News
ACWA Submits Comments to EPA and USACE in Response to Proposed WOTUS Rule
On January 5, ACWA submitted comments to EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in response to the agencies’ proposed rule, “Updated Definition of Waters of the United States.” The comments, which address several specific provisions in the proposed rule, emphasize that state regulators “have a unique and substantial interest in any federal regulatory updates or policy positions that define terms central to CWA jurisdiction.” The comments go on to point out that WOTUS – “long the subject of litigation, federal rulemakings, and judicial interpretation—establishes the outer bounds of federal authority and directly affects permitting, compliance, restoration, and infrastructure planning functions carried out by state surface water programs. A durable, clear, and workable WOTUS definition is essential to the consistent, lawful, and efficient administration of clean water programs nationwide.”
Please click here to view ACWA’s Jan. 5 comments to EPA and USACE on the proposed WOTUS rule.
Steam Electric Deadline Extensions
On December 31, 2025 EPA published in the Federal Register a final rule extending compliance deadlines for the effluent limitations guidelines (ELGs) that apply to coal-fired power plants. EPA has said these extensions are intended to “allow facilities more time to assess potential compliance pathways to continue producing low-cost electricity into the future while meeting wastewater standards.” EPA indicated the extension is taking into account “extraordinary increases in electricity demand, driven in part by the AI and data center revolution as well as an industrial and manufacturing resurgence.” The rule:
- Provides six more years (to December 31, 2031) for existing steam electric power plants to assess potential compliance pathways for their continued operations.
- Extends compliance deadlines by five years (to December 31, 2034) related to zero-discharge limitations for flue gas desulfurization wastewater, bottom ash transport water, and combustion residual leachate.
- Provides more time for compliance with three zero-discharge limitations for power plants that send wastewater to wastewater treatment plants for processing.
Additionally, EPA issued a No Action Assurance memo for the Steam Electric Power industry which applies to enforcement priorities for coal-fired power plants not yet in compliance with limitations in CWA permits from the 2020 and 2024 Final Rules.
Army Corps Reissues 56 Nationwide Permits & Issues One New Permit
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) finalized 56 Nationwide Permits (NWPs) and issued one new permit this week. The Corps reissued 56 of the 57 existing nationwide permits with minor modifications and issued one new nationwide permit to address the passage of fish through aquatic ecosystems. The Federal Register notice also modifies NWP 39, Commercial and Industrial Developments, to address data centers, AI facilities, and pharmaceutical manufacturing and storage facilities. The NWPs will go into effect on March 15, 2026, as the current set of NWPs expires.
EPA’s National Sewershed Map
The EPA National Sewershed Dataset provides polygon shapefiles of the “sewersheds” for certain publicly owned wastewater treatment works (POTWs). It was developed using a combination of publicly-sourced data and an EPA developed machine learning model. Understanding your POTW’s service area is crucial for assessing the types of waste processed and the quality of treated discharge water. This information also supports local economic development, public health, and environmental quality.
- Economic Growth: Identify opportunities for targeted infrastructure investment and expansion of services to unsewered communities.
- Emergency Response: Quickly target assistance and identify priority investments to speed up recovery.
- Community Awareness: Enable public access to information on where their wastewater goes. This information will also assist utility managers and local government with planning for the future.
View the EPA National Sewershed Dataset here.
EPA National Nutrients Inventory: Critical Shifts in U.S. Nutrient Pollution Sources from 1987 to 2017
EPA has shared a new paper, detailing the agency’s National Nutrient Inventory, published in Environmental Science & Technology. This work provides high-resolution annual estimates for a 30-year time period (1987–2017) of major nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fluxes from agricultural, urban, atmospheric, and natural sources at county and HUC12 scales across the contiguous U.S.
