» Clean Water Current Archive

March 18, 2010

NACWA Workgroup Makes Progress toward Petition on SSO/Collection System Issues

A workgroup of NACWA members met this week and made significant progress on identifying the major elements to be included in a petition the Association is planning to file with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requesting a national rule on sanitary sewer overflow (SSO) and collection system issues.  The workgroup, made up of leaders from key NACWA standing committees, was formed in response to a directive from the NACWA Board of Directors at the Winter Conference last month to take the steps necessary to prepare a petition for submission to EPA asking for a national rule on SSO and collection systems issues.  The Board endorsed and authorized Targeted Action Funds (TAF) for this action in response to the increasing need to provide national consistency and predictability for clean water agencies regarding SSOs and collection system management.   The workgroup meeting this week produced agreement on a number of broad topics to be included in such a petition, among them a historical overview of NACWA’s position on the issue; a description of why such a rule is of critical importance now given the current economic climate; and, an outline of the main regulatory issues NACWA believes should be included in a rule.  The workgroup will continue to refine these ideas and work on a draft document over the coming months with a goal of completing its work prior to the NACWA Summer Conference in July.  We will keep the membership updated on this effort as it progresses.

NACWA Participates in Capitol Hill Briefing on Green Infrastructure Legislation

NACWA took part in a March 17 briefing on Capitol Hill regarding green infrastructure legislation, expressing the Association’s support for the Green Infrastructure for Clean Water Act  (H.R. 4202).  NACWA’s comments at the briefing emphasized the important role green infrastructure can play in helping municipalities manage wet weather flows, improve water quality, and enhance community livability.  NACWA also highlighted how H.R. 4202 will significantly help municipalities by including significant federal grant money to fund green projects, technical assistance to implement such projects, and the creation of a formal green infrastructure program at EPA to provide regulatory assistance to cities and clean water agencies that make innovative uses of green infrastructure.   At the briefing, NACWA stressed the importance of municipalities receiving regulatory credit for their use of green infrastructure and the need for EPA to change its clean water enforcement approach to better encourage such solutions to wet weather issues.

NACWA worked closely with a number of other stakeholder organizations, including the Natural Resources Defense Council and American Rivers, to provide significant input as H.R. 4202 was drafted.  The legislation was introduced in December and now has 26 co-sponsors.  Efforts are also underway to introduce a companion bill in the Senate.   The March 17 briefing was organized by Northeast-Midwest Institute and focused on H.R. 4202 as well another green infrastructure bill, the Green Communities Act (H.R. 2222), which NACWA also supports.  Reps. Donna Edwards (D-Md.) and Allyson Schwartz (D-Pa.), the respective authors and original sponsors of the bills were also on-hand to encourage broader support for these bills.  NACWA will keep the membership updated on developments involving these important pieces of legislation.

NACWA Advocacy Continues as Congress Contemplates Next Steps on Climate

This week, NACWA delivered to each member of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate a copy of its report, Confronting Climate Change:  An Early Analysis of Water and Wastewater Adaptation Costs.  The publication, developed jointly by NACWA and the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA), details the impacts climate change will have on wastewater and drinking water utilities and estimates that adaptation will cost an estimated $448 - $944 billion through 2050.  The report helps make the case that water resources management must be a key component of the federal approach as Congress considers climate legislation.

Although Congress’ recent focus has been on health care legislation, activity has also been ramping up in the climate change arena.  President Obama recently met with key Senators to urge action on a comprehensive climate change bill that has to potential to garner bipartisan support.  Senators John F. Kerry (D-Mass.), Lindsey Graham (R- S.C.), and Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.,) attended the meeting and are continuing their work to draft legislation.  Following the Supreme Court decision of Massachusetts v. EPA 549 U.S. 497 — in which the Court ruled greenhouse gases are air pollutants subject to EPA’s Clean Air Act authority — the Agency has continued to state its intention to regulate the larger emissions sources.  This has met with significant bipartisan resistance on Capitol Hill with Senators John Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) seeking to advance bills of their own, and amendments to legislation aimed at preventing EPA from moving forward with such a Clean Air Act rulemaking.  NACWA will continue to closely monitor the progress of climate change legislation and ensure that the clean water community’s voice is heard.

