ARCHIVE SITE - Last updated Jan. 19, 2017. Please visit www.NACWA.org for the latest NACWA information.
ARCHIVE SITE - Last updated Jan. 19, 2017. Please visit www.NACWA.org for the latest NACWA information.
January 11, 2013
House to Vote on Sandy Emergency Appropriations Package, Will Include Funding to Improve Utility ResiliencyThe U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote next Tuesday on the remaining Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Request for Hurricane Sandy Relief, including funding to help water and wastewater utilities in New York and New Jersey undertake measures to build resiliency against future natural disasters. The vote will come in two parts: a base bill sponsored by House Appropriations Chairman Hal Rogers (R-Ky.) that contains $17 billion in emergency appropriations to fund immediate rebuilding needs; and, an amendment package sponsored by Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-N.J.) containing an additional $33.7 billion to help fund longer-term activities aimed at mitigating future storm damage in New York and New Jersey. The Frelinghuysen amendment includes $600 million in funding for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Program (DWSRF) to enhance water system resiliency to future extreme weather events ($500 million for the CWSRF and $100 million for the DWSRF). We anticipate that both the base bill and the amendment will pass. U.S Supreme Court Decision Limits Definition of “Discharge” Under Clean Water ActThe U.S. Supreme Court released its ruling Jan. 8 in Los Angeles County Flood Control District v. Natural Resources Defense Council, with the Court confirming that water flowing from one portion of a waterway through an artificial channel into another portion of the same waterway does not qualify as a “discharge” under the Clean Water Act (CWA). Accordingly, these types of flows from an improved portion of a waterway to an unimproved portion do not require a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. In making this decision, the Court also reaffirmed its 2004 ruling in South Florida Water Management District v. Miccosukee Tribe of Indians that the transfer of already polluted water between two parts of the same water body does not create a discharge under the CWA or require an NPDES permit. Utility of the Future Task Force Holds Final Call, Blueprint for Action Near FinalThe Utility of the Future Task Force held its last workshop this week to discuss the final draft of the Water Resources Utility of the Future (UOTF) Blueprint for Action. The Task Force is made up of 49 representatives from public utilities, consulting/engineering firms, academia, and technology developers and manufacturers – nominated for participation by the three sponsors of the project - NACWA, the Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF), and the Water Environment Federation (WEF). The Task Force is chaired by Tom Sigmund, NACWA Utility Management Committee Chair, and Executive Director of the Green Bay Metropolitan Sewerage District. Operate a Sewage Sludge Incinerator? Join Us on a CallWith NACWA’s legal challenge of the new Clean Air Act (CAA) standards for sewage sludge incinerators (SSIs) still in full swing, member agencies who operate SSIs are taking important steps to evaluate whether they can comply with the new rules, if necessary. Key deadlines are approaching and many clean water agencies are evaluating the regulatory status of their SSIs. A key consideration in preparing to comply with the standards is determining what modifications to the SSI may be necessary and whether the cumulative cost of modifications to the SSI since its construction threaten the status of the unit as an existing source. NACWA is convening a web-based conference call on Wednesday, January 30 from 3:00-4:30 pm Eastern to discuss the issues surrounding the modification of SSIs, including: What constitutes a modification? How do you calculate cumulative cost? What triggers new source standards? Members of NACWA’s SSI Advocacy Coalition will receive the details for the conference call soon. Member agencies with SSIs that are not part of NACWA’s Advocacy Coalition are encouraged to contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information. Senate Announces New Committee Assignments; Vitter to Be New Ranking Member of Environment & Public WorksSenate Republicans and Democrats announced committee assignments for the 113th Congress this week. Full Senate confirmation of these assignments is expected soon. On the Republican side, Senators Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) will replace Sens. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Mike Johanns (R-Nev.) on the Environment & Public Works (EPW) Committee. Senator David Vitter (R-La.) will replace Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) as the Committee’s ranking member. On the Energy & Natural Resources (ENR) Committee, Senators Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), and Tim Scott (R-S.C.) will replace Senators Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), Dan Coats (R-Ind.), and Rand Paul (R-Ky.). Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) will retain her ranking member position. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) will replace Senator Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) as the new ranking member of the Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry Committee. On the Democratic side, Senator Wyden (D-Ore.) will replace retired Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) as Chair of the ENR Committee. Senators Barbara Boxer and Debbie Stabenow will remain Chairs of the EPW and Agriculture Committees, respectively. We will continue to keep members informed of any updates on the new Congress as they occur. The House also announced the full membership of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee for the 113th Congress. Subcommittee leadership post announcements are expected next week. DC Water’s George Hawkins Authors Key Article on Modernizing the Clean Water ActNACWA Board Member, Chair of the Association’s Money Matters Task Force, and General Manager of DC Water, George Hawkins, recently authored an article, A Cleaner Water Act, in the publication Democracy – A Journal of Ideas. The article focuses on the need for a new Clean Water Act — a concept bolstered by the work done as part of NACWA’s Money Matters . . . Smarter Investment to Advance Clean Water™ campaign and continuing on in the Water Resources Utility of the Future initiative. It underscores the importance of putting a local face on national clean water issues and the need to address the worst risks first, sensible technology standards, and an approach that treats all contributors to a water pollution problem equitably. The Association shared the article with its array of contacts through its social media network and urges other agencies to similarly share publications highlighting their perspectives or agency achievements with NACWA’s Elizabeth Striano at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . This Week in Social Media: NACWA Continues to Expand Presence, OutreachNACWA added two new posts to its blog, The Water Voice. The first is a thoughtful summary of two key NACWA accomplishments in the nutrient and TMDL arenas that closed out 2012 on a high note, and the second is a look ahead to what might be expected for 2013. Readers can post comments or sign up to receive automatic updates as articles are posted. Final Call for Public Agency Members to Complete the 2012 NACWA Index SurveyNext Friday, January 18, 2013 is the last day for public agency members to submit their responses to the 2012 NACWA Index Survey. Data collection for the 2012 Index began in November and the results of the survey will be distributed to the membership in April 2013. Preliminary results will be discussed at NACWA’s upcoming Winter Conference in Miami. 2012 Peak Performance Award Applications Now Available!NACWA member agencies are encouraged to submit their nominations for the 2012 Peak Performance Awards. As announced in this week’s Member Update 13-01, the Peak Performance Awards program acknowledges member agency facilities for excellence in wastewater treatment as measured by compliance with their National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit requirements. This program has honored thousands of NACWA member agency facilities since its inception in 1987, and the Association anticipates that the program will enjoy another record number of honorees this year. The deadline for submissions is April 5, 2013. More information on the Peak Performance Award program, including the award categories, criteria, and how to apply, is available on the Awards Page of the NACWA website. |
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Winter Conference
Next Generation Compliance …Where Affordability & Innovation Intersect
February 4 – 7, 2017
Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel
Tampa, FL