» Clean Water Current Archive

March 22, 2013

NACWA Seeks Member Recommendations on EPA “Innovation” Visits

EPA’s Acting Assistant Administrator (AA) for Water Nancy Stoner is beginning a series of visit to showcase innovative technologies and practices being used or developed in the water sector. These visits are meant to support and inform EPA’s Technology Innovation Blueprint initiative that will identify market opportunities in the water sector. As part of this effort, Stoner will visit a variety of regions, where she will discuss EPA’s efforts on fostering innovative approaches and highlight examples of technology innovation that track with these market opportunities. The first of these visits will be in Tampa, Florida next week.

NACWA has been asked by EPA to provide brief case studies of Member Agency innovations to help the Agency determine future sites for visits – as well as to highlight in future remarks by AA Stoner and in the Agency’s Innovation Blueprint. If your utility is engaged in relevant projects under the areas listed below, we encourage you to submit a brief summary to Brenna Mannion, NACWA’s Manager, Regulatory Affairs, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

• Energy Reduction and Recovery from Water and Wastewater Treatment Plants
• Nutrient Recovery from Wastewater
• Rehabilitating the Nation’s Infrastructure & Green Infrastructure
• Water Reuse
• Improved and Less Expensive Monitoring
• Technology Assessment/Verification and Performance

Meeting with Agency Leaders Planned on Utility of the Future

On a related note, NACWA continues to be engaged with EPA on policies that can support innovative technologies and approaches in the clean water sector via the water resources utility of the future (UOTF) initiative. The Association has scheduled a meeting with AA Stoner and key Office of Water staff in April to provide a detailed overview of the Water Resources Utility of the Future. . .A Blueprint for Action  report and explore ways to advance the report’s recommendations.

Congress Passes Continuing Resolution to Avert Federal Shutdown

Congress passed a Continuing Resolution (CR) yesterday that will avert a federal shutdown and keep the government funded at Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 levels through December 16. The Senate completed its work on the CR after debating the measure for a number of days. A last minute compromise between Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) to limit the number of amendments offered by Republicans allowed the Senate to pass the CR late Wednesday evening, sending it to the House which approved it Thursday. The CR sustains the lower spending levels required under sequestration but provides flexibility to a number of agencies programs in an effort to avoid some of the worst impacts of the automatic sequestration cuts.

State Revolving Fund Impacted

Funding for the State Revolving Fund (SRF) programs was reduced in the CR. The Clean Water SRF will be funded at $1.451 billion from $1.469 billion, and the Drinking Water SRF will be funded at just over $908 million from $919 million. These cuts are in addition to $10 million in undesignated funds that will be rescinded from each fund. With funding for FY 2013 secured, Congress is now turning its attention to the FY 2014 budget. NACWA will be advocating against further cuts to the Clean Water SRF and will continue to track developments on the Federal budget as they occur.

Water Sector Coordinating Council Workgroup Discusses Future Security Priorities

A joint workgroup of the Water Sector Coordinating Council (WSCC) and Government Coordinating Council (GCC) met this week to revise the Roadmap to a Secure & Resilient Water Sector, a 2009 document that defined the priorities for improving security, emergency preparedness, and resiliency for drinking water and wastewater utilities. The 2009 Roadmap was used by EPA to determine the projects that its Water Security Division (WSD) would pursue over the last three years. NACWA’s representatives to the WSCC, Patty Cleveland, Assistant Regional Manager, Northern Region, of the Trinity River Authority, TX and a NACWA Board member, and Jim Davidson, Manager of Safety & Security with the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District, OH, are both members of the workgroup and attended this week’s meeting.

Top Water Sector Risks Identified

The workgroup agreed that natural disasters, aging infrastructure, and cybersecurity are the top risks for the water sector and improving preparedness and response to these risks need to be prioritized. The workgroup discussed ideas for how EPA, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and state regulatory agencies can work with water sector utilities to better respond to these threats. In future meetings, the workgroup will be discussing specific projects that can be used to achieve these response goals. The end result will be a report that will be used by EPA in the coming years to help determine the WSD’s work plan and budget requirements.

