News
EPA Announces Final CWA 404(g) Tribal and State Assumption Rule
On December 11, EPA announced the final 2024 Clean Water Act Section 404 Tribal and State Assumption Program Rule, which updates and clarifies procedures for tribes and states to assume and administer the CWA Section 404 program. According to EPA, the new Rule addresses barriers to assumption and “harmonizes the requirements for program assumption with existing requirements for program operation and creates new opportunities for Tribal engagement and public input. Further, the 2024 Rule clarifies EPA’s oversight role, which will increase transparency and help facilitate conversations between EPA and the assuming state or Tribe. Because the 2024 Rule replaces outdated and unclear procedures with more transparent requirements and more streamlined procedures, the 2024 Rule will facilitate assumption of Clean Water Act Section 404 while ensuring that approved state and Tribal programs are meeting their requirements.” Please visit EPA’s CWA 404(g) website to learn more about the new Rule. The 404 Rule was published in the federal register on December 18, 2024. Effective date of the final rule is January 17, 2025.
EPA Releases the 2021 National Wetland Condition Assessment
This week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released the National Wetland Condition Assessment. This report presents the results of the 2021 survey of the nation’s wetlands. NWCA is a statistical survey designed to provide information on chemical, biological and physical indicators of the health of our nation’s wetlands. Healthy wetlands enhance our quality of life and provide many critical services and recreational opportunities.
Results from NWCA can help us better understand the condition of wetlands in the United States and some of the stressors affecting them, such as these key takeaways:
- Less than half of wetland area was rated good, based on an analysis of plant communities.
- Nonnative plants are a widespread concern.
- Physical alterations to wetlands are the most widespread stressors measured.
- Nutrient levels are elevated for some wetlands.
- Microcystins, a type of cyanobacteria toxin, were present, but at very low levels, posing minimal recreational human health concerns.
More information on the EPA’s National Aquatic Resource Surveys can be found on the NARS website.
EPA Draft PFAS Human Health Criteria Released for Public Comment
The EPA has released draft national recommended health-based levels (human health criteria) for three per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in water bodies. The three PFAS are perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), and perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS). Human health criteria are not legally enforceable, rather they are information for local entities to consider when making local decisions about water quality.
The EPA will accept written comments on the draft human health criteria for 60 days upon publication in the Federal Register. Section 304(a) of the Clean Water Act (CWA) directs the EPA to develop and publish water quality criteria that accurately reflect the latest scientific knowledge about the effects of particular pollutants on human health and welfare. The EPA’s CWA Section 304(a) human health criteria are recommendations to states and Tribes authorized to establish their own water quality standards under the CWA. Once final, these recommended criteria can be used by states and authorized Tribes to develop their own water quality criteria that help protect people from exposure through consuming water, fish and shellfish from inland and nearshore water bodies that may be contaminated by any of these PFAS.
You can read the press release here.
Final Pesticide General Permit in Federal Register
On December 17, 2024, EPA published the final 2026 NPDES Pesticide General Permit (PGP). See Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2023-0268. This general permit regulates point source discharges of biological pesticides and chemical pesticides that leave a residue. The permit covers mosquito and other flying insect pest control; weed and algae pest control; animal pest control; and forest canopy pest control. There were numerous updates made to the final permit related to the Endangered Species Act and consultation with the Services. See Part I of the 2026 PGP’s Fact Sheet for a summary of changes to the 2021 PGP and to the proposed 2026 PGP. The 2026 PGP becomes effective October 31, 2026.
Proposed Updates to Construction General Permit in Federal Register
EPA is proposing a narrow modification to its 2022 Construction General Permit (CGP) to expand the list of areas eligible for coverage to include construction projects in Lands of Exclusive Federal Jurisdiction. This modification is necessary because the EPA is the permitting authority in Lands of Exclusive Federal Jurisdiction, and when the CGP was issued on February 17, 2022, the permit did not specifically provide eligibility for all of these areas. The proposed modification would also clarify the CGP requirements that apply to projects that discharge to receiving waters within Lands of Exclusive Federal Jurisdiction. More details on the permit update can be found here. The comment period closes January 13, 2024.
