Guest Columns

AMWA: Action needed on Build Back Better bill

AMWA: Action needed on Build Back Better bill

Washington Report, Water Finance February 14, 2022 at 8:57 am

The Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA) wrote to Democratic House and Senate leaders earlier in February in support of including funding for lead service line replacement projects and water affordability initiatives in the final version of legislation to implement President Biden’s Build Back BetterRead More

City of Pomona water contamination verdict upheld by federal judge

City of Pomona water contamination verdict upheld by federal judge

Legal Corner, Water Management February 3, 2022 at 6:00 am

Recently, the City of Pomona, Calif., got one step closer to winning its 10-year lawsuit against the U.S. subsidiary of a Chilean fertilizer manufacturer for contaminating the Southern California city’s drinking water. The defendant had sold Chilean fertilizer used in the area’s citrus orchards whichRead More

Biden’s EPA takes further action to mandate LSL replacement

Biden’s EPA takes further action to mandate LSL replacement

Washington Report, Water Management January 3, 2022 at 6:00 am

On Dec. 16, 2021, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) long-awaited Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) took effect, nearly a year after they were finalized by the then-outgoing Trump Administration. The Biden administration marked the occasion by announcing a new Lead Pipe and Paint Action PlanRead More

old pipe

EPA intends to ‘strengthen’ lead and copper regulations as LCR revisions take effect

Washington Report, Water Management December 17, 2021 at 3:06 pm

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael S. Regan announced that the agency will begin developing a new regulation to better protect communities from exposure to lead in drinking water. EPA says it is committed to using every tool available—statutory authority under the Safe Drinking WaterRead More

EPA invites 39 new projects to apply for WIFIA loans

EPA invites 39 new projects to apply for WIFIA loans

Public Utility Finance, Washington Report, Water Finance December 10, 2021 at 2:29 pm

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that 39 new projects are being invited to apply for Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loans and four projects are being added to a waitlist. The agency anticipates that, as funds become available, $6.7 billion inRead More

House passes Build Back Better Act with additional water provisions

House passes Build Back Better Act with additional water provisions

Public Utility Finance, Washington Report, Water Finance November 22, 2021 at 9:23 am

In November, the U.S. House of Representatives narrowly passed a $1.75 trillion social spending bill that, according to the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA), includes more than $10 billion for several water-related priorities. These funds would come in addition to the nearly $50 billion in newRead More

COMMENTARY: When it comes to water utility asset management, data is power

COMMENTARY: When it comes to water utility asset management, data is power

Commentary, Water Finance, Water Management November 15, 2021 at 5:17 am

By Michele Samuels Crisis management and emergency response are terms all too familiar to water utilities. As providers of one of our most essential customer services, utility operators have a proven track record in pragmatic problem-solving to ensure continuity for their communities. But as new threatsRead More

Biden signs Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act with funding boosts for the water sector

Biden signs Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act with funding boosts for the water sector

Washington Report November 12, 2021 at 4:13 pm

After months of negotiation and several delayed votes, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the bipartisan, $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act this month, which was first approved by the Senate in August. President Joe Biden signed the bill into law on Monday. AccordingRead More

Lawsuit filed against 3M, DuPont, others over LA County PFAS contamination

Lawsuit filed against 3M, DuPont, others over LA County PFAS contamination

Legal Corner, Public Utility Finance, Water Management November 12, 2021 at 11:13 am

SL Environmental Law Group has filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Water Replenishment District (WRD) against 3M Company, E.I. DuPont de Nemours, Inc., and other manufacturers of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) for their involvement in the manufacture and sale of per and poly-fluoroalkyl substancesRead More

NACWA, AMWA to partner for Water Utility Resilience Forum in Miami

NACWA, AMWA to partner for Water Utility Resilience Forum in Miami

In the wake of the global pandemic and among other pressing challenges facing the water utility sector, resilience has emerged as a top issue. To highlight this, the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) and the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA) are co-hostingRead More