AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2014
Inside
New Research Reveals Economic
Impact of Water Utility Sector....... 2
Groups Take Water Works!
Message to Capitol Hill ................. 2
Leadership Center Celebrates
15 Years of Utility Education......... 3
Clean Water Law Seminar to
Address Critical Legal Issues......... 4
Proud Members of NACWA.......... 4
Compendium Makes the
Value of Water Clear...................... 5
WEFTEC’14................................... 5
The Necessity of Strangers
Author to Keynote Conference...... 6
Celebrating Innovation,
Impact, and Influence..................... 6
Rep. Bob Gibbs (D-OH), Chair of the House Water &
Environment Subcommittee was among the
speakers at the Water Works! Investing Together
for a Stronger America press
conference in Washington, D.C.
N
ACWA and the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) September 9 to promote increased cooperation and communication
between the two sectors in their efforts to make watershed-level water quality improvements.
The agreement looks to strengthen ties between urban and rural interests on reducing runoff
and nutrient pollution, while exploring ways to gain additional environmental benefit.
Likely Focus on Water Quality, Energy Production
NMPF is a trade association working in Washington DC on behalf of dairy producers and the coopera-
tives they own. The members of NMPF’s cooperatives – more than 32,000 dairy producers - produce the
majority of the U.S. milk supply. The new NACWA-NMPF agreement encourages clean water agencies
and nearby dairy farms and cooperatives to establish communications and work together to identify
projects that can benefit both parties and the watershed. No single model was identified for these part-
nerships, but both organizations believe that many will likely focus on anaerobic digestion of dairy farm
manure to generate energy, coupled with nutrient separation technology to better enable nutrients to be
removed from the watershed. Partnerships between clean water agencies and dairy farms focused on an-
aerobic digestion have already been successful on a limited basis, and the MOU seeks to build on these
examples and increase collaboration nationwide. In addition to anaerobic digestion, the agreement also
envisions partnerships with smaller dairy farms where digestion may not be cost effective. In these cases,
the MOU targets improving water quality through the use of nutrient separation technologies and land
management practices such as planting grass buffers near streams.
EPA Engaged in Effort
Dairy operations which meet certain thresholds are regulated by EPA as concentrated animal feeding
operations or CAFOs. But the land application of manure as a fertilizer may only be governed by state
NACWA, Milk Producers
Sign Agreement to Collaborate
Dr. Oz Shines a Light on Flushable Wipes
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ACWA’s
Toilets Are Not Trash Cans!
campaign continues to ad-
dress the problems caused by wipes and non-dispersible prod-
ucts. The issue recently received significant media attention,
with the problems caused by wipes shown in graphic detail
on
The Dr. Oz Show
on September 9. Dr. Oz visited the Newtown Creek
Wastewater Treatment Plant of NACWA Member Agency the New York
City Department of Environmental Protection. At the plant he saw first-
hand how even though wipes may flush easily down the toilet, most are
not breaking down before reaching the treatment facility. Back in the stu-
dio, Dr. Oz discussed the problem with Cynthia Finley, NACWA’s Director
of Regulatory Affairs, who explained that the current voluntary flushability
guidelines are not stringent enough to protect sewer systems and
A
Clear
Commitment to America’s Waters
National Association of
Clean Water Agencies
1816 Jefferson Place, NW
Washington DC 20036-2505
p
202.833.2672
f
202.833.4657
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