Proposed 2026 MSGP in Federal Register
Last week EPA formally proposed for public comment the 2026 Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP). This proposed permit, once finalized, would replace EPA’s existing MSGP that expires on February 28, 2026. The EPA proposes to issue this permit for five (5) years. EPA solicits comment on all aspects of the proposed general permit and seeks public comment on specific requests for information as described in this document. The proposed 2026 MSGP includes a number of new or modified requirements including:
- Consideration of Stormwater Control Measure Enhancements for Major Storm Events
- Water Quality-Based Effluent Limitations and Other Limitations Updates
- Indicator monitoring for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
- Updated Monitoring Requirements for Certain Sectors
- Updated Benchmark Monitoring Schedule
- Impaired Waters Monitoring
- Revisions to the Additional Implementation Measures (AIM)
More details on the permit can be found here. The comment period closes February 11, 2025.
Preliminary Effluent Limit Guidelines Plan 16
This week EPA released for public comment the Preliminary Effluent Guidelines Program Plan 16, which announces the agency’s intent to initiate detailed studies of wastewater pollution discharges and their treatment potential for several industrial categories. Effluent limitations guidelines (ELGs) are national, technology-based regulations developed to control industrial wastewater discharges to surface waters and into publicly owned treatment works. ELGs are intended to represent the greatest pollutant reductions through technology that are economically achievable for an industry. The document plans studying and developing technology-based PFAS limits on industrial wastewater discharges. As part of the plan, EPA has determined that it needs to collect additional data and information from facilities in the Battery Manufacturing Category, the Centralized Waste Treatment Category, the Oil and Gas Extraction Category, as well as from PFAS processors (industrial facilities engaged in processing PFAS into commercial products). The goal of these studies is to enable the agency to make informed, data-driven decisions on the need for new rulemakings to establish revised effluent limitations guidelines. Any future rulemakings developed as a result of these studies would be based on the best available science and designed to stop PFAS contamination at the source, safeguarding community and environmental health. The Federal Register notice was published December 18, 2024 with the comment period closing January 17, 2024.
EPA Water Affordability Report to Congress
This week EPA released the 2024 Water Affordability Needs Assessment Report which provides an estimate of the water affordability burden felt among households and utilities across the nation. The Report summarizes decades of work by utilities, academics, and associations that have been at the forefront of this research. It presents EPA’s analysis of the prevalence of water affordability challenges to both communities and utilities across the country and provides approaches to address water affordability concerns. The preliminary analysis presented in the Report indicates between 12.1 million and 19.2 million households throughout the U.S. lack affordable access to water services. The estimated national cost of unaffordable water service bills ranges from $5.1 billion to $8.8 billion per year.
This Report provides options to reduce unaffordable access to water services which fall into three broad categories:
- Establishing a Federal Water Assistance Program
- Increasing Education, Outreach and Knowledge Around Solutions to Address Affordability
- Increasing Ways to Reduce Water Infrastructure Capital and Operating Costs.
In producing this Report, EPA gathered input from a wide range of stakeholders, including utilities, associations, academia, nonprofits, community-based organizations, advocacy groups, and the public. More details about this report can be found on this page.
Association Updates
Notice – No Wrap the Week of December 23rd
In observance of the holiday, ACWA will not publish a Weekly Wrap the week of December 23rd. ACWA Offices are closed through January 3rd, 2025. Look out for our next edition the week of January 6th, 2025. Happy Holidays!
ACWA Annual Member Survey 2024-2025 – Deadline Extended
This week ACWA staff sent out the Annual ACWA Member Survey which helps us evaluate current services and member satisfaction and assists leadership with planning for the future. This survey is 16 questions long and should take no more than 12 minutes to complete. This survey is being sent to all state, interstate, and territorial staff that participate in ACWA activities. The deadline for responses has been extended to January 3, 2025. Thank you in advance for your assistance! We greatly appreciate your feedback!
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2024_2025_Annual_Member_Survey
2025 Mid-Year Meeting – Reserve Your Hotel Room Now!
Dates: March 12 & 13, 2025
Venue: Hilton Alexandria Old Town, Alexandria, VA
Make your room reservations today! The room block will close on February 18, 2025.
