News
Funding Now Available for Water Infrastructure Projects Under WIFIA Program
EPA recently announced the availability of $7.5 billion in Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program funding. This is the eighth round of funding available – with $6.5 billion available through WIFIA and $1 billion available through SWIFIA, which is a loan program exclusively for State infrastructure financing authority borrowers. EPA is currently accepting letters of interest for WIFIA and SWIFIA loans.
The WIFIA program offers the ability to combine multiple projects into a single loan and flexibilities that include interest rate resets, debt sculpting, and fast disbursements. This year, the WIFIA program will prioritize funding for projects that invest in economically stressed communities, make rapid progress on lead service line replacement, address PFAS and emerging contaminants, strengthen climate resilience, and support water innovation and resilience.
States, cities, tribes, utilities, and other public and private entities that are interested in applying can submit a letter of interest at any time to be considered for loan application. The WIFIA program provides helpful resources online for submitting a successful letter of interest including a checklist, webinars, and sample letter of interest materials.
To view the full Notices of Funding Availability, visit the program’s website at www.epa.gov/wifia for informational materials and registration for upcoming webinars, or send an email to the program at wifia@epa.gov.
Waters of the United States Implementation Post-Sackett Decision: Experiences and Perspectives
A recent hearing by the U.S. House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment discussed the implementation and implications of the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) regulations following last year’s U.S. Supreme Court 2023 decision in Sackett v. EPA. The hearing brought a range of concerns from stakeholders regarding the decision’s implications for water regulation, environmental protection, and regulatory clarity. Despite a clear ruling from the Court, distinct challenges continue to surround the ruling and the latest definition of a WOTUS. The Sackett decision has introduced uncertainty into water regulation, impacting stakeholders. Diverse perspectives were shared during the hearing, highlighting the challenges of navigating regulatory authorities, permitting, and funding. Stakeholders agree there is a need for clarity across guidelines and consistent regulatory practices and the need for a balance between federal oversight and state authority in regulating the nation’s water resources.
The hearing included testimony from the following witnesses:
- Ms. Emma Pokon, Commissioner, Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation | Witness Testimony
- Ms. Nicole Rowan, Director, Water Quality Control Division, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment | Witness Testimony
- Ms. Courtney Briggs, Chairman, Waters Advocacy Coalition, on behalf of the American Farm Bureau Federation | Witness Testimony
- Mr. Vincent E. Messerly, P.E., President, Stream and Wetlands Foundation, on behalf of the National Association of Home Builders | Witness Testimony
View the archive of the hearing here.
EPA Searchable Clearinghouse of Wastewater Technology Website
EPA has launched an interactive web dashboard based on data from the National Study of Nutrient Removal and Secondary Technologies. Hosted on the Searchable Clearinghouse of Wastewater Technology (SCOWT) website, the dashboard quantifies results from a voluntary online questionnaire from publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) with different types of biological treatment, including both conventional and advanced treatment technologies. One of the most encouraging findings from the questionnaire demonstrated that improved nutrient removal is attainable by all types of POTWs through process modifications or upgrades. The questionnaire was issued to 16,500 POTWs across the United States, and more than 2,200 responses were collected between 2019 and 2021. SCOWT users can view nutrient data for various types of POTWs, including effluent ammonia, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus, as well as filter results by EPA Region, state, territory, daily flow, design flow, and biological treatment. SCOWT also serves as a hub to assist communities in making informed decisions about wastewater solutions. The website provides resources on the cost-effectiveness and performance of wastewater technologies and fills a critical information gap for small, midsize and decentralized communities. Communities searching for ways to fund possible technologies will also find a technical assistance provider map in SCOWT.
EPA Releases Information on Systematic Review of Ecological Toxicity Data
This week, EPA posted its existing Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and Data Evaluation Records (DERs) for systematic review of ecological toxicity data for aquatic life and aquatic-dependent wildlife. The open literature (or publicly available) SOP and DERs provide information on Office of Water’s systematic review of ecological effect toxicity studies used in the development of aquatic life Ambient Water Quality Criteria (AWQC), aquatic life benchmarks, and screening values for the protection of aquatic life and aquatic-dependent wildlife.
You can visit EPA’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and Data Evaluation Records (DERs) for systematic review of ecological toxicity data.
