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A
n array of key stakeholder groups gathered for a facilitated
discussion on November 18 in San Antonio, as part of
NACWA’s
Fall Strategic Leadership Retreat
, to share organi-
zational perspectives and priorities on the emergent water
sector utility. Participants included both utilities and federal agen-
cies such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the
Department of Energy (DOE) – as well as association representatives
from throughout the water sector including the Association of Clean
Water Administrators (ACWA), the American Public Works Association
(APWA), the Association of MetropolitanWater Agencies (AMWA),
the Water Environment Federation (WEF), the Water Environment
Research Foundation (WERF), the AmericanWater Works Association
(AWWA), the WateReuse Association, the U.S. Water Alliance (USWA),
and NACWA. The dialogue identified ‘influential drivers’ impacting
the water sector and its utilities – as well as ‘ingredients for success’ and
the key priorities of the participating organizations. All participating
organizations will be provided a high level synthesis of the dialogue,
and future opportunities for collaboration are anticipated.
Leadership Retreat Offers Insights, Drivers & Priorities
R
epresentative Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), along with
Representatives Richard Hanna (R-PA), Tim Bishop (D-
NY), John Duncan (R-TN), Donna Edwards (D-MD), Ed
Whitfield (R-KY), JimMoran (D-VA), and Thomas Petri
(R-WI) introduced bipartisan legislation,
The Water Protection and
Reinvestment Trust Fund Act of 2013
(H.R. 3582), to establish a volun-
tary federal trust fund for investments in clean water infrastructure.
The Water Protection and Reinvestment Act
establishes a voluntary fed-
eral trust fund for investments in clean water infrastructure. Under
the legislation, the makers of water-based beverages and flushable
products could opt to put a clean water logo on their products in
exchange for a 3-cent fee on each bottle or product. The revenue
from this fee would go towards a
Water Infrastructure Investment Trust
Fund
, of which 85 percent would be allocated to the Clean Water
State Revolving Fund. The remaining 15 percent would fund a
Water
Infrastructure Finance & Innovation Authority
(WIFIA) that would pro-
vide low-cost capital to clean water infrastructure projects. NACWA
has long supported a national clean water trust fund as a way to
provide communities with federal support to meet Clean Water Act
goals. The Association marked the bill’s introduction with a
applauding Rep. Blumenauer for his leadership.
Bipartisan Trust Fund
Legislation Introduced
Kirk Recognized at WEFTEC13
NACWA Executive Director, Ken Kirk, received the Water
Environment Federation’s Honorary Membership Award from
WEF President, Cordell Samuels (left) at the WEF Awards &
Presidential Celebration in October. The Award recognizes pre-
eminence in the water profession.
NACWA Law Seminar a Resounding Success
Over 100 clean water attorneys, professionals, and utility managers from
around the country gathered in San Antonio at the end of November
to discuss critical legal and regulatory challenges facing the clean water
community as part of NACWA’s 2013
National Clean Water Law Seminar
.
The three-day program, held in association with the Texas Association of
Clean Water Agencies (TACWA), featured top legal experts from around
the country covering a wide range of key issues impacting municipal
wastewater and stormwater utilities.
Speakers included the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s key staff
for its Integrated Planning initiative, Mark Pollins (left), Director, Water
Enforcement Division, Office of Enforcement & Compliance Assurance,
and Deborah Nagle, Director of the Water Permits Division, Office of
Water. Presentations are available on NACWA’s
