News
UCMR8 Data Release
EPA released the eighth set of national drinking water data collected under the fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 5) for 30 chemical contaminants: 29 PFAS and lithium. SDWA requires that every five years the EPA issues a list of unregulated contaminants to be monitored by public water systems. UCMR 5 was published on December 27, 2021, and large, medium, and a nationally representative sample of small public water systems have been collecting data on these 30 chemical contaminants since January 1, 2023. The data collected under UCMR 5 improves understanding of the prevalence and amount of 29 PFAS and lithium in the nation’s drinking water systems.
The eighth data release includes all results received for UCMR 5 since the start of monitoring through April 11, 2025. The data released to date now represent approximately 75% of the total results the EPA expects to receive by completion of data reporting in 2026. With the normal lag between sample collection, analysis, and reporting, the data represent approximately 8 (of 12) quarters of monitoring results (i.e., Q1 2023 through Q4 2024). The eighth data release includes approximately 1.5 million sample results for 8,800 public water systems. The EPA is updating results in the UCMR 5 Data Summary, UCMR 5 Data Finder, and Occurrence Data Files. The UCMR 5 resources and Q&A also reflect that certain PFAS for which monitoring data are being collected are part of the EPA’s April 2024 PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR).
UCMR 5 eighth data release includes updates to:
- UCMR 5 Data Finder – Allows the public, along with federal, state, and local agencies, to easily locate, view, and summarize specific UCMR 5 results, as well as download those results to an Excel (.xlsx) spreadsheet. Results can be filtered by multiple fields. A video demo is available. Please use (and encourage others to use) this tool for accessing the publicly available results.
- Occurrence Data Text Files – Recommended for those interested in large-scale data processing using statistical or data analysis software. These files contain analytical results and the additional data element and ZIP Code information reported by participating public water systems.
- UCMR 5 Data Summary – National summary statistics by contaminant, health effects information, data considerations, and data definitions for the UCMR 5 Data Finder and Occurrence Data Text Files.
- UCMR 5 Website Q&A – Answers to common questions on accessing and understanding the UCMR 5 data, and on PFAS and lithium in drinking water.
Moonshot Missions Releases CSO Document
This week Moonshot Missions announced the publication of a ‘Combined Sewer Overflow Guidance Document for Wastewater Utilities‘, produced through funding from the Great Lakes Protection Fund (GLPF). This publication is part of Moonshot Missions’ broader mission to deliver tailored technical assistance and scalable solutions to utilities across the country. The primary goals of this document are to: 1) provide an overview of sources of CSSs and CSOs; 2) outline monitoring and planning tools for utilities for CSO reduction; and 3) present a set of strategies and solutions to prevent CSOs. The document is supported with case studies of successful implementation as well as potential funding sources to help reduce the financial impact of implementing solutions.
Supreme Court Narrows NEPA Reviews, Emphasizes Agency Deference
On May 29, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a unanimous ruling in Seven County Infrastructure Coalition, et al. v. Eagle County, Colorado, et al. in which the Court limited NEPA reviews to “environmental effects of the project itself, not on the potential environmental effects of future or geographically separate projects.” The case involved a Surface Transportation Board certificate of approval for 88-mile railroad line in Northeast Utah, providing rail access to the Uinta Basin for export of oil. The lower court had ruled that STB failed to conduct proper NEPA evaluation by not properly considering the potential environmental effects of increased upstream drilling in the Uinta Basin before issuing the certificate. In its opinion, SCOTUS ruled 8-0 that, when reviewing NEPA claims, courts should afford substantial deference and should not micromanage the scope of agency reviews, but rather, afford deference to the agency as to the proper scope of NEPA reviews.
Association Updates
ACWA Leaders Meet with AA Nominee Kramer on Oversight
The Executive Committee met with Jessica Kramer recently to discuss concerns over agency oversight of state actions, including waterbody over-listings and the need for clarity between EPA mandates, guidance, and reviewer opinions. ACWA solicited information from the membership and shared these details with Kramer. We also offered up suggestions for improving regional feedback on state actions. AA Nominee Kramer was receptive to the concerns and agreed to continue the conversation. ACWA also emphasized the value of cooperative federalism, highlighting a real-time example—the issuance of a Section 401 memorandum during the meeting—as a missed opportunity for state input.
Updated FY2026 Funding Chart
ACWA has updated their funding chart to reflect the FY 2026 President’s Budget Request. The FY 2026 President’s Budget Request for EPA totals $4.16 billion, a 54 percent decrease from the FY 2025 Enacted Budget level. Many of the categorical grants were reduced to zero, including Wetland Program Development Grants, Section 319 Grants, and Section 106 Grants. CWSRF funding was reduced by $1.5 billion, DWSRF funding was reduced by $976 million, and WIFIA was reduced by $64 million.
