News
Federal Lapse In Appropriations Continues
As the government shutdown enters its 31st day, there is still no end in sight to the lapse in appropriations. The House of Representatives remains in recess, and the Senate adjourned on Thursday with plans to return to Washington, D.C. on Monday. Significant public safety net funding is expected to run out on November 1, which many believe could prompt movement toward a compromise. The Continuing Resolution (CR) currently under consideration would extend government funding only through November 21, 2025. As Congress approaches that deadline, a new CR proposal will need to be introduced.
Streamlining the Review of Deregulatory Actions
The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) within the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued Memorandum M-25-36, Streamlining the Review of Deregulatory Actions. The directive sets shorter timelines, encourages the use of legal exemptions to bypass lengthy procedures, and reduces consultation requirements with stakeholders, including state and local co-regulators, signaling a renewed push by OIRA to eliminate regulatory burdens. While the memorandum aims to accelerate regulatory reform, agencies must balance the benefits of speed against the potential for reduced regulatory stability.
Microsoft Exchange Server Security Best Practices Advisory
This week CISA and the NSA, in collaboration with international cybersecurity partners, have released the “Microsoft Exchange Server Security Best Practices” guidance. This blueprint builds upon CISA’s “Emergency Directive 25-02: Mitigate Microsoft Exchange Vulnerability”, and recommends proactive prevention techniques to address cyber threats head-on and to protect sensitive information and communications within on-premises Exchange Servers as part of hybrid Exchange environments.
In an era of escalating cyber threats, this comprehensive document is a critical resource for organizations relying on Microsoft Exchange, designed to equip on-premises administrators with essential security measures to enhance prevention and fortify defenses. By restricting administrative access, implementing multifactor authentication, enforcing strict transport security configurations, and adopting zero trust (ZT) security model principles, organizations can significantly bolster their defenses against potential cyberattacks. Additionally, as certain Exchange Server versions have recently become end-of-life (EOL), the authoring agencies strongly encourage organizations to take proactive steps to mitigate risks and prevent malicious activity.
The publication of this guidance marks a significant step in the ongoing efforts to enhance cybersecurity across various sectors. By following these best practices, organizations can better protect themselves from potential threats and ensure the integrity of their communication infrastructure. Under the Trump Administration, CISA has issued 20 joint cybersecurity advisories and threat intelligence guidance with our Five Eyes allies – the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand – as well as with our trusted international partners. Together, we have exposed nation-state-sponsored intrusions, AI-enabled ransomware operations, and ever-evolving threats to critical infrastructure.
For more information, please visit: CISA’s Microsoft Exchange Server Security Resource Page.
Proactive Water Cybersecurity
Cyber Informed Engineering (CIE) is a strategic initiative championed by Idaho National Laboratory (INL) to integrate cybersecurity into engineering practices for critical infrastructure. INL leads in implementing the national strategy by developing engineering tools, standards, and educational resources that prioritize cybersecurity in infrastructure design and operation. INL’s key contributions to CIE thus far include:
- A 200-member CIE Community of Practice for collaboration and knowledge exchange.
- A CIE Implementation Guide and Resource Library to facilitate the adoption of CIE practices.
- Partnerships with academic and industry stakeholders to incorporate CIE into engineering programs and infrastructure projects.
Since late 2023 the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has factored CIE into its considerations of drinking and wastewater systems. This year, they have expanded CIE into scoring grant applications from communities seeking funds to help replace or update their water systems. Specifically, DEQ integrated CIE into its State Revolving Fund (SRF) funding through a competitive process for grants and loans by creating a new incentive for projects that integrate CIE into their facility plans, assigning greater weight to CIE principles during the scoring process. Idaho also offers resources such as its Customer Handbook to assist applicants with the DEQ SRF funding process and project execution, which includes CIE checklists. More can be found at the link below and by viewing this recorded webinar.
Association Updates
ACWA 2026 Mid-Year Meeting – Lodging & Draft Agenda Now Available!