NACWA/WEF Group Discusses Problems of Flushed Non-Dispersible Products

In response to concerns expressed by NACWA members regarding “flushable” wipes that can cause clogging at pumps and treatment plants, the Association partnered with the Water Environment Federation (WEF) to create a working group to further examine the issue and to review “flushability protocols” developed by the nonwoven fabrics industry.  The working group held its first conference call late last week and decided to broaden the focus of the group to other products that are non-dispersible but are commonly flushed, creating problems for the sewer system.  The working group decided to collect data from utilities to document the damages and costs associated with non-dispersible flushed products, which will be useful in educating the public and the manufacturers and marketers of these products.  It will also continue its review of a guidance document  published by INDA, the U.S.-based association of the nonwoven fabrics industry, as well as a document  developed by the Procter & Gamble Company that was reviewed by a panel of independent experts selected by the Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF).  INDA has welcomed suggestions from NACWA on how the guidance document could be improved.  The working group also discussed legislation proposed in California that would restrict the types of products that could be labeled as “flushable.”

A panel presentation at the NACWA’s 2010 Pretreatment & Pollution Prevention Workshop (see related story) will focus on this topic and will include Rory Holmes, the President of INDA.  The working group will continue to discuss the issue and make recommendations for any future advocacy work by NACWA.  Association members who are interested in joining the group, or in sharing information about problems caused by flushable wipes at their utility, should contact Cynthia Finley at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 202/296-9836.

National Environmental Policy Forum Takes Place Next Month – Register Today!

NACWA encourages you to register for the 2010 National Environmental Policy Forum in Washington, D.C., taking place April 18-21 at the L’Enfant Plaza Hotel.  The Policy Forum will consist of panel discussions and briefings, opportunities to connect with your legislators, and high-profile speakers from Congress and the Administration.  In fact, this week Congresswoman Donna Edwards (D-Md.) – a NACWA National Environmental Achievement Award recipient and original sponsor of the Green Infrastructure for Clean Water Act of 2009 – confirmed her attendance as a speaker at the 40th Anniversary Gala & Reception.

This year, NACWA has reserved two hours of time on April 20, 2010 (2:30 - 4:30pm) for Capitol Hill visits with members’ congressional delegations to discuss clean water issues from both your unique local as well as NACWA’s national perspectives.  NACWA encourages you to begin scheduling these meetings.  If you have any questions or would like assistance in this effort, please do not hesitate to contact John Krohn at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 202-833-4655.  NACWA is encouraging broad public agency member participation at this Policy Forum by offering a reduced conference rate for public agencies with multiple attendees.  For more information on this and other Forum features please visit NACWA’s website.  We look forward to seeing you at this year’s Policy Forum.

Mark Your Calendar for These Upcoming NACWA Events

• Join your colleagues for the only conference specifically for pretreatment professionals - the 2010 National Pretreatment and Pollution Prevention Workshop, The Next Generation: Its Continuing Mission to Clean the Nation’s Water, May 19-21, 2010 at the Hyatt Regency Phoenix in Phoenix, Arizona.  Workshop presentation topics include legal issues and case studies on issues associated with the discharges of fats, oils, and grease (FOG), the increasing responsibilities of pretreatment programs to handle stormwater, and how NACWA and utilities are dealing with the problem of “flushable” wipes that cause problems in sewer systems and treatment plants.  The latest information on mercury control measures – and their potential nationwide impact – will also be provided.  Register today on NACWA’s website.

• Register today for the National Perspectives, Developments and Advanced Urban Wet Weather Solutions Workshop (also known as the ‘CSO Workshop’) sponsored by NACWA and the Wet Weather Partnership and taking place April 21-23, 2010 at The InterContinental Hotel in Chicago, Ill. Registration information is available on NACWA’s website.