Washington Report

EPA Headquarters building at the Federal Triangle in Washington, DC.

WOTUS amended to conform to Supreme Court decision

September 11, 2023 at 10:45 am 0 comments

In late August, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of the Army (the agencies) announced a final rule to amend the definition of “waters of the United States” to conform with the recent Supreme Court decision in Sackett v. EPA. The agenciesRead More

Water sector reiterates call to fully fund SRFs in 2024

Water sector reiterates call to fully fund SRFs in 2024

September 5, 2023 at 7:45 am 0 comments

In August, 18 water sector organizations including those representing U.S. utility systems, wrote to Congress to reiterate support for funding the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (SRFs) to the maximum authorization in federal law, $3 billion each, for fiscal year 2024. InRead More

EPA announces $50 million in grants for stormwater, sewer needs

EPA announces $50 million in grants for stormwater, sewer needs

August 14, 2023 at 9:04 am 0 comments

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced the availability of nearly $50 million in regular funding through the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant program to help communities address stormwater and sewer infrastructure needs. States may now apply for grant assistance to fundRead More

NACWA warns against proposed ‘radical spending cuts’ to SRFs in FY24

NACWA warns against proposed ‘radical spending cuts’ to SRFs in FY24

July 17, 2023 at 7:39 am 0 comments

The National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) expressed deep concern last week about the potential for Congress to move forward on massive spending cuts being proposed for the Clean and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) programs. These programs had been previously designated forRead More

AWWA: EPA ‘should consider withdrawing’ proposed NPDWR for PFOA, PFOS

AWWA: EPA ‘should consider withdrawing’ proposed NPDWR for PFOA, PFOS

June 5, 2023 at 12:30 pm 0 comments

In public comments submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) last week, two water sector associations representing the drinking water sector offered strong recommendations to the agency’s proposed National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) for PFAS. The American Water Works Association (AWWA) and AssociationRead More

Supreme Court narrows wetlands protections; Biden’s EPA ‘disappointed’ with decision

Supreme Court narrows wetlands protections; Biden’s EPA ‘disappointed’ with decision

May 30, 2023 at 9:04 am 0 comments

In a blow to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) authority over some water bodies, the Supreme Court last week ruled to narrow the scope of the “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) definition and how EPA can regulate wetlands under the Clean Water Act.Read More

PFAS in the Crosshairs

PFAS in the Crosshairs

May 22, 2023 at 6:30 am 0 comments

Examining EPA’s Proposed Maximum Contaminant Levels for ‘Forever Chemicals’ in Drinking Water In the world of water utility finance, it’s widely known that ratepayers like residents and businesses represent the primary source of revenue for local water and sewer systems. Therefore, when regulatory mandates comeRead More

EPA issues order to Baltimore for SDWA compliance

EPA issues order to Baltimore for SDWA compliance

May 18, 2023 at 9:00 am 0 comments

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a unilateral administrative order (UAO) to the City of Baltimore to comply with Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) safeguards designed to protect public health from “illnesses linked to Cryptosporidium, Giardia and other bacteria from animal waste whichRead More

BABA at the Bar

BABA at the Bar

May 15, 2023 at 9:09 am 0 comments

By Wayne Hofmann An engineer, a contractor and a utility owner walked into a bar. They had just finished a long day reviewing plans at the construction site, and they were all feeling a little drained. They ordered their drinks and saddled up to theRead More

EPA proposes to establish first-time CWA protections for more than 250 tribes

EPA proposes to establish first-time CWA protections for more than 250 tribes

May 9, 2023 at 11:10 am 0 comments

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced proposed federal baseline water quality standards for waterbodies on Indian reservations that do not have Clean Water Act standards, ensuring protections for over half a million people living on Indian reservations as well as critical aquatic ecosystems.Read More