» Clean Water Current Archive

February 3, 2012

NACWA Prominent at First EPA Integrated Planning Workshop

NACWA representatives participated in the first of five workshops on EPA’s integrated planning framework on Tuesday in Atlanta, Georgia.  Representatives from the Water Environment Federation (WEF), the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the Association of Clean Water Administrators (ACWA), and several environmental groups participated, along with more than 50 observers.  Following presentations from EPA, the stakeholder representatives engaged in facilitated discussions on the framework principles and elements, as well as implementation issues.  All of the stakeholders generally supported the objective of EPA’s framework – to provide communities with greater flexibility to plan and prioritize their Clean Water Act investments.  There were, however, significant concerns about how the planning process would work in the real world, i.e. how burdensome drafting the integrated plan might be, and how it would relate to existing planning efforts.  EPA stressed its desire to keep the framework brief to avoid being overly prescriptive, but most stakeholders agreed that additional details will be needed in key areas.

There was significant discussion around the issue of financial capability and how a community’s ability to pay would be determined through the integrated planning process.  EPA stressed that there is “no single answer” and noted that the Agency is trying to get away from the idea that there is a minimum amount that must be spent, or a threshold that must be met.

A top concern for NACWA has been ensuring that any integrated planning effort begins with an evaluation of the underlying water quality standard to determine whether it is attainable.  During the workshop, EPA raised this issue, noting the important role of use attainability analyses and other existing Clean Water Act tools.

EPA indicated that it plans to finalize the integrated planning framework by the end of March, providing a ‘green light’ to communities who choose to develop integrated plans.  The next workshop will take place on Monday, February 6 in New York City, followed by workshops in Seattle (February 13), Kansas City, Kansas (February 15), and Chicago (February 17).  NACWA will participate in each of the workshops and will submit written comments to EPA by the February 29 deadline.  A working draft of NACWA’s comments is available for use by members planning to participate in the workshops.  EPA is asking all observers to pre-register via their website to ensure they have sufficient space for everyone.  NACWA encourages its members to register and attend.

NACWA Committee Focuses on Strong Messaging as EPA Initiative Progresses

NACWA’s Communications & Public Relations (PR) Committee conducted a web-based meeting this week to discuss EPA’s new integrated planning initiative and strategies for public utilities to develop strong messaging and outreach to their local stakeholders.  The call included a summary of EPA’s first Integrated Planning Workshop in Atlanta, Georgia (see related story) and featured several guest presenters.  Julia Anastasio of the American Public Works Association (APWA) discussed interim steps that utilities can take to ensure that local decision-makers and ratepayers recognize the need for regulatory prioritization.  These steps include drafting op-eds, raising public awareness through social media, and using their state and regional association newsletters, meetings and conferences as venues to discuss this key effort.

Case studies were also provided by representatives from the King County Department of Natural Resources & Parks in Seattle, Wash. and DC Water in Washington, DC.  King County and DC Water agreed on the importance of gaining the public’s trust through outreach – and the critical task of communicating the need for prioritization as compliance costs continue to escalate and rates increase significantly.  Both member agencies have had significant success garnering positive, accurate media attention and both provided insights on concise messaging for often complex technical issues.  The growing need to address the ‘social implications’ of increased investment to address the next level of water quality benefit and how that can siphon local resources from other vital community priorities was also discussed.

Presentations and the agenda from the meeting are available on NACWA’s website.  The PR Committee will hold additional web meetings throughout the year.  Public agencies interested in becoming involved are invited to join the NACWA Committee.  To become a member of this, or any other NACWA committee, visit www.nacwa.org/joincommittee.

EPA Science Advisory Panel Considers Aquatic Life Impacts of Pesticides

EPA’s Office of Water (OW) and Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) continued their effort to develop a common methodology for characterizing the effects of pesticides on aquatic life by convening a three-day meeting of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide & Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) Science Advisory Panel (SAP).  Currently, the methods used by OW and OPP to evaluate aquatic life impacts are different, with OPP’s requirements for approving pesticides under FIFRA generally less stringent than OW’s toxicity testing requirements.  While the Common Effects Assessment Methodology being developed by EPA will not make the testing procedures identical, it should make the procedures and analysis of impacts more parallel.  This week’s meeting allowed EPA to present their current analyses of test methods and toxicity data to the FIFRA SAP for review and comment.

The Common Effects Assessment Methodology is important to NACWA Member Agencies because they have little or no control over the pesticides that may contribute to toxicity test failures.  For this reason, NACWA is urging EPA to make certain that the new assessment methodology ensures that OPP’s approach does not cause toxicity to the species used in OW’s aquatic toxicity testing.  NACWA has been following this EPA effort for some time and provided input to the Agency in comments last year.  The Association participated in the meeting this week to ensure it continues to protect POTWs from bearing the responsibility and cost for pesticide-related issues beyond their control and will notify members when the SAP recommendations are available.  EPA plans to complete the Methodology later this year.

Clean Water Act & Clean Air Act 101: It All Starts Here

NACWA is pleased to offer a two-part web seminar series on the critical federal statutes that impact virtually every aspect of your utility operations.  Whether new to the clean water arena, or a seasoned professional, this series offers a unique opportunity for you and your agency’s staff.

Clean Water Act 101, March 8 from 2:00 – 3:30 pm Eastern, will provide a valuable overview of the Clean Water Act’s (CWA) statutory provisions and regulations related to the important topics impacting public clean water agencies, from water quality standards, effluent limitations, total maximum daily loads (TMDLs), use attainability, pretreatment, biosolids management, enforcement and more. Conducted by two leading CWA attorneys, this invaluable seminar will serve as an excellent introduction to, or refresher on, the Clean Water Act.

The second session of this series, Clean Air Act 101, will take place on March 15 from 2:00 – 3:30 pm Eastern.  At a time when clean water agencies are being forced to address air emission issues under the Clean Air Act (CAA) more than ever before, this informative seminar, led by two legal experts on CAA issues, will cover a variety of topics including new rules for sewage sludge incinerators (SSIs), the Greenhouse Gas Tailoring Rule, new Toxics Release Inventory reporting requirements for hydrogen sulfide, and new rules on boilers and engines. All of these air regulations could impact POTWs, and this web seminar will outline what every clean water utility should know.

Register Today!
Registration is $250 for the two-part series, or $150 for an individual seminar.  We invite you to gather your staff together in a group learning environment for these exceptional, high-value seminars.

Peak Performance Award Applications Are Available – Apply Today!

NACWA is currently accepting applications for its 2011 Peak Performance Awards.  Member Agencies with eligible treatment facilities are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible.  The Peak Performance Awards acknowledge Member Agency treatment facilities for excellence in wastewater treatment as measured by compliance with their National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit requirements.  The deadline for submissions for the Peak Performance Awards program is April 6, 2012.  Visit NACWA’s website for more information on the Peak Performance Awards program and apply today!