New permits cover water utility lines and water reuse projects.
November 2020
NDWAC to meet virtually December 2.
Agency begins risk management process to mitigate identified "unreasonable risks."
Regulatory Report
Description
AMWA's monthly Regulatory Report provides members with a detailed breakdown of the most pressing regulatory developments and the newest science in drinking water.
Past Issues
October 2020
Letter reiterates the need to define terms in the proposed rule.
Comments say proposed DOE standards for showerheads, washing machines would increase water use nationally.
Trump administration initiative established water subcabinet meant to ensure greater federal coordination.
September 2020
Revamped approach identifies drinking water costs among metrics for consideration.
Public now able to petition for removal or reinstatement of guidances.
Rule goes into effect October 1, 2020, requirements must be implemented by September 1, 2023.
Rule sets effluent limits for flue gas desulfurization wastewater and bottom ash transport water.
Requirements further restrict the amount of lead that can leach from plumbing products.
Site uses data from 110 stream and river sites with long-term, consistent data on water-quality.
Center is taking applications until December 1, winners eligible for cash prizes.
August 2020
Association’s most recent letter gives specific actions for EPA to improve protection of source waters.
New York also becomes first state to regulate 1,4,-dioxane in drinking water.
Association calls for agency to use SDWA compliance monitoring data in future modeling efforts.
Funds to benefit individuals, property owners, and businesses affected by the city’s transition of its public water supply to the Flint River.
Rule drops allowable lead levels to 0.25 percent, reverses proposed labeling requirement.
Agency issues corresponding fact sheet for frequently asked health questions.
Suit seeks order declaring the rule unlawful and the reinstating of previous NEPA regulations.
Report finds program has been successful in maintaining and enhancing water quality for over 20 years.
Agency will award $50k for best design concept to destroy PFAS through non-incineration methods.
July 2020
Policy originally put in place to address noncompliance issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Final revisions to the LCR, UCMR 5 proposal, and final NEPA update to be released this coming September.
Most recent letter addresses EPA’s draft assessment for perchloroethylene.
Final rule marks conclusion to first major overhaul of NEPA regulations in over four decades.
Poll reports four in five Americans served by a water utility say the quality of their tap water is excellent or good.
Update marks another milestone under agency’s PFAS Action Plan.
Analysis finds a funding gap of $375 million for state programs in 2020, increasing to $469 million by 2029.
Natural Resources Defense Council argues that EPA is violating consent decree.
EPA joins USDA, Department of Defense, and Department of Health and Human Services for workshop on federal PFAS research.
Update to Environmental Appeals Board first in nearly three decades.
June 2020
Association’s comments on agency’s Fourth Regulatory Determination outline considerations for future regulations.
Agency determines chemical does not occur with a frequency and at levels of public health concern.
Association requests that EPA extend the minimum comment period for these documents from 30 days to 60.
Agency’s decision allows limited use of legacy PFAS, ignores AMWA's request to expand scope of rule.
Lead Service Line Replacement Collaborative hopes to highlight successful NGO and utility partnerships.
Document outlines steps to reduce risk of opportunistic pathogens in building water systems.
Associations urge agency to use sound science and robust analyses as agency evaluates drinking water standards.
Inclusion requires industries which produce or use these PFAS to submit annual reports to EPA.
Agency claims rule ensures U.S. energy security and limits misuse of the Clean Water Act by states.
State regulations are some of the strictest in the nation.
Fourteen members to serve on re-established board, reports outlines status and trends of ecosystem health indicators.
Tool meant to promote and support collaborative and creative solutions to safeguard nation’s waters.
Updated and expanded tool models water quality transport processes in drinking water distribution systems.
May 2020
Associations provide recommendations to help agency develop tools to communicate with the public.
Materials provide recommendations for building owners, managers, and public water systems.
Association continues support for overall goal of proposal, but again offers ways to strengthen the final rule.
Agency concludes there is infrequent occurrence of chemical at the levels of public health concern.
Agency intends to establish consistent requirements and procedures for the issuance of guidance documents.
EPA touts board’s supportive statements while glossing over reports numerous criticisms.
Research staff will focus on actions to address PFAS and protect public health.
Addition of substances to the TRI was required under the National Defense Authorization Act.
Agency taking comments on proposed criteria until July 21.
Watchdog hopes report will stir agency action on recommendations dating back to 2008.
April 2020
AMWA waits for clarification from EPA on impact to public water systems.
AMWA presses EPA to utilize its authorities under TSCA to prevent PFAS from entering the environment
Association pushes back on Significant New Use Rule proposal for long-chain PFAS.
Association asks EPA to reconsider agency's decision to ignore exposure from drinking water in recent TCE risk evaluation.
Deadline now June 10, 2020.
Navigable Waters Protection Rule to go into effect June 22, 2020.
High court says determination must be made on whether a release is the functional equivalent of a direct discharge.
Supplemental notice seeks to provide clarity for 2018 proposal, new comment deadline is May 18.
Proposed agreement lays out deadlines for CCL 5 and 6, revisions for existing drinking water regulations.
Document meant to bring awareness to the issue of water quality degradation due to idle plumbing.
Drinking Water Committee among those seeking to fill positions; nominations are due May 1.
California Senate Bill requires State Water Resources Control Board to adopt a definition by July 1, 2020.
Hundreds of water-quality constituents were tested from nearly 1100 deep water-supply wells.
March 2020
Associations claim extension is needed due to expansion of scope to include possible regulatory approaches for future PFAS.
Notice attempts to clarify aspects of 2018 proposal, which agency expects to finalize later this year.
Official notice follows January direction from Assistant Secretary R.D. James.
Updates include recent determination to regulate PFOA and PFOS.
Determinations of which regulatory actions to review now rest solely on SAB chair.
Completion of database fulfills mandate under October Executive Order.
February 2020
Association praises EPA’s work in developing the rule but identifies numerous shortcomings.
Proposed regulatory determination begins process that could lead to MCLs.
Association specifically requests that PFAS already included on the UCMR be added to the TRI.
Agency cites deregulatory actions, water infrastructure loans, and PFAS among top accomplishments.
Offers first funding through AMWA-backed program to aid lead service line replacement.