News
GAO Letter: Open Priority Recommendations for EPA
This week the GAO sent a letter to EPA Administrator Zeldin calling attention to four program areas associated with nine Open Priority Recommendations. An “open recommendation” refers to a recommendation made in a GAO report that has not yet been implemented by the federal agency or designated as closed by the GAO. These recommendations are identified by the GAO to improve government operations, save taxpayer money, and/or address issues on the GAO’s High Risk List. Open recommendations remain open until the agency or department responsible has implemented the corrective action needed to address the recommendation, or until the GAO explicitly designates them as closed (either implemented or not implemented). Open Priority Recommendations listed for EPA that are associated with water include:
- EPA should develop a strategy for addressing cybersecurity risks to water and wastewater systems;
- EPA should develop and issue new regulations requiring that TMDLs include additional elements such as comprehensive identification of impairments and plans to monitor water bodies to verify water quality improvement;
- EPA should take more actions to document and define what a national HABs and hypoxia program would entail, including identifying the program’s resource needs;
- EPA should the ability oversee state implementation of the SDWA and provide Congress and the public with more complete and accurate information on compliance;
- EPA should develop a comprehensive system to identify water systems that might pose a higher likelihood for violating the Lead and Copper Rule once complete violations data are obtained;
- EPA should develop a strategic plan that meets WIIN Act requirements for providing targeted outreach, education, technical assistance, and risk communication to populations affected by the concentration of lead in public water systems;
The letter to EPA does acknowledge several activities EPA has undertaken to address these open priority recommendations. A copy of the entire letter can be found here: GAO-25-108095, Priority Open Recommendations: Environmental Protection Agency
Association Updates
Save The Date for ACWA’s 64th Annual Meeting in Madison, WI!
Dates: August 13-15th, 2025
Board of Directors will meet August 12th, 2025.
Lodging is now open for reservation!
Venue:
The Madison Concourse Hotel and Governor’s Club
One West Dayton Street, Madison, WI 53703
Room rate: $138 per night
View the draft agenda here.
Registration and more information will be coming soon. Check back here for more details.
2025 ACWA CWA Cross-Program Workshop – Registration and Draft Agenda
Dates: July 21-23, 2025
Location: Chicago (Rosemont), IL
Registration is now open for the 2025 CWA Cross-Program Workshop on July 21-23, 2025, in Chicago (Rosemont) at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare. The theme for this year’s Workshop will be “CWA Cross-Program Coordination to Improve Nutrient Management and Address Nutrient Pollution.” The 2025 Workshop is the third annual Cross-Program Workshop held in cooperation with EPA.
Registration: Please click here to register. There is no registration fee for this event.
Agenda: View the draft agenda here.
Objective: CWA Cross-Program Workshops are intended to bring together state, territorial, and federal CWA program administrators to discuss and share ways in which cross-program coordination and collaboration can be strengthened to more effectively and efficiently protect and restore our waters. The 2025 Workshop will focus on opportunities and challenges for administrators of CWA Sections 303(c), 303(d), and 402 in coordinating nutrient management and responses to nutrient pollution.
State, territorial, and federal clean water leaders will identify cross-program challenges and barriers to CWA implementation in the nutrients space; work toward solutions to cross cutting water quality topics; identify ways to improve technical capabilities; highlight opportunities for cross-program planning, implementation, and co-operation; and clarify linkages, roles, and responsibilities among CWA programs.
Participants: The Workshop target audience will be state/territorial clean water regulators with practical experience and responsibilities in supporting and managing CWA Section 303(c), 303(d), and/or 402 programs, particularly in the nutrients space, as well as EPA representatives for each of the programs. Attendees should come prepared to discuss ways in which cross-program coordination has been an important aspect of successful program and/or restoration plan implementation, as well as cross-program challenges and needs.
Travel Support: ACWA plans to provide limited state/territorial travel support in the form of a post-Workshop reimbursement. Please contact Ward Scott before June 1, if you know you will require travel support to attend the Workshop.
Hotel: Book your hotel room here. The room block will close June 30, 2025.
