News
EPA’s FY 2025-26 Draft National Program Guidances: Comment Period Extended
EPA is providing a two-week extension to the public comment period for the FY 2025-2026 National Program Guidances. The public comment period will now conclude on June 18.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Publishes Rule on Pre-Harvest Agricultural Water
This FDA rule replaces the previous pre-harvest water microbial quality criteria and testing requirements for covered produce (other than sprouts) with requirements for systems-based, pre-harvest agricultural water assessments for hazard identification and risk management decision-making. These requirements apply to all sources of water (including treated reuse and similar sources of agricultural water), as long as the crop being grown is covered by the Produce Safety Rule and is grown using covered activities.
Biden-Harris Administration Seeks Input on Groundwater Challenges
The President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology is collecting public input to address questions related to total groundwater use, storage and recharge to support the development of a report that will advance government-wide action. They have requested input on several areas related to groundwater, including strategies to limit groundwater overuse and ways to efficiently scale groundwater recharge. Please send written submissions to pcast@ostp.eop.gov by July 1 with “Groundwater” in the subject line.
$41 Million in Available Grants to Upgrade Stormwater and Sewer Infrastructure
$41 million in new funding is available through the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program to help communities address stormwater and sewer infrastructure needs. The EPA’s grant funding is available to states to support projects in cities and towns that will make their stormwater collection systems more resilient against increasingly intense rain events, which are made worse by the climate crisis.
Cyber Security Resources
- Top Cyber Actions for Securing Water Systems Fact Sheet: This fact sheet highlights the top cyber actions that water systems can take today to reduce cyber risk and improve resilience to cyberattacks. It also provides free services, resources, and tools to support these actions, which can be taken concurrently. View the Fact Sheet Here
- Water Sector Cybersecurity Case Study: This case study, entitled: “Take Charge and Take Advantage,” highlights a medium-sized utility and the actions it took to increase its cyber resilience through cultural change and staff awareness. Read the Case Study Here
- Cybersecurity Helpdesk for the Water Sector: Need help answering questions about cybersecurity? Do you want to speak with a subject-matter expert? Submit your questions to WICRD’s free Cybersecurity Technical Assistance Program for the Water Sector. Water systems, primacy agencies, and technical assistance providers can submit questions and request direct consultation to help address your cybersecurity questions. Request Technical Assistance Here
- Water Sector Cybersecurity Evaluation Program: WICRD’s Water Sector Cybersecurity Evaluation is a free program that provides direct access to a cybersecurity professional who can conduct a virtual cybersecurity assessment. Staff can guide you through the assessment process and answer any questions you may have. Request a Cybersecurity Assessment Here
EPA Announces Federal Facility Excellence in Reuse
This week EPA announced award winners of the seventh annual National Federal Facility Excellence in Site Reuse. EPA established the awards to recognize the teams who have supported the reuse and restoration of Federal Facility sites through outstanding efforts. Their work clearly demonstrates that creating strong partnerships with a collaborative vision shared by the community, other federal agencies, tribes, states, territories, and local partners to address contaminated property in a way that aligns with the needs of the surrounding community and leads to successful outcomes for neighborhood revitalization and the environment. The award is divided into three categories: National Priorities List sites, Non-National Priorities List sites and Base Realignment and Closure sites. The 2024 Federal Facility Excellence in Site Reuse winners are:
- Oak Ridge Reservation, Tennessee – this reservation, a former federal uranium enrichment operation using gaseous diffusion, operated until 1985 as part of the U.S. nuclear weapons program.
- Former Norton Air Force Base, California – what was once Norton Air Force Base is now San Bernardino International Airport. Companies on site include Amazon, Kohl’s, Mattel, UPS, FedEx, Stater Brothers complex, and Pep Boys.
- Tuba City Disposal Site, Arizona – this site is leased from the Navajo Nation and located a mile from the Hopi Reservation. The site operated as a uranium mill from 1956 to 1966, contaminating approximately 300 acres of the Arizona desert.
More details on the winners can be found here: National Federal Facility Excellence in Site Reuse Awards
Association Updates
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 10th, 2024
- Include your name and the location of the photograph
Thank you!
Save the Date: 2024 Water Quality Modeling Workshop
Dates: September 16 – 20, 2024
City: Philadelphia, PA
ACWA, in partnership with USEPA, will be holding the 2024 Water Quality Modeling Workshop in Philadelphia, PA, the week of September 16, 2024. The 2024 Water Quality Modeling Workshop supports implementation of state programs by continuing to build a community of practice among state agency staff who use or want to use water quality modeling in state water quality programs.
This year we will be offering hands-on trainings on WASP, SWAT+, and a Modeling 201: Demystifying your Modeling Project course which will feature presentations, case studies, and discussions.
This workshop is for state program managers and staff involved in water quality modeling, as well as for both Regional and Headquarters-based U.S. Environmental Protection Agency managers and staff.
Lodging is available at the Sonesta Philadelphia Rittenhouse Square at the local per diem rate. The workshop will also take place in the hotel’s event space. You may Reserve your hotel room here.
ACWA does anticipate having some travel support for airfare and lodging.
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.
Meetings and Webinars
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
Basin Specialist (Natural Resource Specialist 3)
Location: Coos Bay or Eugene, Oregon (finalist may choose work location)
Closing Date: June 4, 2024
For more information and to apply, click here.
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 Analyst – Technical Assistance Provider
Location: Augusta, ME
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-DHHS-DWP-002 in the email subject line. A full position description may be viewed at: https://neiwpcc.org/about-us/careers.
Environmental Specialist IV, Maine Healthy Beaches Program Coordinator (Position 1900)
Location: Portland, ME
Closing Date: June 10, 2024
For more information and to apply, click here.
Process and Data Analyst – ITS3
Location: St. Paul, MN
Closing Date: June 16, 2024
For more information and to apply, click here.
Water Quality Nonpoint Source Specialist (Program Analyst 2)
Location: Portland, OR
Closing Date: June 19, 2024
For more information and to apply, click here.
Nonpoint Source Coordinator – Water Quality Bureau
Location: Des Moines, IA
Closing Date: June 20, 2024
For more information and to apply, click here.
Water Quality Permitting Manager (Natural Resource Protection and Sustainability Manager 2)
Location: Portland, OR
Closing Date: June 23, 2024
For more information and to apply, click here.
Environmental Engineer, PE
Location: Albany, NY
Closing Date: July 7, 2024
To apply, submit your cover letter and resume by email to jobs@neiwpcc.org. Please reference #24-NY-IEM-001 in the email subject line. Application deadline is July 7, 2024. 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 Engineer, EIT
Location: Albany, NY
Closing Date: July 7, 2024
To apply, submit your cover letter and resume by email to jobs@neiwpcc.org. Please reference #24-NY-IEM-002 in the email subject line. The application deadline is July 7, 2024. Accepting applications until the position is filled. A full position description and benefits listing may be viewed at: https://neiwpcc.org/about-us/careers.
Washington Conservation Corps (WCC) Secretary (Secretary Senior)
Location: Multiple Locations Statewide, WA
Closing Date: Continuous
For more information and to apply, click here.
Permit Developer and Facility Manager (Environmental Specialist 3)
Location: Yakima County – Union Gap, 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.
