News
EPA Releases User Guide for Adopting Water Quality Criteria for Secondary Contact Recreation
This week, EPA published a new document online, Adopting Water Quality Criteria for Secondary Contact Recreation: A User Guide. This user guide will help states and authorized Tribes seeking to develop and adopt scientifically defensible water quality standards to protect human health when waters are designated for secondary contact recreation.
In 2022, the EPA published a scientific white paper that describes a method to adjust the agency’s recommended recreational water quality criteria for primary contact recreation to develop criteria that protect secondary contact recreation. The new user guide explains the underlying rationale and scientific basis of this methodology and provides clear instructions on how to calculate criteria values that includes specific examples. The water quality criteria developed with this methodology will protect human health at the same level as the EPA’s 2012 recommended water quality criteria for the protection of primary contact recreation.
View the new user guide and additional information about recreational criteria here.
GAO Report: Cybersecurity Risks to Water and Wastewater Systems
The United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently released a report titled CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROTECTION – EPA Urgently Needs a Strategy to Address Cybersecurity Risks to Water and Wastewater Systems. Recent cyber incidents highlight the vulnerability of the 170,000 water and wastewater systems in the U.S. water sector. GAO was asked to review cybersecurity threats facing the water sector and the federal government’s efforts to address these threats. This report (1) describes cybersecurity risks and incidents; (2) examines actions by selected federal and nonfederal entities to improve cybersecurity; and (3) evaluates EPA’s actions to address known risks. GAO provides four recommendations:
1. EPA should further assess sector risk.
2. EPA should develop and implement a national cybersecurity strategy.
3. EPA should evaluate the sufficiency of its legal authorities to carry out its cybersecurity responsibilities.
4. EPA should seek additional authority as necessary.
EPA, CISA, and other entities have acted to improve water sector cybersecurity but have also reported challenges such as workforce skills gaps and older technologies that are difficult to update with cybersecurity protections. Further, the water and wastewater sector has made limited investments in cybersecurity protections because water systems prioritize funding to meet regulatory requirements for clean and safe water, while improving cybersecurity is voluntary. In July 2024, EPA officials said they had evaluated their authorities and would release the evaluation in 2025 with their risk assessment and strategy.
EPA Releases UMCR 5 Data
EPA released the fifth set of national drinking water data collected under the fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 5) for 29 PFAS and lithium. In the latest action to deliver on EPA’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap, UCMR 5 will provide new data that will improve the EPA’s understanding of the frequency and how much of the 29 PFAS and lithium are found in the nation’s drinking water systems. The UCMR 5 data for 29 PFAS will also enable a better understanding of where and to what extent different PFAS co-occur with each other in drinking water.
The monitoring data for 29 PFAS and lithium will help the agency make science-based determinations about future actions to protect public health under the Safe Drinking Water Act. It will also show if communities are disproportionately impacted by these contaminants. The fifth quarterly release includes all results received for UCMR 5 since the start of monitoring through July 11, 2024. The data released to date now represent approximately 46% of the total results the EPA expects to receive by completion of data reporting in 2026. With the normal lag between sample collection, analysis, and reporting, the data represent approximately 5 (of 12) quarters of monitoring results (i.e., Q1 2023 through Q1 2024). The fifth quarterly release includes approximately 948,000 sample results for 6,553 public water systems. The EPA will continue to update the results quarterly in the UCMR 5 Data Finder, UCMR 5 Data Summary, and Occurrence Data Files. The Data Finder, Data Summary, and UCMR 5 Q&A also reflect that six of the 29 PFAS for which monitoring data are being collected are part of the EPA’s final PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR). The EPA continues to conduct research and monitor advances in techniques that may improve our ability to measure these and other contaminants at even lower levels.
UCMR 5 fifth quarterly data release includes updates to:
- UCMR 5 Data Finder – Allows the public, along with federal, state, and local agencies, to easily locate, summarize, and download specific UCMR 5 results. Results can be filtered by multiple fields. Selected results can be viewed online or downloaded as an Excel (.xlsx) spreadsheet. A video demo is available. Please use (and encourage your states) to use this tool for accessing the publicly available results.
- Occurrence Data Text Files – Recommended for those interested in large-scale data processing using statistical or data analysis software. These files contain analytical results and the additional data element and ZIP Code information reported by participating public water systems.
- Instructions for Accessing UCMR Results – Step-by-step instructions, tips, and data considerations for using the UCMR Data Finders and Occurrence Data Text Files.
- UCMR 5 Data Summary – National summary statistics by contaminant, health effects information, data considerations, and data definitions for the UCMR 5 Data Finder and Occurrence Data Text Files.
- UCMR 5 Website QA – Answers to common questions on accessing and understanding the UCMR 5 data, and on PFAS and lithium in drinking water.
