Washington Report

Bluefield analysis breaks down anticipated federal funding ‘cliff,’ factors

Bluefield analysis breaks down anticipated federal funding ‘cliff,’ factors

Washington Report, Water Finance September 8, 2026 at 1:45 pm

A new analysis from global water market data firm Bluefield Research said U.S. federal water infrastructure funding is set to plummet roughly 63% between fiscal year 2026 and fiscal year 2027, dropping from $23.4 billion to an estimated $8.6 billion. But Bluefield said there’s moreRead More

EPA releases new guidance for water systems on lead exposure

EPA releases new guidance for water systems on lead exposure

Washington Report, Water Management August 30, 2026 at 9:05 am

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released two new guidance documents to help drinking water systems that are working to keep their communities safe from lead.    The two documents, Access Tips and Service Line Inventory Tips, provide practical information to help water systems and states implement the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI). Read More

EPA to make $10.8 million grant available for recruitment, training

EPA to make $10.8 million grant available for recruitment, training

Washington Report, Water Finance August 25, 2026 at 2:05 pm

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the availability of $10.8 million in grant funding to support training for the water sector workforce. The agency said enhancing recruitment and training for workers in the water sector is more important than ever in light ofRead More

Court upholds hazardous substances designation for PFOA, PFOS under CERCLA

Court upholds hazardous substances designation for PFOA, PFOS under CERCLA

Legal Corner, Washington Report August 24, 2026 at 8:05 am

On Aug. 18, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit upheld the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) designation of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), also known as Superfund. EPARead More

EPA hosts roundtable on water workforce

EPA hosts roundtable on water workforce

Washington Report, Water Management August 10, 2026 at 10:35 am

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) convened a roundtable on Aug. 4 focused on the water workforce and how to better recruit and retain individuals into meaningful careers in water. The roundtable also concentrated on identifying opportunities where EPA can work to reduce barriers andRead More

EPA announces $30 million in RealWaterTA funds for small, rural utilities

EPA announces $30 million in RealWaterTA funds for small, rural utilities

Washington Report, Water Finance July 27, 2026 at 10:02 am

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced $30 million in grant funding, under EPA’s Real Water Technical Assistance Initiative, to provide training and technical assistance that will improve water quality in small and rural communities across America. Supporting small water systems in their work to meet requirements of the Safe Drinking WaterRead More

Water sector applauds efforts on WRDA, SRF reauthorization

Water sector applauds efforts on WRDA, SRF reauthorization

Washington Report, Water Finance July 20, 2026 at 8:05 am

The Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee voted unanimously to pass the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2026, that would also reauthorize the Drinking Water and Clean Water State Revolving Funds (SRF) programs. The Water Resources Development Act is biennial legislation that authorizesRead More

EPA waiving WIFIA fees for small communities

EPA waiving WIFIA fees for small communities

Washington Report, Water Finance July 2, 2026 at 9:05 am

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it will be waiving fees for small communities who apply for Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loans in fiscal years 2026 and 2027. EPA said waiving WIFIA application and credit processing fees would clear a “notableRead More

AMWA names interim CEO

AMWA names interim CEO

Washington Report, Water Management June 29, 2026 at 9:10 am

The Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA) has announced that Dan Hartnett, the association’s chief policy officer, has been appointed to serve as interim chief executive officer, effective July 1, 2026. Hartnett joined AMWA in 2007 as a legislative assistant and has served in severalRead More

House advances spending bill with proposed 16% SRF cut

House advances spending bill with proposed 16% SRF cut

Washington Report, Water Finance June 12, 2026 at 3:30 pm

In early June, the House Appropriations Committee held a full committee markup of the Fiscal Year 2027 (FY2027) Interior, Environment and Related Agencies spending bill that includes a 16% reduction in State Revolving Loan Fund (SRF) spending for water and wastewater projects.   According to a summaryRead More