News
Proposed Water System Restructuring Assessment Rule (WSRAR) Listening Sessions
EPA will be hosting two listening sessions on July 17th and 24th, 2024, to provide interested parties the opportunity to comment on the Proposed Water System Restructuring Assessment Rule (WSRAR). The proposed WSRAR outlines a framework for states, public water systems, and the communities they serve to evaluate options for restructuring to help ensure safe, reliable drinking water. Water system restructuring may include operational changes, upgrades to or replacement of water system infrastructure, interconnection with another system, consolidation, or transfer of ownership.
The listening sessions will be from 1:00 to 3:00 PM ET to allow for maximum public participation and engagement during the public comment period. Each listening session will include the same material and is open to all interested parties who wish to attend. Participants who wish to speak or provide comments for up two minutes during the listening session are required to register ahead of time.
Click to register for the July 17, 2024 Session
Click to register for the July 24, 2024 Session
For more information: https://www.epa.gov/dwcapacity/water-system-restructuring-assessment-rule
EPA Announces 2024-2027 Climate Adaptation Plan
On June 20, EPA released its 2024-2027 Climate Adaptation Plan, which describes agency actions to address the impacts of climate change and help build a more climate-resilient nation. The plan expands the agency’s efforts to ensure its programs, facilities, workforce and operations are increasingly resilient to climate change impacts. EPA plays a central role in the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to tackle the climate crisis and build a climate-resilient nation.
The plan builds on work initiated in the 2014 and 2021 EPA Climate Adaptation Plans to incorporate climate adaptation into the agency’s programs, policies, rules, enforcement activities and operations. Highlights from the plan include priority actions EPA is taking to:
- Foster a climate-ready workforce
- Build facility resilience
- Develop climate-resilient supply chains
- Integrate climate resilience into external funding opportunities
- Apply climate data and tools into decision-making
- Integrate climate adaption into rulemaking processes
District Court Judge Supports Current WOTUS Rule
On June 18, 2024, a federal District Court judge rejected a plaintiff’s motion for a preliminary injunction that may have suspended the WOTUS rule nationwide, holding the plaintiff failed to show a “likelihood of success on the merits” (Robert White v. EPA, et al., U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina). The judge noted that no lower courts have read Sackett to require a wetland have both a continuous surface connection to a jurisdictional water and be practically indistinguishable in order to be “adjacent.” Despite supporting many of EPA’s arguments on the merits, the judge also rejects the government’s request to have the case dismissed entirely. While this decision was on motions for summary judgement, which are intended to get to the finish line in a hurry, and the case may yet continue to proceed at its normal pace, the judge does go on to say in the decision he believes the “Amended Rule faithfully conforms to the definition of “waters of the United States” as interpreted by Sacket.”
Association Updates
2024 Annual Meeting – Draft Agenda Now Available!
View the draft agenda here.
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.
2024 Water Quality Modeling Workshop – Registration Now Open!
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.
You may register for the workshop here.
To register, you will need access to ACWA’s member portal. If you are EPA staff, please reach out Lexy Bailey (abailey@acwa-us.org) for help getting set up. This workshop has 3 distinct tracks – including two hands-on trainings. Hands on trainings will be offered for WASP and SWAT+. A third track – Modeling 201 – will feature some hands-on work along with lectures and discussions.
Space is limited, so once you register, you will automatically be placed on the wait list. You will receive a confirmation email at a later date. This is to ensure an equal opportunity for some states that may need a few weeks to ensure they are able to participate.
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 Briefing for States: CWA Sec. 319 Guidance Update
Date: June 25, 2024
Time: 1:00 pm ET
Register: Here
On Tuesday, June 25 at 1:00 pm ET, ACWA will host a virtual briefing for state clean water regulators from EPA’s Nonpoint Source Management Branch regarding recent agency efforts to update CWA Section 319 Grant Guidance. Please note that participation in the briefing will be limited to state and federal clean water regulators.
ACWA and EPA will also host second meeting, covering the same material, on July 9 if this day/time does not work for you. Additionally, EPA will host office hours for states on the new guidance in the fall of 2024. Click here to learn more EPA’s CWA Section 319 Guidance Update efforts, generally.
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
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.
Human Health Risk Assessor
Location: Various locations, MN
Closing Date: July 1, 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.
Onsite Program Specialist (Natural Resource Specialist 3 – Environmental Health Specialist)
Location: Coos Bay, Oregon
Closing Date: July 10, 2024
For more information and to apply, click here.
Soil Scientist (Natural Resource Specialist 4)
Location: Bend, Pendleton, or The Dalles, Oregon (finalist may choose work location)
Closing Date: July 11, 2024
For more information and to apply, click here.
Chemical of Emerging Concern Coordinator
Location: Thurston County- Lacey, WA
Closing Date: Continuous
For more information and to apply, click here.
Municipal Facility Management Engineer
Location: King County – Shoreline, 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.
