-SW-DOH-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.
Information Officer – Resource Room Coordinator
Location: Burlington & Grand Isle, VT
Closing Date: April 21, 2024
To apply, submit your cover letter and resume by email to jobs@neiwpcc.org by April 21, 2024. Please reference #24-LCBP-005 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.
Assistant Environmental Analyst – Hudson River Stewardship
Location: Staatsburg, NY
Closing Date: April 21, 2024
To apply, submit a cover letter, resume, and a brief writing sample by email to jobs@neiwpcc.org by April 21, 2024. Please reference #24-HRNERR-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 Permit Specialist III
Location: Austin, TX
Closing Date: Continuous
For more information and to apply, click here.
Construction Stormwater Program Coordinator
Location: Salt Lake County, UT
Closing Date: Open Until Filled
The Utah Division of Water Quality Construction Stormwater Program Coordinator oversees Utah’s more than 5,000 construction stormwater UPDES permits. You will serve as the state’s technical and policy expert on construtcion stormwater permitting by preparing permits, inspecting sites, and providing technical assistance and outreach to stormwater permittees.
For more information and to apply online click here.
Policy Support Planner
Location: Multiple Locations Statewide, WA
Closing Date: Continuous
The Water Resources (WR) program within the Department of Ecology is looking to fill a Policy Support Planner (Environmental Planner 4) position. This position can be located in any of the following locations:
Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA.
Northwest Region Office (NWRO) in Shoreline, WA.
Central Region Office (CRO) in Union Gap, WA.
Eastern Region Office (ERO) in Spokane, WA.
For more information and to apply, visit State of Washington Job Opportunities.
Senior General Permits Manager
Location: Spokane, WA
Closing Date: Continuous
For more information and to apply, visit State of Washington Job Opportunities.
General Permit Coordinator
Location: Thurston County – Lacey, WA
Closing Date: Continuous
For more information and to apply, visit State of Washington Job Opportunities.
Lead Permit Developer/Facility Manager
(Environmental Specialist 4)
Location: Yakima County – Union Gap, WA
Closing Date: Continuous
For more information and to apply, visit State of Washington Job Opportunities.
Lead Permit Developer/Facility Manager
Location: Yakima County – Union Gap, WA
Closing Date: Continuous
For more information and to apply, visit State of Washington Job Opportunities.
Hydrogeologist 2
Location: Spokane, WA
Closing Date: Continuous
For more information and to apply, visit State of Washington Job Opportunities.
Be sure to check out other opportunities on ACWA’s Job Opportunities page.