Interagency Report on Water Workforce
This week EPA released the 2024 Interagency Water Workforce Working Group Report to Congress, a report developed in collaboration with the United States Departments of Agriculture, Education, Labor, and Veterans Affairs. The report summarizes major challenges identified through a workforce literature review and various engagements with water stakeholders. The report also highlights Federal and water sector efforts and programs that are starting to address these workforce challenges. Consistent with the legislative direction provided by Congress, this report also seeks to inform decision makers about the opportunities to address workforce challenges. The report discusses a framework which outlines recruitment, training, retention, and partnership strategies that are essential to building the nation’s workforce. These “pillars” provide an essential workforce development framework that can help utilities and communities identify the approaches that best address their specific needs and circumstances. This report also includes a series of examples on what these opportunities look like when they are implemented locally by utilities, as well as the communities and organizations that support the utilities’ needs and the needs of the people they serve.
- Recruitment: Promoting awareness and value of water workforce careers can provide opportunities for improving recruitment.
- Training: Collaborations between Federal agencies, states, and the water sector can create opportunities to scale workforce development efforts nationally.
- Retention: Utilities can improve retention by working to address specific needs (e.g., upward career movement, competitive salaries, or wrap-around supportive services such as transportation, accessible technology, housing, or childcare subsidies).
- Partnership: Collaboration between utilities and various partners such as community colleges, training organizations, and other water sector organizations is critical for.
More details can be found in the report at: 2024 Interagency Water Workforce Working Group Report to Congress | US EPA
EPA Launches New Website to Support the Development of Climate-Resilient Projects
On Sept. 11, EPA announced the launch of a new website, the Climate Resilience and Adaptation Funding Toolbox (CRAFT), a user-friendly resource for technical assistance providers working with federal funding applicants and recipients to develop, apply for and implement climate-resilient investments. CRAFT provides simple, easy-to-understand resources that can help users consider climate adaptation and resilience before, during and after applying for EPA funding opportunities. The materials provided in CRAFT include:
- Program overviews of EPA’s financial assistance programs where climate-safe investment opportunities are available;
- Climate risk tools and decision support resources that can inform the development, design and implementation of projects;
- Communications materials to facilitate discussions about adaptation, resilience and environmental justice;
- Meaningful engagement resources on how to perform targeted community engagement efforts effectively and intentionally when implementing climate-smart projects; and
- Definitions of common terms to use during technical assistance consultations, engagement efforts and the development of project proposals.
The information in CRAFT can help federal funding applicants and recipients consider climate-related challenges to their projects at the outset, so taxpayer dollars can be invested wisely. CRAFT also supports the development of projects that advance multiple policy goals, such as achieving local flood resilience, adopting nature-based infrastructure solutions, and protecting the people and places most vulnerable to climate change.
With CRAFT, interested parties can more easily navigate EPA’s funding opportunities, consider climate resilience and adaptation as part of their investments, and meaningfully engage community members and other partners over the life of their projects.
EPA Releases Meaningful Engagement Policy
In August 2024, EPA announced the release of its “Achieving Health and Environmental Protection Through Meaningful Engagement Policy“, which updates supersedes EPA’s 2003 “Public Involvement Policy.” It builds on EPA’s commitment to ensure that the public has timely, accessible, and accurate information about EPA programs. It also ensures that EPA teams provide opportunities for participation that foster mutual trust, confidence, and openness between EPA and the public. EPA’s Meaningful Engagement Policy highlights three steps. These steps improve decision-making and help EPA tailor meaningful engagement and public participation processes to meet different program or decision contexts. The accompanying “Resources and Best Practices” section reflects experience gained since the 2003 Public Involvement Policy. The Meaningful Engagement Policy will help EPA staff build and strengthen competencies necessary to reach and hear from members of the public on actions they are interested in or affected by, while accounting for Agency time and resource constraints. The policy incorporates recommendations from public commenters and Tribal Consultations.
Association Updates
2024 National Stormwater Roundtable – Registration Closing!
Dates: October 22 – 24, 2024
City: Washington, DC
Meeting Space: EPA HQ Meeting Space
Hotel: Sold Out – please contact Lexy for alternative options (abailey@acwa-us.org).
Website: 2024 National Stormwater Roundtable
Registration: In-person registration is closing!! There are only 6 seats left!! For those registering virtually, please use this link. Virtual registration is live!!