NACWA Meets with NRDC about Triclosan

NACWA met with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) this week to discuss strategies for reducing the amount of triclosan that is used in consumer products and ultimately discharged into the sewer system. Triclosan is used as an antibacterial agent in a wide variety of consumer products, including soaps, toothpaste, detergents, and other cleaning products. It is persistent in the environment and provides little or no health benefits, (e.g., using antibacterial soap for handwashing has been shown to be no more effective than using regular soap). NRDC previously attempted to sue the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) over its failure to regulate triclosan, and had the case thrown out due to lack of standing, but the 2nd U.S. Circuit of Appeals reinstated the lawsuit last week. NRDC will keep NACWA informed about the progress of this case and any ways that the Association might be able to assist.

NRDC and NACWA discussed other ways to collaborate to bring more attention to this issue, including a presentation by NRDC at the 2013 NACWA Pretreatment & Pollution Prevention Workshop, encouraging NACWA members to develop procurement procedures for triclosan-free products with their local governments, and meeting with other groups to form strategies for convincing manufacturers and retailers to reduce or eliminate triclosan-containing products. NACWA members with an interest in this issue should contact NACWA’s Director, Regulatory Affairs, Cynthia Finley at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Water Resources Development Act Approved in Senate EPW Committee

On Wednesday, the Senate Environment & Public Works Committee unanimously approved the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), a bill that would authorize projects in 18 infrastructure categories for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The bill also includes a pilot version of the Water Infrastructure Finance & Innovation Act (WIFIA) at both the Army Corps of Engineers and EPA. WIFIA is designed to fund large water projects that are regionally significant. The pilot WIFIA program in the WRDA bill could be used to finance a variety of water infrastructure projects whose cost is greater than $20 million. Total authorization for the pilot program is $50 million. NACWA is supportive of this new water infrastructure funding tool, but remains steadfast in its belief that WIFIA must not come at the expense of the State Revolving Fund program. The bill is expected to go to the full Senate for a vote in late April or May. NACWA will keep members informed with any updates.

March AWARDS Madness Is Here! Is Your Agency Ready To Be Recognized?

NACWA is currently accepting award applications for two of its recognition programs – the Peak Performance Program and the Excellence in Management Recognition Program. We know our members routinely function at a high level of excellence – let us recognize you for it!

The Peak Performance Program program acknowledges member agency facilities for excellence in wastewater treatment as measured by their compliance with their National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit requirements. Agencies are encouraged to submit applications for the 2012 Peak Performance Awards program by April 5, 2013. Awards are given at the Platinum, Gold and Silver levels based on 2012 calendar year performance.

The Excellence in Management Recognition Program acknowledges the overall achievements of NACWA Member Agencies in the utility management arena. Recognizing utilities for their efforts to implement and sustain successful programs that address the Ten Attributes of Effectively Managed Water Sector Utilities as well as Resource Efficiency & Protection Activities – this program is a comprehensive acknowledgment of a utility’s excellence. Recognition is given at Platinum, Gold, and Silver levels based on utility size. Member Agencies are encouraged to submit applications by April 12, 2013. Sample successful entries are now available on NACWA’s website for use as a resource.

Visit the Awards Section of NACWA’s website for more information on eligibility/criteria, levels of recognition, and how to apply for these prestigious recognition programs.

Legislative, Regulatory, and Legal Developments Featured at NACWA’s Policy Forum

NACWA’s National Environmental Policy Forum, April 21 – 24 in Washington, DC, is the ideal setting to access the latest legislative, regulatory, and legal developments and meet federal policy makers in the Nation’s capital. With over 100 new members of Congress, and many new staff at the top levels of key federal agencies, now is the time to come to Washington, make sure your voice is heard, and build lasting relationship with your Congressional delegation. We invite you to make your plans today to join us in Washington. An agenda, registration and additional information is on the website. Be sure to make your reservations with the Marriott Washington before the registration deadline of April 1.

Don’t Miss the Only National Workshop Designed for Pretreatment & Pollution Prevention Professionals

For over two decades, pretreatment professionals from across the country have benefited from the utility-focused speakers and panels – and the unique networking opportunities NACWA’s National Pretreatment & Pollution Prevention Workshop offers. Pretreatment professionals from clean water agencies across the country should not miss this conference – designed especially for them!

This year’s Workshop, May 15-18 in Portland, Ore., will focus on the important role that pretreatment and pollution prevention programs play in utilities. Significantly, key program staff from EPA will be on hand to engage and update participants on the National Pretreatment Program. Make your plans for your key pretreatment staff to attend today by reserving a room at the DoubleTree by Hilton Portland before April 23.

Today, on World Water Day, NACWA looks forward to a time when everyone on the planet has access to clean and safe water.