News
House Passes Big Beautiful Bill
The House of Representatives passed a major tax, energy, and border package that incorporated many of the President’s priorities. The bill passed 215-214. The action will now move to the Senate. The bill slashes taxes, increases funding for the military and border security, and pays for some of the costs with cuts to Medicaid, food assistance, education, and clean energy programs. The bill also boosts the debt limit by $4 trillion, allowing the government to continue borrowing to finance its obligations.
$9.7 Million to States to Monitor Beaches
This week EPA announced $9.7 million in grant funding for states, Tribes, and territories to use for water quality monitoring at coastal and Great Lakes beaches and to notify the public if elevated levels of bacteria make swimming unsafe. The funding is authorized by the BEACH Act and applicants must have coastal or Great Lakes recreational waters adjacent to beaches or similar points of access used by the public. Recipients must also have a water quality standards program and EPA-approved numeric recreational water quality standards for coastal waters. Additionally, eligible entities must meet 11 performance criteria for implementing monitoring, assessment, and notification components of the beach program. Each grantee receives an amount based on the length of the beach season, the number of miles of shoreline and the populations of coastal counties. EPA anticipates awarding grants to all eligible recipients after all legal and administrative requirements are satisfied. More details on funding allotments can be found here. EPA to Provide Over $9 Million to States to Help Protect Beachgoers from Illness | US EPA
EPA Memo: Clarification Regarding the Application of Clean Water Act Section 401 Certification
EPA issued a memorandum clarifying the specific and limited role that states and tribes play in the federal licensing and permitting processes under the Clean Water Act (CWA) section 401. Through the memorandum, the agency is reiterating its longstanding position that states and Tribes must utilize section 401 only for its statutory purpose – to protect water quality. The memorandum clarifies that a state’s or Tribe’s evaluation is limited to considering negative impacts to water quality, and only such impacts that prevent compliance with applicable water quality requirements. This direction is consistent with all prior regulations and guidance documents for section 401 certification.
The memorandum also announces EPA’s intent to issue a forthcoming Federal Register notice and docket to obtain public input on implementation challenges and regulatory uncertainty related to the 2023 rule’s scope of certification. The agency will address such challenges and uncertainty through additional future guidance or rulemaking.
To read this memo and learn more about section 401 of the CWA visit: https://www.epa.gov/cwa-401.
EPA and USACE to Hold Additional WOTUS Listening Session for State and Local Government Officials
EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers have announced that they will host an additional WOTUS listening session for state and local government officials on Wednesday, May 28 at 2:00 pm ET. The agencies are soliciting insight on certain key topics related to the implementation of the definition of “waters of the United States.” On March 12, the agencies announced their intent to undertake a rulemaking to revise this definition to conform with the Supreme Court’s decision in Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency, 598 U.S. 651 (2023). Please click here to register for the listening session.
Association Updates
Notice – No Wrap the Week of May 26, 2025
In observance of the holiday, ACWA will not publish a Weekly Wrap the week of May 26, 2025. Look out for our next edition the week of June 2, 2025.
ACWA’s 64th Annual Meeting in Madison, WI – Registration is now open!
Dates: August 13-15th, 2025
Board of Directors will meet August 12th, 2025.
Member Rate – $550
Non-Member Rate – $570
(email Lexy at abailey@acwa-us.org for assistance with registration)
View the updated draft agenda here.
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
Registration and more information will be coming soon. Check back here for more details.
Seeking Presenters: 2025 ACWA Annual Meeting
ACWA is seeking presenters for our upcoming Annual Meeting in Madison, WI, August 13-15, 2025. Specifically, we are seeking presenters who have a great story to tell or lessons learned in communicating with the public. August 13, 9:30-10:30 AM:
EDUCATING THE PUBLIC: AGENCY COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES. Effective communication is at the heart of building public trust, promoting transparency, and driving informed action. Strategies for communicating with a public that is skeptical of science, data and government. In this session, we’ll explore how agencies are developing and implementing impactful communication strategies that educate, engage, and empower the public and stakeholders.
If you have a story to share, please get in touch with Julia Anastasio.
Your Chance to be Featured in ACWA’s 2025 Annual Report!
As we gear up for our annual report, we’re looking to expand our photo library. We invite you to be a part of the Annual Report by sharing your photographs with us!
Here’s how you can participate:
- Select your best high-resolution water photos
- Email them to Lexy Bailey by June 6th, 2025
- Include your name and the location of the photograph
Thank you!
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 Cybersecurity Technical Assistance Courses
Cybersecurity Refresher
Wednesday, May 28, 2025, 1:00 – 2:00pm EDT
Register Here
Meet your annual cybersecurity training requirement and gain critical knowledge on the foundational understandings of cybersecurity and how it applies to the Water Sector.
Many states have approved this training for CEU credits. The list of approved states can be found on the registration page.
Cybersecurity 102
Thursday, May 29, 2025, 1:00 – 2:30pm EDT
Register Here
Join us for a free webinar on understanding how Cybersecurity can impact Operational Technology (OT) systems. This webinar is for everyone, not just information technology personnel, as it will equip you with the skills to navigate today’s digital threats.
Many states have approved this training for CEU credits. The list of approved states can be found on the registration page.
Cybersecurity 103
Tuesday, June 10, 2025, 1:00 – 2:30pm EDT
Register Here
Join us to expand your understanding of basic cybersecurity key terms, foundational principles, and a snapshot of incident history in the Water Sector. Attendees will be shown examples of recent cyber incidents as well as cyber-related resources.
Many states have approved this training for CEU credits. The list of approved states can be found on the registration page.
Water Cybersecurity Assessment Tool Information Session
Wednesday, June 11, 2025, 1:00 – 3:30pm EDT
Register Here
Join us to learn more about how to use the Water Cybersecurity Assessment (WCAT) tool. This tool can be utilized to conduct cybersecurity assessments at water and wastewater systems.
Many states have approved this training for CEU credits. The list of approved states can be found on the registration page.
ASDWA Webinar on Oregon and Washington State Efforts to Address Nitrate in Groundwater Wells
On Monday, June 16, from 3:00 – 4:00 pm ET, the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators (ASDWA) will host a webinar on, “Addressing Nitrate in Oregon and Washington Groundwater.” During the webinar, speakers from the Oregon and Washington State Drinking Water Programs will share presentations about their efforts to address high nitrate levels in drinking water wells. The webinar will feature:
- Samina Panwhar and Bill Goss, Drinking Water Services Section, Oregon Heath Authority, will present information about nitrate reduction efforts in the Lower Umatilla Basin Groundwater Management Area.
- Holly Myers, Office of Drinking Water, Washington State Department of Health, will present information about nitrate reduction efforts in the Lower Yakima Valley Groundwater Management Area.
Register for the webinar here.
Job Opportunities
Small Communities Feasibility Coordinator
Location: Denver, CO
Closing Date: May 27, 2025
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 want to have a meaningful impact, please apply via the State of Colorado’s Job Opportunities webpage (applications accepted through 5/27/2025 at 5:00 PM Mountain Time).
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.
Compliance Coordinator
Location: St. Paul, Duluth, Brainerd, Rochester, Detroit Lakes, Marshall or Mankato, MN
Closing Date: May 29, 2025
For more information and to apply, visit MPCA Careers.
Onsite Program Coordinator (Natural Resource Specialist 4 – Environmental Health Specialist)
Location: Portland, Eugene, Bend, or Salem, Oregon (finalist may choose work location)
Closing Date: June 1, 2025
For more information and to apply, visit Oregon Job Opportunities.
Be sure to check out other opportunities on ACWA’s Job Opportunities page.
