October 19, 2012 NACWA Focuses on a Vision for the Future as the Clean Water Act Turns 40The Clean Water Act celebrated its much-anticipated 40th anniversary yesterday and NACWA targeted key audiences and the media to share its advocacy priorities and a collaborative Vision for Clean Water for the next decade and beyond. On Monday, October 15, NACWA, the Water Environment Federation (WEF) and the Association of Clean Water Administrators (ACWA) came together to celebrate 40 years of accomplishments under the Clean Water Act (CWA) and to call for a new joint vision to ensure further water quality progress. EPA’s Ellen Gilinsky, Senior Policy Advisor in the Office of Water, opened the session. The Executive Directors of NACWA, WEF and ACWA made remarks, as did NACWA Public Agency Members Alexandria Renew Enterprises represented by Chief Executive Officer Karen Pallansch; Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission represented by Jerry N. Johnson, General Manager/CEO; and DC Water represented by George Hawkins, General Manager. Carlton Haywood, Executive Director, Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin and ACWA Interstate Board Representative, also presented from the State regulatory perspective. The speakers generally agreed that the CWA has led to vastly improved water quality and community and economic vitality in the United States, and discussed the even greater financial, environmental, and sustainability challenges that lie ahead with a candor about the potential need to modify the Act. The joint press release and 2020 Vision Paper were distributed at the event. A video of the event is available on YouTube and media coverage from the event is available on NACWA’s News and Media webpage.
NACWA Urges Open Stakeholder Dialogue for Pesticide Registration ReviewNACWA expressed concern this week in a letter to EPA’s pesticide office that proposed ‘focus’ meetings at the start of the Agency’s pesticide registration review process. The proposed meetings would be limited to pesticide manufacturers and closed to broader stakeholder participation. NACWA has been engaged in EPA’s work on toxic substances and pesticides for several years to ensure the Agency accurately accounts for potential impacts on the clean water community during all phases of its chemical review, approval and registration processes. Without the appropriate controls and restrictions based on a full understanding of these impacts, pesticides and other toxic substances that make their way into the sewer can result in biosolids management issues and/or violations of Clean Water Act permit requirements. In its letter, NACWA recommended that EPA make participation in the ‘focus’ meetings available to all interested stakeholders, not just to pesticide registrants. Interested stakeholders would include wastewater treatment facilities, as well as sister offices within EPA, such as the Office of Wastewater Management and Office of Science & Technology, as well as the Office of Research & Development.
Not sure Social Media is for your Utility? Let’s Talk about It!NACWA continues its Social Market Leadership web seminar series on November 7 – and it’s not too late to join your colleagues, and 2012 Summer Conference keynote speaker David Nour, as we explore LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube for utilities – and conclude the series with a series of case studies and best practices from NACWA Member Agencies.Registration for our special ‘Final Four’ package includes:
All seminars take place from 2:00 – 3:00 pm Eastern Time.
New on Engage™. . .Three Key Interest GroupsThis week, NACWA launched three new interest groups on EngageTM that are dedicated to issues of concern to public utilities nationwide. These new groups complement the seven previously launched groups, and are part of NACWA's ongoing effort to roll out its interactive online network to encourage collaboration and knowledge-sharing among Association members. The three new groups are:
In the next phase of the EngageTM rollout, groups will be created for each of NACWA’s Standing Committees, making online committee discussions a core component of the Association’s strategic advocacy work. NACWA Reaches 1,000 Twitter FollowersIn related news, NACWA’s Twitter account this week reached a milestone of more than 1,000 followers. The Association’s number of Twitter followers continues to grow daily, following the account’s official launch in February. In addition to following us on Twitter, members are encouraged to ‘like’ the NACWA page on Facebook. We also invite you to visit NACWA’s blog, The Water Voice, where new posts are added every week. Each of these tools is a great way to keep in touch with, and participate in, NACWA’s advocacy activities on a real-time basis.
Oct. 23 Hotel Deadline for NACWA’s Law Seminar Is Just a Few Days AwayOnly four days are left to receive the discounted hotel rate for NACWA’s 2012 Developments in Clean Water Law Seminar in Seattle, so hurry and make your plans soon! The Seminar will take place Nov. 14 – 16 at the Seattle Westin, and offers a compelling agenda covering the hottest topics in clean water law. The conference program features some of the top clean water experts in the country, including senior EPA officials and leading clean water attorneys. These dynamic speakers will address some of the most critical legal and regulatory issues facing clean water utilities – integrated planning, enforcement and consent decree, nutrients, stormwater, and emerging technologies such as water reuse and green infrastructure.The Seminar has already received Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credit approval from a number of states including California, Colorado, Georgia, Missouri, New York, Texas, and Wisconsin, with additional CLE approvals from other states expected soon. A full list of CLE states is available here . Additional information on the Seminar and a current agenda is available on NACWA’s website. Be sure to join your clean water colleagues for this valuable educational and networking event!
Awaken the Leader Within – Attend the Water & Wastewater Leadership Center
The deadline for applications to the Water & Wastewater Leadership Center is next Friday, October 26, 2012. Specifically designed for utility professionals, the Leadership Center is a two-week, intensive residential leadership program focused on leadership development, strategic thinking, and effective management practices. Held in conjunction with the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, Kenan-Flagler Business School, the Leadership Center prepares utility executives with the management and leadership skills they need to meet the challenges of today. Key course elements include unlimited peer networking; a 360 degree personal leadership assessment; preparation of an individual action plan; and, experiential learning through change management simulations.With over a decade of experience educating and advising utility executives, the Leadership Center offers an unparalleled opportunity for utility executives who wish to enhance their management skills and further develop their leadership potential. The 2013 Water & Wastewater Leadership Center will be held February 24 – March 8, 2013. Class sizes are limited to ensure an intimate and personalized learning environment. Applications are due Friday, October 26, 2012. For additional information visit the NACWA website or contact Program Manager, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . |