News
Funding Freeze Impacts
If your state is still experiencing clean water funding freeze impacts as of this week, please send a note to Lexy at abailey@acwa-us.org with details regarding the funding type impacted, the system you use to access funds, and whether you have heard from EPA that it will be fixed shortly. Thank you!
Jessica Kramer, Assistant Administrator Nominee, Office of Water
Several agency nominees were posted in the February 11, 2025 Senate Congressional Record including Jessica Kramer for Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Water, a position formally held by Radhika Fox. Ms. Kramer most recently served as Deputy Secretary of Regulatory Programs with Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Prior to that she worked for the law firm of Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck. While at EPA, she worked on the Clean Water Act issues, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and preparing the assistant administrator and other senior agency leaders to testify before congressional committees. Ms. Kramer also served as water counsel under then Ranking Member Shelley Moore-Capito (R-WV) for the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, providing legal and policy counsel on all matters related to water. She was significantly involved in the drafting, negotiating, and managing the Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act of 2021 and worked on the water related provisions in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021. Prior to working on Capitol Hill, Kramer was an assistant attorney general for the Wisconsin Department of Justice in the Environmental Protection Unit, where she prosecuted violations referred to the attorney general by state environmental regulatory agencies. Ms. Kramer earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin and her J.D. degree from Marquette University Law School.
EPA Extends Comment Deadline for Methods Rule 22 for the Analysis of Contaminants in Effluent
EPA has extended the comment deadline for the Clean Water Act Methods Update Rule 22 for the Analysis of Contaminants in Effluent. The new deadline to comment is March 24.
Link to extension notice: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/02/21/2025-02913/two-proposed-rules-published-by-the-environmental-protection-agency-with-comment-periods-that-close
Link to the rule: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/01/21/2024-29239/clean-water-act-methods-update-rule-22-for-the-analysis-of-contaminants-in-effluent
Description of the rule: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to promulgate new methods and update the tables of approved methods for the Clean Water Act. The Clean Water Act requires the EPA to promulgate test procedures for the analysis of pollutants. Promulgating new methods and updating the tables of approved methods increases the quality and consistency of data collected for the purposes of the Clean Water Act. In this rule, the EPA proposes to add new EPA methods for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners, and add methods previously published by voluntary consensus bodies that industries and municipalities would use for reporting under the EPA’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit program. The EPA also proposes to withdraw the seven Aroclor (PCB mixtures) parameters. In addition, the EPA is proposing to simplify the sampling requirements for two volatile organic compounds, and make a series of minor corrections to existing tables of approved methods. This proposed rule does not mandate when a parameter must be monitored or establish a discharge limit.
Association Updates
Notice – No Wrap the Week of February 17th
In observance of the holiday, ACWA will not publish a Weekly Wrap the week of February 17th. Look out for our next edition the week of February 24th, 2025.
New ACWA Office Address
Please update your contact lists with our new address:
1725 I Street NW
Suite 225
Washington, DC 20006
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.
Registration Open: 2025 State Summit on Water Reuse
Date: March 19, 2025 (9:15 am to 4:30 pm)
Venue: JW Marriott Tampa Water Street
Registration is now open for the 2025 State Summit on Water Reuse, which will take place on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at the J.W. Marriott Water Street in Tampa, FL. Please click here to register asap, as space is limited.
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.
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
14th National Monitoring Conference – Registration Open Through 2/28
The National Water Quality Monitoring Council (NWQMC) will host its 14th National Monitoring Conference from March 10 to 14, 2025, in Green Bay, Wisconsin at the KI Convention Center. All federal, state, tribal and local water professionals, nonprofits, academia, water consultants and industry, and volunteer scientists are welcome at this important national forum on monitoring Great Lakes, groundwater, streams, rivers, lakes, wetlands, estuaries, and oceans. The conference will be offered in a hybrid format, primarily consisting of in-person presentations and events as well as some virtual components.