Website: 2025 Clean Water Cross-Program Workshop – Event Page
Meetings and Webinars
EPA WOTUS Rulemaking – Upcoming Listening Sessions
On March 24, EPA published an announcement in the Federal Register, WOTUS Notice: The Final Response to SCOTUS: Establishment of a Public Docket; Request for Recommendations, in which EPA and the Department of the Army indicated their intention to engage with State and Tribal co-regulators, industry and agricultural stakeholders, environmental and conservation stakeholders, and the public on certain key topics related to the implementation of the definition of “waters of the United States” in light of the Supreme Court’s 2023 decision in Sacket v. Environmental Protection Agency.
Register for upcoming listening sessions:
Second Listening Session for the Public: To be Announced (check public outreach/engagement page)
NEW: Listening Session for the Public: May 14, 2:30-6:00 p.m. ET (Virtual and in Charleston, West Virginia)
NEW: Listening Session for Small Business Stakeholders: May 19, 1:00 – 3:30 p.m. ET (Virtual and at EPA Headquarters in Washington, D.C.)
Job Opportunities
Upcoming Announcement: Colorado Water Quality Standards Feasibility Unit – Small Communities Feasibility Coordinator
This position is part of a team that provides scientific analysis, policy and regulatory recommendations, and other technical information to the Water Quality Control Commission (WQCC). The unit’s work involves researching and analyzing complex water quality topics to support the development, implementation, and review of water quality standards variances in accordance with the federal Clean Water Act and the Colorado Water Quality Control Act.
Our team’s Small Community Feasibility Coordinator develops economic, technological, and environmental feasibility tools to scale our program’s support for small communities working to improve water quality. This work includes connecting with communities and conducting technical work to support the development of robust policy proposals that maximize feasible water quality progress throughout Colorado. By evaluating cost-effective and practical approaches, the coordinator ensures that small communities have the resources and insights needed to implement sustainable improvements while considering their unique constraints.
An ideal candidate:
- Effectively translates engineering concepts for decision-makers and communities.
- Conducts independent research and develops clear, actionable resources.
- Understands policy, economics, and philosophy and their impact on water quality.
- Solves problems proactively, connecting people, data, and systems.
If you’re interested in this position, enjoy solving difficult problems, and having a meaningful impact, please reach out to blake.beyea@state.co.us with any questions or for more information. The official job announcement is expected to open (Spring 2025).
Information Officer – Education and Outreach
Location: Grand Isle, VT
Closing Date: May 11, 2025
To apply, submit your cover letter, resume and writing sample by email to jobs@neiwpcc.org. Please reference #25-LCBP-007 in the email subject line. Preference given to applicants who apply by May 11, 2025. Accepting applications until the position is filled. A full position description may be viewed at: https://neiwpcc.org/about-us/careers.
Program Manager – Education and Outreach
Location: Grand Isle, VT
Closing Date: May 11, 2025
To apply, submit your cover letter, resume, and writing sample by email to jobs@neiwpcc.org. Please reference #25-LCBP-006 in the email subject line. Preference given to applicants who apply by May 11, 2025. Accepting applications until the position is filled. A full position description may be viewed at: https://neiwpcc.org/about-us/careers.
Environmental Analyst
Location: Grand Isle, VT
Closing Date: May 11, 2025
To apply, submit your cover letter, resume and writing sample by email to jobs@neiwpcc.org. Please reference 25-LCBP-008 in the email subject line. Preference given to applicants who apply by May 11, 2025. Accepting applications until the position is filled. A full position description may be viewed at:
https://neiwpcc.org/about-us/careers.
Environmental Analyst IV
Location: Springfield, MA
Closing Date: May 15, 2025
For more information and to apply, visit MassCareers Job Opportunities.
Bureau of Air & Waste Air Quality Intern
Location: Springfield, MA
Closing Date: May 15, 2025
For more information and to apply, visit MassCareers Job Opportunities.
Onsite Resource Specialist (Natural Resource Specialist 3 – Environmental Health Specialist)
Location: Medford, Eugene, or Coos Bay, Oregon (finalist may choose work location)
Closing Date: May 26, 2025
For more information and to apply, visit Oregon Job Opportunities.
Be sure to check out other opportunities on ACWA’s Job Opportunities page.
