Monday Morning Briefing

Description

Our Monday Morning Briefing offers weekly coverage of all the latest water policy news. The latest issue of MMB is available for everyone to read but you must be a member to see the archives.

Past Issues (Join or Login to Continue)

August 10, 2020

New AMWA website debuts late this week

Rebuilt amwa.net improves user experience.

FEMA releases 2020 funding notices for mitigation grants

Grants include $500 million for new resilience program.

WaterISAC to convene disinformation webinar

National experts will discuss an emerging threat.

EPA plans August 18 Effective Utility Management webinar

Session to review roadmap to water system continuous improvement.

Sacramento area utilities collaborate on dashboard of needed infrastructure projects

AMWA welcomes sharing of tools that may be of interest to broader membership.

NOAA, Interior seek comment on two potential definitions for “habitat” in ESA

“Habitat” is not currently defined in the Endangered Species Act.

Registration open for WateReuse Virtual Symposium

Online event set for September 14-16.

This Week In Congress

Relief package negotiators are far apart on key issues.

August 3, 2020

AMWA defends science-based contaminant regulatory process in hearing testimony

Association appears at congressional hearing to explore changes to how EPA regulates drinking water contaminants.

Democrats and Republicans lay out markers on next COVID-19 package

Lawmakers work to reach deal on next response legislation before departing on summer break.

EPA finalizes rule to reduce lead in plumbing materials

Rule drops allowable lead levels from eight percent to 0.25 percent.

House easily approves water resource bill

Vote sets the stage for fall negotiations with Senate that could include drinking water policies.

Michigan adopts some of the most stringent PFAS drinking water limits in the nation

New regulations for PFNA, PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, GenX, PFBS, PFHxA to go into effect August 3.

July 27, 2020

SDWA hearing, WRDA vote, COVID negotiations on tap this week

AMWA set to testify at virtual hearing on drinking water regulatory reforms.

House advances EPA spending bill with WIFIA restrictions

Lawmakers add amendment calling to protect WIFIA projects currently awaiting funding.

Federal agencies urge immediate infrastructure protection actions

Joint bulletin highlights risks to control systems.

WaterISAC releases latest threat analysis report

Analysis includes pandemic effects among trending threats.

AMWA management conference topic survey, call for abstracts ends July 29

Deadline is Wednesday to weigh in on agenda, submit proposals for virtual October meeting.

NOAA announces grant funding for coastal climate adaptation funding

Project awards expected to range from $50,000 to $300,000.

Progress made on National Water Reuse Action Plan implementation

EPA says 80 milestones have been achieved to date.

Final determination to not regulate perchlorate hits Federal Register

Natural Resources Defense Council argues that EPA is violating consent decree.

July 20, 2020

Trump administration finalizes National Environmental Policy Act changes

Final rule marks conclusion of first major overhaul of NEPA regulations in over 40 years.

PFAS, spending votes queued up on Capitol Hill

Congress begins action-packed stretch before summer break.

EPA seeks applicants for latest round of WIFIA loans

Utilities have 90 days to request a share of $5 billion in water infrastructure funds.

AWWA releases new survey on the public’s perception of tap water

Poll reports four in five Americans served by a water utility say the quality of their tap water is excellent or good.

Comments sought on development of fifth National Climate Assessment

AMWA plans comments on proposed themes and framework.

July 13, 2020

Spat over federal project eligibility threatens WIFIA projects

AMWA pushes back on appropriations measure that would fund FY21 loans by rescinding unobligated balances from previous years.

Draft EPA spending bill features level funding, new infusion of emergency cash

House panel proposes to keep regular SRF funding flat but also seeks billions in additional emergency infrastructure investments.

Senator eyes municipal relief through “American Infrastructure Bonds”

New legislation would help communities raise capital for water, other projects.

EPA releases COVID-19 financial impact tool

Spreadsheet tool can assist utilities assess the financial impacts of coronavirus

Learn the basics of the Toxic Substances Control Act in new webinar series hosted by ASDWA

EPA speakers will give overview of TSCA in July 24 webinar.

July 6, 2020

EPA to terminate temporary enforcement discretion policy August 31

Policy was originally put in place to address noncompliance issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

House approves massive infrastructure bill with loan funds, lead service line replacement funds

$1.5 trillion proposal is not expected to see action in the Senate.

Water infrastructure funding, community resilience featured in House climate outline

Select Committee on the Climate Crisis offers roadmap to addressing climate change.

AMWA continues to argue drinking water exposure should be included in TSCA risk evaluations

Latest letter addresses EPA’s recent assessment for perchloroethylene.

AMWA joins effort to extend federal relief funds to special districts

Water districts urged to contact lawmakers in support of new legislation.

Federal government releases Spring 2020 Unified Agenda

Final rule for the Lead and Copper Rule revisions, UCMR 5 proposal expected this September.

June 29, 2020

DWSRF reauthorization, PFAS grants included in House infrastructure plan

$1.5 trillion proposal collects previously discussed policy ideas.

AMWA’s latest COVID-19 webinar recording leads resource page additions

Lessons learned, observed financial trends among topics discussed.

Reminder: AMWA management awards application deadline is July 15

Entries due soon for Gold, Platinum, and Sustainability Awards.

Creating a Cybersecurity Culture – July 8 webinar

Session features case studies from two utilities.

EPA releases EPANET 2.2.0: An EPA and Water Community Collaboration

Updated modeling tool is designed to increase understanding of water quality transport processes in distribution systems.

AMWA supports proposed increased transparency in development of EPA guidances

Association requests the agency increase time allotted for public engagement.

Registration open for 35th Annual WateReuse Virtual Symposium

Program is scheduled for September 14-16.

June 22, 2020

EPA issues final decision: agency will not regulate perchlorate

Chemical determined not to occur in drinking water with a frequency and at levels of public health concern.

Infrastructure vote on deck in House of Representatives

Democratic leaders fold water infrastructure reauthorizations into $1.5 trillion infrastructure package.

AMWA’s June 25 COVID-19 webinar highlights lessons learned on resilience

Sixth edition features water execs from Richmond, New Orleans.

AMWA collects new toolkit for COVID-19 page

New DHS disinformation resource targets inaccurate information about pandemic.

WaterSMART water efficiency funding opportunity announced, drought program deadline extended

Bureau of Reclamation grant programs are available to western water districts and utilities.

AMWA joins push for smart water technology aid

Water sector coalition urges funding to promote high-tech water solutions.

June 15, 2020

AMWA backs EPA’s proposal to regulate PFOA and PFOS

Comments on Fourth Regulatory Determination outline for future regulations.

AMWA seeks COVID-19 aid for public utilities

Municipal sector organizations unite to call for revenue aid in next response package.

EPA solicits nominations to fill five vacancies for appointment to NDWAC

Agency is accepting nominations until July 13, members will serve three-year terms.

AMWA COVID-19 webinar to discuss lessons learned by speakers, participants

Registration required for June 25 event.

AMWA continues COVID-19 resource collection

Refreshed AMWA-WaterISAC resource is highlight of last week’s additions.

Water workforce diversity, effective utility management take spotlight in EPA webinars

Online programs in June offer resources for water sector managers.

Resilience webinar recording and materials posted online

June 3 webinar was hosted by AMWA and NACWA.

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