Association of Clean Water Administrators

The Voice of States & Interstates since 1961

Home > News and Updates > Weekly Wrap > ACWA Weekly Wrap Vol. XV, Issue 27 (Week of August 12, 2024)     

ACWA Weekly Wrap Vol. XV, Issue 27 (Week of August 12, 2024)     

Posted:

News

EPA Marks Two-Year Milestones in Chesapeake Bay Cleanup

This week EPA published reports on the progress towards meeting the 2022-2023 milestones and the final 2024-2025 milestone commitments for the Chesapeake Bay states and the district: Delaware, D.C., Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia. The Chesapeake Bay Program partnership is committed to have all practices and controls in place by 2025 to achieve applicable water quality standards for dissolved oxygen, water clarity/submerged aquatic vegetation, and chlorophyll-a. Watershed-wide, the partnership continues to make incremental progress toward the 2025 Goals and has already implemented practices “to achieve 100% of the targeted sediment reductions, and practices are in place to achieve 57% of the nitrogen reductions and 67% of the phosphorus reductions.” More details on the individual reports can be found below.

EPA OIG Report: State Program Deficiencies and Inadequate EPA Oversight of State Enforcement Contributed to the Drinking Water Crisis in Jackson, Mississippi

This week the OIG published a report indicating Mississippi “did not consistently enforce the Safe Drinking Water Act or provide adequate oversight for the Jackson public water system.” The report specifically identifies implementation procedures for its compliance and enforcement program. The report notes that in February 2020 EPA did an on-site system inspection which lead to an enforcement action. Jackson continued to experience challenges which lead to boil water notices in February 2021 for several weeks and in August 2022, which led to 150,000 residents being without water. In August 2022, the EPA referred Jackson to the U.S. Department of Justice, which filed a civil complaint that led to the appointment of an interim third-party manager to operate, maintain, manage, and control the city’s drinking water system.  The OIG also made seven recommendations, which EPA agreed with:

  • Assess the Mississippi sanitary survey program to verify appropriate rules, mechanisms, and authorities to ensure public water systems take necessary steps to address significant deficiencies.
  • Develop a methodology to verify the adequacy of sanitary surveys conducted for public water systems.
  • Update the EPA’s guidance documents to include a sanitary survey checklist and a process for states to alert the EPA of public water systems with systemic issues.
  • Verify that the Mississippi has procedures to ensure that water systems report compliance monitoring data to the state and include that laboratory has appropriate procedures in place.
  • Train Mississippi staff on using and entering data into SDWIS.
  • Evaluate whether the Mississippi is implementing procedures for the enforcement and evaluate state primacy for the program.
  • Develop guidance on addressing public health in an emergency situation.

EPA Announces New Oil and Gas Wastewater Management Study

EPA will be doing a study on wastewater discharges from onshore oil and gas extraction activities under the agricultural and wildlife water use subcategory. EPA regulates wastewater discharges from industrial categories though technology-based effluent guidelines and oil and gas extraction wastewater activities are currently regulated at 40 CFR Part 435. These facilities are engaged in the production, drilling, well completion, and well treatment. The new study is specifically looking at Subpart E, which allows discharges of wastewater from onshore facilities (west of the 98th meridian) if the discharge has a use in agriculture or wildlife propagation when discharged into navigable waters. Many changes have occurred in that industry since 1979 (the last time Subpart E was updated), and this study will evaluate whether there are affordable and available technologies to treat these discharges in order to reduce pollution discharged to navigable waters. The EPA will be engaging with stakeholders to learn more about this industry. For more see details:  Oil and Gas Extraction Effluent Guidelines | US EPA

Association Updates

ACWA’s 2024 Annual Report

ACWA’s 2024 Annual Report is now available, offering a comprehensive overview of ACWA’s recent activities and achievements. This year’s report outlines key committee and workgroup activities, provides summaries of significant meetings, and reviews the progress made toward our strategic plan. Additionally, the report features information about our dedicated members and affiliates, along with general details about ACWA’s mission and initiatives. It also includes a fiscal snapshot, highlighting the financial health of the organization. The report reflects our commitment to transparency and ongoing improvement, ensuring all members are informed and engaged. You may view the annual report here.

Notice – No Wrap The Week of August 19th

During the week of our 63rd Annual Meeting, ACWA will not publish a Weekly Wrap. Look out for our next issue the week of August 26th.

2024 Annual Meeting – Virtual Registration Option Added!

View the agenda here.

This year ACWA is again providing virtual access to the 2024 Annual Meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana, August 21 – 23, 2024. Similar to the in-person event only State/Interstate/Territory/EPA regulators and invited guests are permitted to participate virtually. Below please find a link to the Virtual Meeting Agenda. All sessions listed are available for streaming access. Questions during the sessions may be submitted through the “Chat” function and ACWA will do its best to incorporate into the sessions as appropriate and time permits. Virtual participants are encouraged to secure a State/EPA conference room and invite your peers to participate in the different sessions to receive the greatest value for the $125.00 virtual registration fee. However, ACWA does permit individual virtual participant registrations if that is needed/preferred. A link to the virtual registration page can be found below. Please note, on Friday, August 16, 2024 ACWA staff will send out the webinar links to all folks that are currently registered for virtual access.

View the Virtual Agenda Here

Register here!
If you or the person you are registering already has an account with Member365, please use that login information to complete your registration. If you are unsure whether or not you have an account, or need assistance accessing your existing account, please contact Lexy Bailey. 

More information can be found here on ACWA’s website.

Meetings and Webinars

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.

For those registering virtually, please use this link. Virtual registration is live!!

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.

Upcoming Webinar: Realizing the Untapped Potential for Stormwater Capture and Reuse Across the U.S.

On Aug. 22, from 3:00 – 4:15 pm ET, the WateReuse Association will co-host a webinar, Realizing the Untapped Potential for Stormwater Capture and Reuse Across the U.S. The webinar – to be held in collaboration with the Pacific Institute and the National Municipal Stormwater Alliance – will cover the national landscape of potential opportunities to advance stormwater capture and use. Panelists will discuss the importance of advancing stormwater resilience, the national stormwater runoff potential, and the permitting and funding processes. The webinar will conclude with recommendations from expert presenters and will offer time at the end for audience questions. Please click here to register for the webinar.

RNPN August Resilience Exchange: Managing Multi-Hazard Risks

On Aug. 28, at 1:00 pm ET, the Resilient Nation Partnership Network will host its August Resilience Exchange: Managing Multi-Hazard Risks. RNPN will discuss how various weather-related hazards – including hurricanes, floods, extreme heat, drought, wildfires, and others – pose significant challenges to communities and will outline the strategies needed to build climate resilience. The event is part of RNPN’s Resilience Exchange series, which offers monthly learning sessions on a specific subject to share knowledge and advance conversations around a particular area of natural hazard resilience. The events are open to all. Please click here to register.

Job Opportunities

Training and Exercise Coordinator

Location: St. Paul, MN
Closing Date: August 28, 2024

For more information and to apply, visit Minnesota Careers webpage.

Environmental Engineer, PE

Location: Albany, NY
Closing Date: September 2, 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 September 2, 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.

Senior Permit Manager/Lead Wastewater Treatment Inspector

Location: Spokane, WA
Closing Date: Continuous

For more information and to apply, visit Ecology Job Opportunities.

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.