Registration is LIVE! Register HERE
This will be a closed meeting intended for state members and federal guests. The agenda is in development and will be updated as appropriate.
Check back here for more updates.
Save the Date: 2025 State Summit on Water Reuse
Date: March 19, 2025
Venue: JW Marriott Tampa Water Street
Save the Date! The 2025 State Summit on Water Reuse will take place on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at the J.W. Marriott Water Street in Tampa, FL. This free, state regulator-only event is hosted by ACWA, ASDWA, ECOS, ASTHO, GWPC, and U.S. EPA, and will be held once again in conjunction with the WateReuse Association Annual Water Reuse Symposium, which begins March 16.
The primary goal of the State Summit is to provide a place for state regulators to share and learn about a range of water reuse issues, network with state colleagues, and coordinate with representatives from select federal agencies. The Summit will feature perspectives from many states and provide an opportunity for participants to share their thoughts and key questions with colleagues from around the country. Past Summit session topics have included: developments in potable reuse around the nation, non-potable reuse for agriculture, industrial reuse trends and experiences (e.g., data centers, produced water), as well as federal updates on the National Water Reuse Action Plan (WRAP) and Interagency Working Group.
ACWA and ASDWA may be able to assist with reimbursement for costs relating to state travel and lodging for the Summit. However, space and reimbursement funds are limited. Please contact Ward Scott (wscott@acwa-us.org) to request travel reimbursement or for more information. Additionally, State Summit participants are eligible to register for the Annual WRA WateReuse Symposium at a discounted (Presenter) rate.
Please stay tuned for registration information.
2025 Water Quality Standards Workshop – Registration Now Available!
Dates: April 22-24, 2025
Location: Des Moines, IA
This workshop is a national meeting organized by ACWA for state staff involved in state water quality standards programs, as well as for both Regional and Headquarters-based U.S. Environmental Protection Agency managers and staff.
The workshop will be held at the Embassy Suites in Downtown Des Moines. Reserve your hotel room here: ACWA Water Quality Standards Workshop. The room block will close March 31, 2025.
ACWA does anticipate having travel support for state staff. When available, more information can be found on ACWA’s events page.
Meetings and Webinars
Using the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) and State Revolving Fund (SRF) programs to Finance Water Infrastructure Projects Webinar
Tuesday, January 14, 2025, from 3:00 – 4:00 PM Eastern time
The WIFIA and SRF programs provide financing solutions to help communities address their water infrastructure needs. Communities can use these EPA programs together to co-finance up to 100% of an eligible project. Co-funding with the WIFIA and SRF programs offers funding recipients efficiencies, cost savings, and other advantages. This webinar will provide an overview of the WIFIA and SRF programs and describe how both programs can be used to maximize infrastructure funding for water sector utilities implementing climate resilient adaptation strategies, like those developed through CRWU’s technical assistance program.
Register here. For more information, contact Dallas Shattuck, shattuck.dallas@epa.gov.
EPA Webinar on Alternative Water Sources for Augmenting Water Supplies
EPA’s Office of Research and Development (ORD) is convening a virtual workshop on Alternative Water Sources for Augmenting Water Supplies with EPA Regions and interested states on February 5, 2025, from 1:00 – 5:00 pm. The workshop will discuss ORD’s research to help support the National Water Reuse Action Plan, as well as the needs of EPA regions, states, and Tribes for safe and reliable water supplies. Research will also focus on developing tools and resources for communities to support their decision making regarding alternative water sources. The workshop will provide an opportunity to discuss research gaps, identify opportunities for collaboration on scientific needs, and inform EPA ORD’s research agenda.
While this virtual workshop is in follow-up to the EPA ORD-Region 6-States Meeting held in October, all EPA Regions and interested states are invited to participate. We ask that everyone register for the workshop (link below). Attached are the workshop flyer and draft agenda. We welcome states to suggest specific concerns or issues under the general research topics that they may wish to see included but are not currently in the draft workshop agenda. For each research topic, we will be asking a state representative to talk about some of the on-the-ground challenges their state is facing on this topic and related science needs.
