Guest Columns

Senate introduces FLOW Act to streamline LSL replacement financing

Senate introduces FLOW Act to streamline LSL replacement financing

Washington Report, Water Management September 26, 2022 at 11:17 am

A Senate version of the Financing Lead Out of Water (FLOW) Act was introduced last week after months of work by water sector stakeholders. The legislation, which has a companion bill in the House of Representatives, is sponsored by Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), and wasRead More

EPA proposes rule designating PFOA, PFOS as hazardous substances under CERCLA

EPA proposes rule designating PFOA, PFOS as hazardous substances under CERCLA

Washington Report September 6, 2022 at 8:44 am

The U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Aug. 26 released a pre-publication version of a rule that would designate the two most common per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) — perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) — as hazardous substances under the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation,Read More

As the Akron team continued to refine its treatment strategies, it discovered that optimal treatment 
resulted in less chemical use than they had previously relied upon. Filter performance was also 
substantially improved.

COMMENTARY: How Can Mass Spectrometry Techniques Identify and Curb ‘Forever Chemicals?’

Commentary, Guest Columns August 22, 2022 at 9:27 am

By Craig Butt As government regulators seek to limit per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) – which are chemicals linked to a range of health and environmental risks – testing for these chemicals has proven challenging. Called “forever chemicals” because of the extreme resistance to breakdownRead More

AMWA voices support for Build America, Buy America waivers

AMWA voices support for Build America, Buy America waivers

Washington Report, Water Finance August 22, 2022 at 8:51 am

The Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA), representing large U.S. drinking water systems, submitted a pair of comments this month pertaining to proposed waivers of Build America, Buy America (BABA) requirements for EPA program-funded projects. EPA has previously proposed temporary public interest waivers for projects funded byRead More

Extend WIFIA’s Maximum Term…As a First Step

Extend WIFIA’s Maximum Term…As a First Step

Financial Report, Guest Columns, Water Finance August 8, 2022 at 9:17 am

By John Ryan U.S. public infrastructure renewal was never going to be easy, but several current trends suggest that it will soon be even more challenging. Federal infrastructure loan programs are a proven policy tool, and their capabilities should be expanded in specific and practicalRead More

Washington Report: Senate approves Water Resources Development Act package

Washington Report: Senate approves Water Resources Development Act package

Washington Report, Water Finance August 1, 2022 at 8:28 am

The Senate last week approved its 2022 version of the Water Resources Development Act, biennial legislation that authorizes a variety of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers flood control, navigation, and ecosystem restoration projects and studies. The Senate’s amended version of H.R. 7776 passed by a tally of 93–1, andRead More

Spending bill with $11.5 billion for EPA passes in House

Spending bill with $11.5 billion for EPA passes in House

Washington Report, Water Finance July 25, 2022 at 8:12 am

The U.S. House of Representatives in July passed a six-bill spending package for fiscal year 2023, one of which is a $44.8 billion FY 2023 Interior-EPA spending bill that would fund EPA with $11.5 billion. The EPA funding included in the larger bill remained the same as approved byRead More

EPA selects members for Environmental Financial Advisory Board

EPA selects members for Environmental Financial Advisory Board

Washington Report, Water Finance July 7, 2022 at 3:46 pm

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael S. Regan has announced the appointment of 30 members, including both new and returning members, to the Environmental Financial Advisory Board (EFAB). The EFAB provides advice to the EPA Administrator and the agency’s programs and regional offices on innovativeRead More

EPA announces new drinking water health advisories for PFAS

EPA announces new drinking water health advisories for PFAS

Washington Report, Water Management June 20, 2022 at 8:48 am

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released four drinking water health advisories for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the latest action under President Joe Biden’s action plan to deliver clean water and EPA Administrator Michael Regan’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap. The agency also announced that itRead More

Digital Asset Management: Dynamic Use of Relative Re-Investment Budgets

Digital Asset Management: Dynamic Use of Relative Re-Investment Budgets

Commentary, Financial Report, Guest Columns June 20, 2022 at 8:09 am

Over the past 25 years, Nordic water experts have taken a proactive approach to digital asset management and data-driven decision making that U.S. utilities can learn from to optimize CAPEX spending, reduce OPEX, and ensure efficient and resilient service. By Ulrich Borup Hansen & AndreasRead More