LCRR Templates
EPA is providing additional resources to support water systems, as well as state and other primacy agencies in advance of the 2021 Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) compliance date (October 16, 2024). EPA is proactively working with stakeholders to address the health hazards of lead exposure and ensure water systems have the tools needed to notify the public and protect public health. The LCRR requires that all community water systems and non-transient non-community water systems submit notification to all persons served at the service connection with a lead, galvanized requiring replacement (GRR), or lead status unknown service lines. EPA is providing templates that water systems can use to develop these notifications. The fact sheet summarizes the EPA’s requirements for notification to persons served of known or potential lead service lines required under the 2021 Lead and Copper Rule Revisions. Both are available on their website: [LCRR Implementation Tools]
Association Updates
2024 Annual Meeting – Registration Ending on August 5th!
View the draft agenda here.
Reserve Your Lodging at Renaissance New Orleans Pere Marquette French Quarter Area. The block is filling quickly and the room rate is not guaranteed after August 5th, 2024.
Register here. Registration will end on August 5th, 2024. Please reach out to Lexy Bailey, Environmental Analyst, 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.
Draft agendas are available here.
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.
2024 National Stormwater Roundtable – Registration Now Open!
Dates: October 22 – 24, 2024
City: Washington, DC
Meeting Space: EPA HQ Meeting Space
Hotel: Grand Hyatt Washington
Website: 2024 National Stormwater Roundtable
In-person registration is live!! Please note you will be asked to select between Municipal, Industrial, and Construction Stormwater tracks for 1/2 day. Virtual attendees will be provided a separate registration process in the coming weeks.
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
ACWA to Host EPA Online Briefing on Nutrient Dialogue Story Map
On August 8, at 3:00 pm ET, ACWA will host a briefing for states from EPA during which EPA officials will present a summary of EPA’s new Nutrient Dialogue Story Map that will serve to summarize and highlight state nutrient reduction efforts.
Please register for the briefing by clicking here. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Please reach out to Ward Scott with any questions.
How to Participate in Clean Water Act Permits to Protect Drinking Water Sources
Date: August 5, 2024
Time: 2:00 pm ET
Register: HERE
The Source Water Collaborative is hosting a webinar on August 5th at 2:00pm ET about a new tool – Using Clean Water Act Discharge Permits to Protect Drinking Water Sources – a guide to engaging in the water pollution discharge permitting process. The guide is designed to help drinking water utilities, local government entities, non-governmental organizations, and other stakeholders understand and provide meaningful comments on Clean Water Act (CWA) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits for facilities that discharge PFAS chemicals and other pollutants that impact drinking water sources.
Job Opportunities
Hydrologist 3
Location: Duluth, Brainerd, Detroit Lakes, St. Paul, Rochester, Mankato, Marshall, MN
Closing Date: August 7, 2024
Job ID # 78537
For more information and to apply, click here.
Engineer Principal
Location: Duluth, Brainerd, Detroit Lakes, St. Paul, Rochester, Mankato, Marshall, MN
Closing Date: August 7, 2024
For more information and to apply, click here.
Hydrologist
Location: Duluth, Brainerd, Detroit Lakes, St. Paul, Rochester, Mankato, Marshall, MN
Closing Date: August 8, 2024
For more information and to apply, click here.
Environmental Protection Assistant Division Director
Location: Hartford, CT
Closing Date: August 8, 2024
The State of Connecticut, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), is seeking an exceptional individual to join us as an Environmental Protection Assistant Division Director for the Water Permitting & Enforcement Division (WPED). In this role, you will play a key part in our mission to protect Connecticut’s public health, safety, water resources, and the environment from pollution. As the Assistant Division Director, you will provide managerial support and direction to a team of dedicated professionals working on water pollution control programs.
For more information and to apply, visit State of Connecticut Jobs.
Engineer
Location: St. Paul, Mankato, Rochester, Brainerd, Duluth, MN
Closing Date: August 15, 2024
For more information and to apply, click here.
Large-scale Project TMDL Lead (Environmental Specialist 5)
Location: Thurston County- Lacey, WA
Closing Date: Continuous
For more information and to apply, click here.
Environmental Science Specialist 2-4
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Closing Date: Open Until Filled
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.
Reclaimed Water Engineer (Environmental Engineer 5)
Location: Spokane, WA
Closing Date: Continuous
For more information and to apply, click here.
Shoreland, Wetland, Aquatic Resource Specialist (Environmental Specialist 4)
Location: Yakima County – Union Gap, WA
Closing Date: Continuous
For more information and to apply, click here.
Natural Resources Analyst (Nonpoint Source Program)
Location: Various Locations, WY
Closing Date: Continuous
For more information and to apply, click here.
Ecosystem Restoration Unit Supervisor (WMS Band 1)
Location: Thurston County – Lacey, WA
Closing Date: Continuous
For more information and to apply, click here.
Hydrogeologist/Permit Manager (Hydrogeologist 2)
Location: Yakima County – Union Gap, WA
Closing Date: Continuous
For more information and to apply, click here.
Large-scale Project TMDL Lead (Environmental Specialist 5)
Location: Thurston County – Lacey, WA
Closing Date: Continuous
For more information and to apply, click here.
Regional Wetlands/Shorelands Specialist (Environmental Specialist 4)
Location: Multiple Locations – Western Washington, 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.