Networking and opportunities to create new relationships will abound for attendees. Whether you seek to develop new skills, learn about the latest technologies, or simply exchange information on a wide variety of topics relevant to water resources, the National Monitoring Conference is for you. The conference is a destination conference for many in the field, attracting the highest quality professional presenters and posters.
The 2025 National Monitoring Conference will focus on monitoring and research done in the Great Lakes, groundwater, streams, rivers, lakes, wetlands, estuaries, and oceans.
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 19, 2025, from 3:00 – 4:00 pm ET.
Meeting the demand for safe and adequate supplies of water, especially in regions undergoing hotter and drier weather conditions, requires addressing research gaps associated with water reuse and water storage, including enhanced or managed aquifer recharge. Sustainable and safe water supply is a common theme for states and communities across the nation. Key research needs include chemical and microbial risk assessments for fit for purpose reuse, treatment characterization and performance as well as reliable supplies and cost, which will assist communities in their water reuse and aquifer recharge decisions.
This webinar will provide an overview of ongoing EPA ORD research related to alternative water sources including decentralized water reuse, protein processing plants, treated produced water from oil and gas activities, and enhanced/managed aquifer recharge, as well as collaborations with our partners.
Registration: https://usepa.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_y-z2L_hBSUuzMd_n4Y6LCg#/registration
Job Opportunities
Water Resource Manager I (Surface Water Quality State Permitting Program Supervisor)
Location: Santa Fe, NM
Closing Date: February 19, 2025
Job ID # 151947
NMED Position # 10114473
The Surface Water Quality Bureau (SWQB) preserves, protects, and improves New Mexico’s surface water quality for present and future generations. This position will lead the team that is developing and implementing a surface water quality State Permitting Program (SPP) to regulate discharges that could contaminate surface waters of the state, including rivers, streams, lakes, and wetlands. Ultimately, a state-implemented permitting program better protects New Mexico’s precious water resources by using local knowledge and priorities to preserve, improve and advocate for clean water for our communities and our industries.
For more information and to submit your application, please follow this link and search Job ID# 151947: https://careers.share.nm.gov.
Water Quality and Communications Intern
Location: Lowell, MA
Closing Date: February 23, 2025
To apply, submit a cover letter, resume, and writing sample by email to jobs@neiwpcc.org by February 23, 2025. Please reference #25-Lowell-002 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.
Environmental Analyst – Drinking Water Specialist
Location: Rochester, NY
Closing Date: March 9, 2025
To apply, submit your cover letter, resume, and a brief writing sample by email to jobs@neiwpcc.org by March 9, 2025. Please reference #25-NYS-SW-DOH-001 in the email subject line. Accepting applications until the
is filled. A full position description and benefits listing may be viewed at: https://neiwpcc.org/aboutus/careers.
CSO Construction Project Manager
Location: Albany, NY
Closing Date: March 9, 2025
To apply, submit your cover letter and resume by email to jobs@neiwpcc.org by March 9, 2025. Please reference #25-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.
Youth and the Environment Program Coordinator – Wastewater Division Intern
Location: Lowell, MA
Closing Date: March 9, 2025
To apply, submit a cover letter and resume by email to jobs@neiwpcc.org by March 9, 2025. Please reference #25-Lowell-003 in the email subject line. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, accepting
applications until the positions are filled. A full position description may be viewed at:
https://neiwpcc.org/about-us/careers.
Aquatic Invasive Species Boat Launch Stewards
Location: Lake Champlain, NY and VT
Closing Date: Open until filled
To apply, submit a cover letter and resume by email to jobs@neiwpcc.org; please reference #25-LCBP-003 in
the email subject line. Application review will begin on February 2, 2025, and will continue on a rolling
basis until all positions are filled. A full position description may be viewed at: https://neiwpcc.org/aboutus/careers.
Be sure to check out other opportunities on ACWA’s Job Opportunities page.
