Since 2001, the Government Affairs Office of the American Water Works Association (AWWA) hosts an event known as the Water Matters Fly-In in Washington, DC. The event represents a significant initiative of the Water Utility Council of AWWA, which is charged with providing oversight of the government affairs program. The purpose of the Water Matter Read More
Cybersecurity Advisory Regarding Iranian-Affiliated Cyber Attacks
Four Federal entities issued a joint advisory to American organizations, including those in the water sector, about an urgent and ongoing Iranian-affiliated cybersecurity threat. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), and National Security Agency (NSA) warn that American organizations from multiple critical infrastructure sectors have Read More
Microplastics, Pharmaceuticals, and PFAS Included on Sixth Contaminant Candidate List
For the first time, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) is including microplastics as a priority contaminant group. The draft Sixth Contaminant Candidate List (CCL 6) is now open for public comment. The CCL 6 also includes pharmaceuticals as a group for the first time, as well as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), disinfection byproducts, Read More
Understanding Anti-Degradation in Wastewater Permitting
As communities expand wastewater treatment capacity, regulatory requirements can become as complex as the project design/engineering itself. Among the most nuanced requirements is anti-degradation, also known as non-degradation, a policy rooted in the Clean Water Act (CWA) that is increasingly relevant for growing systems. While technology-based effluent limits (TBELs) such as biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) Read More
Chlorobenzene Under Review by MN Department of Health
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is taking a closer look at the chemical Chlorobenzene. The MDH Health Risk Assessment Unit began a chemical review of chlorobenzene in March. The agency reviews chemical toxicity information in response to requests from State agencies and individuals to determine if health-based guidance values need to be developed or Read More
USEPA Announces CCL 5 Contaminant Regulatory Determinations
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) announced in mid-March that it will not develop regulations for nine of the 81contaminants listed on the Fifth Contaminant Candidate List (CCL5). The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) requires USEPA to make regulatory determinations every five years on at least five unregulated contaminants. USEPA used a three-phase process to Read More