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NACWA’s Board of Directors adopt-
ed a resolution in April 2012 making
clear that Association members will,
as appropriate and feasible, support
the collection of data concern-
ing nutrient impacts. The Board’s
action serves as recognition of the
importance of high-quality and
robust data on nutrients in advanc-
ing efforts to improve water quality.
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NACWA was instrumental in secur-
ing language in the Senate Farm Bill
that provides targeted funding for
agricultural producers who engage
in nutrient management activi-
ties. As a result of the Association’s
collaborative advocacy efforts,
the bill establishes the Regional
Conservation Partnership Program
to encourage partnerships between
agricultural operators and entities
such as POTWs, non governmental
organizations (NGOs) and govern-
mental agencies to focus on improv-
ing farm conservation practices.
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NACWA engaged EPA on their work
to develop revised recreational water
quality criteria. An Association
working group developed detailed
comments on the Agency’s Decem-
ber 2011 proposed revisions and
met with EPA numerous times to
relay the clean water community’s
concerns about the Agency’s rapid
test method – and the need for
implementation guidance before the
criteria are released in final form.
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NACWA played an active role in
a March 2012 press conference
held by the Healthy Waters Coali-
tion (Coalition), a diverse group
of Washington-based municipal
water, wastewater groups, conserva-
tion organizations, state agencies,
and agriculture and forest opera-
tions led by the Association. At the
press conference, the Coalition
announced key policy recommenda-
tions for the Farm Bill that focused
on strengthening the link between
agricultural land and water quality.
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NACWA actively monitored EPA’s
development of revised, more
stringent water quality criteria for
ammonia. Recognizing the poten-
tial impacts the new criteria would
have on the clean water community,
NACWA urged EPA to address the
anticipated implementation chal-
lenges before releasing the final
criteria values. As a result, EPA re-
vised its timetable and is working on
implementation guidance to be re-
leased concurrently with the criteria.
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NACWA engaged in active col-
laboration with the American Public
Works Association (APWA) and
the Water Environment Federation
(WEF) on the issue of flushable
wipes and other non-dispersible
products in sewer systems. Together
the groups sought better testing
and labeling of products from
product manufacturers and retail-
ers – potentially reducing overflows
and maintenance costs for utilities.
projects supported by NACWA’s Targeted Action Fund