Meetings and Webinars
Creating the Water Workforce of the Future: Webinar Series
September 18th, 2024, 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Register Here
Increasingly complex challenges facing water utilities make it imperative that regional partners work together to train and prepare individuals to take on the critical role of operating our nation’s water infrastructure. One successful example is taking place in Northwest Ohio, led by the Toledo Metropolitan Council of Governments (TMACOG), Owens Community College, the City of Toledo, and utility partners across the region. Together, they have developed an innovative program to provide education and training to prepare individuals to operate and maintain critical drinking water and wastewater infrastructure. The program offers training for certification, as well as job placement assistance. Please join us September 18th to hear more about this exciting program, including its successes and challenges.
This webinar is part of an ongoing webinar series hosted by EPA, in partnership with leading water sector organizations around the country. More information on this webinar series can be found at https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-water-infrastructure/water-sector-workforce-webinars
How to Prepare Your Wastewater Utility for Disasters
September 19, 2024, 01:00 PM
Register here
Join EPA for a free webinar on how to prepare your wastewater utility for disasters! This webinar will:
1) Demonstrate how to use EPA’s new Small System Risk and Resilience Assessment (RRA) Checklist for Wastewater Utilities using flood and cybersecurity scenarios,
2) Demonstrate how to use EPA’s Emergency Response Plan (ERP) Template for Wastewater Utilities,
3) Provide information on a new opportunity where small wastewater system operators may be eligible to earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for creating an RRA and ERP.
This workshop is meant for small wastewater systems. We also encourage water sector technical assistance providers and consultants to attend. For more information, please contact us at dwresilience@epa.gov.
Job Opportunities
Aquatics Facilities Specialist
Location: Corvallis, OR
Closing Date: September 16, 2024
For more information and to apply, click here.
Water Quality Permit Inspector (Natural Resource Specialist 2
Location: Bend, Klamath Falls, Pendleton, or The Dalles, Oregon (finalist may choose work location)
Closing Date: September 25, 2024
For more information and to apply, click here.
Environmental Analyst – Technical Assistance Provider
Location: Augusta, ME
Closing Date: October 1, 2024
To apply, submit cover letter, resume, and a brief writing sample by email to jobs@neiwpcc.org by October 1, 2024. Please reference #24-DHHS-DWP-003 in the email subject line. A full position description may be viewed at: https://neiwpcc.org/about-us/careers.
Environmental Engineer, PE
Location: Albany, NY
Closing Date: Open until filled
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. Accepting applications until the position is filled. A full position description and benefits listing may be viewed at: https://neiwpcc.org/about-us/careers.
Freshwater Monitoring Unit Supervisor, Western Operations Section (WMS Band 1)
Location: Lacey, WA
Closing Date: Continuous
For more information and to apply, click here.
Water Quality Data Coordinator (Environmental Specialist 3)
Location: Lacey, WA
Closing Date: Continuous
For more information and to apply, click here.
Shoreland, Wetland, Aquatic Resource Specialist (Environmental Specialist 3 or 4)
Location: Yakima County – Union Gap, WA
Closing Date: Continuous
For more information and to apply, click here.
Water Quality Standards Program Supervisor
Location: Wyoming
Closing Date: Continuous
The Water Quality Standards (WQS) supervisor is responsible for developing the state’s surface water quality standards (Chapter 1, Water Quality Rules). Other program responsibilities include supervising the states harmful cyanobacteria bloom (HCB) and waterborne pathogen notification programs in coordination with the Wyoming Department of Health and reviewing and commenting on federally proposed National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) activities and projects in Wyoming to ensure State water quality rules are followed.
For more information and to apply, click here.
Natural Resource Analyst (Nonpoint Source Program)
Location: Various Locations – Wyoming
Closing Date: Continuous
The Wyoming Nonpoint Source Program works to reduce unregulated nonpoint sources of pollution to Wyoming’s water resources by providing technical and financial assistance for voluntary, locally-led projects to protect and restore waterbodies, thereby fulfilling state responsibilities under the Clean Water Act (CWA). The purpose of this position is to lead and implement the Wyoming Nonpoint Source Program, including administering CWA Section 319 and Section 205(j)/604(b) grant funds, completing strategic program planning, evaluating program effectiveness, conducting outreach and education activities, coordinating program oversight with the Nonpoint Source Task Force, and building partnerships with agencies and organizations at the local, state, and federal levels. This position works extensively with other DEQ/WQD Clean Water Act programs to effectively conduct watershed protection, restoration, and monitoring activities. This position routinely coordinates with the Environmental Protection Agency to administer grants and ensure compliance with federal requirements.
For more information and to apply, click here.
Be sure to check out other opportunities on ACWA’s Job Opportunities page.