Dates: March 25-26, 2026
Location: Alexandria, VA
Reserve your room now by calling 1-800-Hiltons (1-800-445-8668) and using group code 92N, or click here.
Group Rate: $276/night
View the draft agenda here.
Check our event webpage for more information.
2026 National Industrial Permitting Workshop – Save the Date
Dates: April 7-9, 2026
Location: Washington, DC
Purpose: The 2026 National Industrial Permitting Workshop supports implementation of federal and state industrial permitting programs nationwide by sharing best management practices, showcasing innovative federal and state programs, highlighting new approaches and technologies, facilitating discussion on national program enhancements and improvements, identifying state resource needs including tools, training and guidance, and proposing solutions to challenges and barriers faced by the regulators and other stakeholders. More information can be found on ACWA’s event page.
2026 Water Quality Standards Workshop – Registration is Open!
Dates: April 21-23, 2026
Location: Little Rock, AR
Registration is open for the 2026 Water Quality Standards Workshop! This workshop will take place April 21-23, in Little Rock, AR. This workshop is a national meeting organized by ACWA for state staff involved in state water quality standards programs, as well as for both Regional and Headquarters-based U.S. Environmental Protection Agency managers and staff. The workshop will be held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Little Rock.
You may register here!
The workshop will be held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Little Rock. Reserve your hotel room here. The room block will close on March 30, 2026. ACWA does anticipate having travel support for state staff.
When available, more information can be found on ACWA’s events page.
ACWA 2026 Annual Meeting – Save The Date!
Dates: August 5, 2026 at 8:00 am – August 7, 2026 at 12:00 pm
Board of Directors will meet August 4, 2026.
Venue: The Eldorado Hotel and Spa, Santa Fe, NM
Check back here for more information regarding registration, lodging, and agenda.
Meetings and Webinars
SERA-46 Lunch and Learn Series – Basin Breakthrough: Early Career Leaders in Mississippi River Basin Water Quality Research
Monday, November 3, 2025, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm ET
REGISTER HERE
This three-part virtual seminar series will feature early career leaders in Mississippi River Basin water quality research to illuminate innovative solutions for improving agricultural water quality across the watershed. Each date will feature talks from three up-and-coming scientists across the upper, middle, and lower basins. The third webinar will take place on November 3 from 1:00 – 2:00 pm ET. Click here for more information about SERA-46 events.
SERA-46 is Southern Extension and Research Activities committee number 46. It is one of a group of formal USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and land-grant university funded committees designed to promote multi-state research and extension activities. SERA-46 brings together researchers and extension specialists who share a common interest and expertise related to the environmental, social, and economic factors that contribute to nutrient loss from agricultural lands and hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico.
ITRC: PFAS Introductory Training
Thursday, November 6, 2025, 1:00PM-3:00PM EST
REGISTER HERE
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large and complex class of anthropogenic compounds whose prevalence in the environment are an emerging, worldwide priority in environmental and human health. The ITRC PFAS Team, formed in 2017, has prepared readily accessible materials to present PFAS information to stakeholders, regulators, and policy makers. The PFAS team represents a diverse cross-section of expertise and experience working on PFAS.
This training will include emerging science on PFAS, including topics such as Properties of PFAS, Fate and Transport, Sampling and Analysis, and Treatment Technologies. The technical presentations will be focused on those who are relatively new to PFAS. The training will last approximately 90 minutes and include time for questions.
ACWA Legal Affairs Committee November Call
ACWA’s Legal Affairs Committee will host a call on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at 2:00 pm ET, which will focus on the D.C. Circuit’s recent ruling in Village of Morrisville, Vermont v. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. In that opinion, the court held that a state does not waive its CWA Section 401 authority where an applicant for water quality certification unilaterally withdraws and resubmits its application.
