Washington Report

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

Washington Report, Water Management May 9, 2023 at 11:10 am

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

National Water Policy Fly-In to headline Water Week 2023

National Water Policy Fly-In to headline Water Week 2023

Next week, water sector leaders will gather in the nation’s capital for Water Week, an annual week of in-person meetings, events and Capitol Hill visits with lawmakers to discuss the most critical issues facing water. The National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA), the WaterRead More

Biden administration announces billions in DWSRF funds for states, tribes, territories

Biden administration announces billions in DWSRF funds for states, tribes, territories

Washington Report, Water Finance, Water Management April 17, 2023 at 8:00 am

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced more than $6.5 billion for states, tribes and territories for essential drinking water infrastructure upgrades across the nation through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF).   Through President Joe Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA is increasingRead More

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

EPA to ‘aggressively confront’ PFAS with first-ever proposed standard

Washington Report, Water Finance, Water Management March 14, 2023 at 11:30 am

Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it is proposing the first-ever national drinking water standard for six per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as “forever chemicals.” The much anticipated announcement is the latest action under President Joe Biden’s plan to combat PFAS pollution andRead More

EPA’s 100th WIFIA loan to invest in Santa Clara County, California

EPA’s 100th WIFIA loan to invest in Santa Clara County, California

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced two Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loans totaling $115 million to Santa Clara Valley Water District in Santa Clara County, California, to improve resiliency of the system’s water infrastructure. The announcement marks the 99th and 100th loansRead More

Republican-led states sue EPA over WOTUS rule

Republican-led states sue EPA over WOTUS rule

Legal Corner, Washington Report, Water Management February 27, 2023 at 9:42 am

A group of two dozen Republican-controlled states is suing the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over the Biden administration’s Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule that the group is calling an overreach that could end up harming ranchers, farmers and homeowners. On Dec. 30, EPARead More

Stormwater research centers funded after WEF, NMSA support

Stormwater research centers funded after WEF, NMSA support

Washington Report, Water Finance, Water Management January 26, 2023 at 2:00 pm

Research centers focused on stormwater infrastructure will be established through federal funding after extensive support from the Water Environment Federation (WEF) and the National Municipal Stormwater Alliance (NMSA). Congress has provided $3 million in initial funding for the establishment of three to five Centers ofRead More

Congress announces negotiated WRDA 2022 legislation

Congress announces negotiated WRDA 2022 legislation

Washington Report, Water Management December 16, 2022 at 9:58 am

U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I), U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW), Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ranking Member of the EPW Committee, and Rep. SamRead More

Tracking EPA Actions on PFAS

Tracking EPA Actions on PFAS

Washington Report, Water Management December 1, 2022 at 1:16 pm

By Brian Redder The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) continues to execute actions outlined in its PFAS Strategic Roadmap, released in October 2021, to address issues related to PFAS contamination. Drinking water and wastewater utilities have played no role in producing, using or profiting fromRead More

WATCH: Why the water sector is calling for LSL replacement

WATCH: Why the water sector is calling for LSL replacement

As part of the virtual 2022 Water Asset Management Conference, WF&M hosted a panel discussion on lead service line rehabilitation, analyzing the requirements under the revised Lead and Copper Rule (LCRR) and the biggest challenges for utilities. Specifically, on the replacement part of LCRR, theRead More