Registration: https://usepa.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJItcuCgrjoqHC7INJrV4xGayy42-JWO7_U
Save the Date: EPA’s Informational Webinars on Draft WQS Handbook Chapters
On December 12, 2024, the EPA released three draft chapters of the WQS Handbook for a 90-day public comment period. The WQS Handbook provides a plain language discussion of the relevant regulatory and statutory requirements and the EPA’s recommendations for how states, authorized Tribes and U.S. territories can develop and implement WQS consistent with both. The EPA has updated Chapter 2 on Designated Uses, Chapter 4 on Antidegradation, and developed a new chapter on WQS Variances to include the EPA’s most recent WQS programmatic policy and guidance to implement the regulation at 40 CFR Part 131.
During the public comment period, the EPA will hold informational webinars to provide an overview of the chapters and an opportunity for participants to ask clarifying questions after having read the chapters. Each webinar will cover the same material.
Please save the date:
- General public webinar: February 4, 2025, 12pm ET to 2pm ET
- States and U.S. territories only webinar: February 4, 2025, 2:30pm ET to 4:30pm ET
- Tribes only webinar: February 6, 2025, 12pm ET to 2pm ET
Registration for the webinars will begin in early January 2025. The EPA will provide the registration information on the WQS Handbook webpage and via this listserv.
Job Opportunities
Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging Coordinator
Location: Duluth, Brainerd, Detroit Lakes, St. Paul, Rochester, Mankato, Marshall
Closing Date: December 30, 2024
For more information and to apply, visit Minnesota Careers.
Environmental Analyst – Water Quality Monitoring
Location: Albany, NY
Closing Date: January 5, 2025
To apply, submit cover letter, resume, and a brief writing sample by email to jobs@neiwpcc.org by January 5, 2025. Please reference #25-NYS-SW-DEC-001 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.
TMDL Basin Coordinator (Natural Resource Specialist 4)
Location: Pendleton, Oregon
Closing Date: January 12, 2024
For more information and to apply, click here.
ICWP 2025 Spring Internships
Location: Remote
Closing Date: January 17, 2025
ICWP has immediate openings for up to three interns to assist in accomplishing its mission for Spring 2025. Interns will work with a supervisor to select one or more projects based on interests and skills and receive a $1,000 stipend.
We are looking for interns who are interested in the following project topics:
- Water Data Governance
- Soil Moisture and Evapotranspiration
- Planning Assistance to States (PAS)
- Committee Event Planning
- Others, should a worthy proposal be submitted
See 2025 Internship Announcement here.
Permit Writer (Environmental Engineer 3) (2 positions)
Location: Spokane, WA
Closing Date: Continuous
For more information and to apply, visit Washington’s Job Opportunities webpage.
General Permit Data Specialist/Permit Administrator (Environmental Specialist 3)
Location: Lacey, WA
Closing Date: Continuous
For more information and to apply, visit Washington’s Job Opportunities webpage.
Senior Program Manager, Environmental Policy
Location: Washington, D.C.
Closing Date: Open Until Filled
NAHB is seeking an experienced candidate for the position of senior program manager, environmental policy. This role is responsible for implementing NAHB’s regulatory policy program concerning environmental issues at the federal, state and local level by providing critical analysis of law and regulation; and providing technical assistance to members and HBAs on environmental regulatory issues. Functions performed by this position include the preparation of regulatory comment letters, compliance assistance materials for NAHB’s membership, and performing related regulatory advocacy work before federal and state environmental agencies.
To apply for this position, please submit this application.
Recreational Water Quality Analyst
Location: Cheyenne, WY
Closing Date: Continuous
For more information and to apply, visit Wyoming State Government Jobs.
Environmental Specialist I/II
Location: Dover, DE
Closing Date: Open until filled
For more information and to apply, visit Kent Conservation District.
Environmental Engineer Manager 1 (Surface Water Discharge Permitting Manager)
Location: Pierre, SD
Closing Date: Open Until Filled
For more information and to apply, click here.
Be sure to check out other opportunities on ACWA’s Job Opportunities page.