We will be joined by Laura Murphy, Assistant Attorney General and Director of the Environmental Protection Unit at the Vermont Attorney General’s Office. Ms. Murphy – who argued the cause and filed a brief on behalf of the state intervenor in Village of Morrisville – will provide a summary of the case and some background on the issue. There will also be an opportunity for Q&A, time permitting.
Please reach out to Ward Scott (wscott@acwa-us.org) for more information and to register for this call.
Ask Me Anything SRF Office Hours
This initiative will expand your knowledge and enhance your ability to navigate the SRFs. These sessions are tailored for state agencies, utility operators, and stakeholders who support water infrastructure projects. Each session will open with a specific theme, providing clarity, strategies, and practical insights for preparing and managing an SRF-funded project. The remainder of the session will be devoted to ‘Ask Me Anything’. Participants can attend all sessions or select those that best meet their needs. Submit your questions in advance or bring them to the session for real-time support from our experts.
Wed., 11/5, 11-1 EST: What is an Intended Use Plan?
Meeting Registration – Zoom
Mon., 11/17, 2-4 EST: Summary of what was covered over the AMA sessions
Meeting Registration – Zoom
ITRC: Microplastics Training
Thursday, November 13, 2025, 1:00PM-3:00PM EST
REGISTER HERE
In response to one of the biggest emerging environmental concerns, ITRC formed the Microplastics Team in 2021 to develop the Microplastics Guidance Document. Plastics have become pervasive in modern life and are now used in a wide range of commercial and industrial applications. Microplastics may result from the degradation and fragmentation of larger plastics, or they may be intentionally produced for specific applications and products. Regardless of their origin, microplastics are now ubiquitous in our environment. Because of their small size and pervasiveness in the environment, microplastics, along with any other contaminants which are adhered to the microplastics, may be inadvertently consumed by humans and other organisms. The target audience for the guidance and this training course includes state regulators and environmental consultants, as well as community and tribal stakeholders.
The guidance and this associated training course uses a conceptual site model to navigate microplastics in the environment and explore the following general areas. Prior to attending the training class, participants are encouraged to view the associated ITRC Microplastics Guidance Document.
EPA Webinars: Wastewater Math
- Dates & Times:
- Part 1: November 19, 1-3 PM (Eastern Time)
- Part 2: November 20, 1-3 PM (Eastern Time)
- Registration: Register Here
- Flyer: Webinar Flyer_Q1 Nov2025_Wastewater Math.pdf
Overview: Join EPA for a comprehensive webinar focused on the essential math skills needed to accurately complete facility discharge monitoring reports (DMRs). This session will provide step-by-step guidance on translating lab reports and field measurements into DMR entries. To ensure a solid understanding of these concepts, we will work through a variety of wastewater problems live.
About the Presenter: Cornell Gayle, U.S. EPA HQ, Atlanta, GA is a Professional Civil Engineer who works with the Environmental Protection Agency providing support to states and local municipalities ensuring compliance with the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System requirements.
ACWA / EPA Water Reuse Webinar
Wednesday, December 3, 2025, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm ET
REGISTER HERE
ACWA and EPA will host a second Water Reuse Webinar on December 3, 2025 at 2:00 pm ET. This second webinar for state regulators will focus on water reuse issues surrounding data centers. Presentations and discussions will include considerations for permitting, treatment and cooling technologies. Participation in this event will be limited to state and federal regulators.
Job Opportunities
Environmental Hydrogeologist 1-2
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Closing Date: Open until filled
The Watershed Improvement Unit in the Water Quality Division is looking for a Hydrogeologist to remediate abandoned hardrock mines that are polluting rivers and streams. The Hydrogeologist will be responsible for reviewing and evaluating remedial designs, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, and providing technical expertise to address the environmental and public health risks associated with abandoned hardrock mines. The Hydrogeologist will work with a multidisciplinary team to assess, plan, and execute remediation projects. This role plays a key part in protecting and enhancing Arizona’s waterbodies for the enjoyment of people and wildlife.
For more information and to apply, click here.
Be sure to check out other opportunities on ACWA’s Job Opportunities page.