View the updated funding chart here.
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 draft agenda here.
Lodging is now open for reservation! The room block will close July 18, 2025.
Venue:
The Madison Concourse Hotel and Governor’s Club
One West Dayton Street, Madison, WI 53703
Room rate: $138 per night
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 – Book Your Hotel Now!
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.
Hotel: Book your hotel room here. The room block will close June 30, 2025.
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.
Website: 2025 Clean Water Cross-Program Workshop – Event Page
Save the Date – ACWA Water Quality Modeling Workshop
Dates: September 16-19, 2025
Location: Atlanta, GA
ACWA, in partnership with USEPA, will be holding the 2025 Water Quality Modeling Workshop in Atlanta, GA, the week of September 15, 2025. The 2025 Water Quality Modeling Workshop supports implementation of state programs by continuing to build a community of practice among state agency staff who use or want to use water quality modeling in state water quality programs.
This year we will be offering hands-on training on LSPC, and a Modeling 201 track – a more in-depth course, featuring hands-on components, presentations, case studies, and discussions. A third track TBD may be added shortly.
This workshop is for state program managers and staff involved in water quality modeling, as well as for both Regional and Headquarters-based U.S. Environmental Protection Agency managers and staff.
A draft agenda will be shared soon. When available, more information can be found on ACWA’s events page.
Lodging will be available at the Embassy Suites Atlanta Centennial Olympic Park Hotel at the local per diem rate. The workshop will take place at the EPA Region 4 Offices at 77 Forsyth St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303.
Meetings and Webinars
EPA Cybersecurity Technical Assistance Courses
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.
EPA ORD Webinar on Restoring Aquatic Ecosystems for Human Health
Tuesday, June 10, 2025, from 3:00 to 4:00 pm (eastern time)
Register Here
EPA’s Office of Research and Development (ORD) will host a free webinar entitled, “Restoring Aquatic Ecosystems to Improve Human Health and Well-being.” This webinar is part of EPA’s Healthy and Resilient Communities Research Webinar Series. During the webinar, Joel Hoffman, with ORD’s Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, will present findings on widespread water body impairments from combined sewage overflows, and how the relationship between ecological restoration and human health should be considered in a systems context.
What to Expect When Your Wastewater Plant Is Inspected
Thu, Jun 12, 2025 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM EDT
Register Here
Regulatory inspections don’t have to be intimidating. Join this no-cost webinar with Mike Tate, a seasoned expert with 35 years of experience inspecting wastewater treatment facilities. You’ll get an inside look at how inspections are conducted, why certain areas receive special attention, and how to prepare with confidence.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the structure and purpose of regulatory inspections
- Recognize what typically happens during an inspection and how to prepare
- Learn to communicate your facility’s operations and challenges more effectively to inspectors Gain practical insights to reduce stress, strengthen compliance, and ensure your facility is inspection-ready.
Presenter: Mike Tate, PE, Project Associate, Environmental Finance Center at Wichita State University
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
Environmental Analyst or Engineer –Training Development Specialist
Location: Lowell, MA
Closing Date: June 8, 2025
To apply, submit your cover letter, resume, and a brief writing sample by email to jobs@neiwpcc.org by June 8, 2025. Please reference #25-Lowell-007 in the email subject line. Accepting applications until the position is filled. A full position description and benefits may be viewed at: https://neiwpcc.org/about-us/careers.
Lead Contract Specialist
Location: Duluth, Brainerd, Detroit Lakes, St. Paul, Rochester, Mankato, Marshall, MN
Closing Date: June 10, 2025
Job ID #: 86430
For more information and to apply, visit Minnesota Careers.
Wastewater Compliance and Enforcement Supervisor – Analyst 4
Location: Boise, ID
Closing Date: June 15, 2025
For more information and to apply, visit Idaho Department of Environmental Quality’s career webpage.
Environmental Analyst – Title 5 Septic System Program Trainer
Location: Boston, Woburn, Worcester, Lakeville or Springfield, MA
Closing Date: June 22, 2025
To apply, submit your cover letter, resume, and a brief writing sample by email to jobs@neiwpcc.org by June 22, 2025. Please reference #25-MA-DEP-001 in the email subject line and notate full-time or part-time preference and preferred work location in the body of the email (Boston, Woburn, Worcester, Lakeville or Springfield, MA). Accepting applications until the position is filled. A full position description and benefits may be viewed at: https://neiwpcc.org/about-us/careers.
Be sure to check out other opportunities on ACWA’s Job Opportunities page.