Efforts to constrain the negative environmental impacts of excess N and P are costly and challenging, due in part to inconsistent reporting of nutrient sources at temporal and spatial scales relevant for local decision making. To meet this challenge, the EPA’s National Nutrient Inventory provides estimates of major agricultural, urban, atmospheric, and natural nutrient fluxes for the contiguous United States at county and HUC12 scales annually from 1987 (from 1950 for agriculture) to 2017. Since the late 1980s, total N emissions and atmospheric N deposition have declined 22% and 15%, respectively, despite increased agricultural emissions. Over the same period, municipal wastewater N and P loads remained largely stable, despite population increases, through wastewater treatment upgrades and the phaseout of phosphorus-containing detergents. Improved agricultural efficiency allowed for dramatic increases in agricultural production and crop harvest since 1987 (∼25% for N and P), with little change in surplus nutrients left on fields. Overall, a combination of innovative technologies and management has stemmed or even decreased major sources of nutrient pollution to the environment over the last several decades, representing an important shift that, if continued, may contribute to improved air, land, and water quality and human health.
Association Updates
2026 State Summit on Water Reuse
The 2026 State Summit on Water Reuse will take place on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, from 8:00am to 3:15pm (PT), at the InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown in Los Angeles, California. This free, state regulator-only event is hosted by ACWA, ASDWA, ECOS, ASTHO, GWPC, and U.S. EPA, and will be held once again in conjunction with the WateReuse Association Annual Water Reuse Symposium, which begins March 8th. Please CLICK HERE to indicate your interest in participating in the State Summit. Formal registration and additional details will follow in early 2026.
The primary goal of the State Summit is to provide a place for state regulators to share and learn about a range of water reuse issues, network with state colleagues, and coordinate with representatives from select federal agencies. The Summit will feature perspectives from many states and provide an opportunity for participants to share their thoughts and key questions with colleagues from around the country. Please contact Ward Scott (wscott@acwa-us.org) for more information.
ACWA 2026 Mid-Year Meeting – View the Updated Draft Agenda!
Dates: March 25-26, 2026
Location: Alexandria, VA
View the updated draft agenda here.
Registration is now open!
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
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 and Draft Agenda Now Available!
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.
Registration is available here.
View the draft agenda 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
SRF Office Hours
Environmental Finance Center Network provides SRF Office Hours. These sessions are designed to help state agencies, utility operators, and stakeholders navigate SRFs with practical insights and strategies. Each session begins with a theme to provide clarity on managing SRF-funded projects, followed by an open “Ask Me Anything” Q&A.
- January 12: I’m confused, where do I start a project?
Finding a Unicorn! Small Wastewater System Funding Series | State Revolving Funds: The Basics
Date and Time: Tue, Jan 13, 2026 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM EST
REGISTER HERE
The State Revolving Fund (SRF) programs administered by EPA provide financing for many types of water infrastructure projects, and are implemented by state agencies. How the Clean Water SRF program is implemented will be particular to your location, however there are some fundamental requirements you should be aware of to get started. This session will provide the basics to demystify the Clean Water SRF.
Learning Objectives:
- Evaluate the categories of projects which can be funded by the CWSRF
- Identify typical funding cycles, loan rates, and principal forgiveness
- Understand federal expectations for successful applications
- Learn from a case study in rural Alabama
Presenters: Kathleen Kirkpatrick, Senior Associate and Carmen Guzman-Simpliciano, Manager for Hawaii and Pacific Islands, Capacity Collaborative
SWC Webinar on Forests & Water Partnerships
Date and Time: Thursday, January 15, 2026, from 2:00–3:30 pm ET
REGISTER HERE
On Thursday, January 15, 2026, from 2:00–3:30 pm ET, the Source Water Collaborative and Southeastern Partnership for Forests & Water are hosting a webinar entitled, “Stronger Together: Forests & Water Partnerships.” Join us for an engaging session on how the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and Denver Water are leveraging forest management and conservation to protect their drinking water sources. After the presentations and a lively Q&A, we’ll move into a brief breakout discussion—your chance to connect with peers and explore how these strategies could benefit partnerships in your own region.
For more information, view the webinar flyer.
EPA Stormwater Centers of Excellence Webinar
Date and Time: January 28, 2026 at 01:30 PM
REGISTER HERE
Stormwater is a significant source of water pollution, threatening the health of waterways nationwide. However, financial & engineering challenges make stormwater difficult for communities to manage. Recognizing this challenge, EPA awarded $5M in grant funding to establish the new Centers of Excellence for Stormwater Control Infrastructure Technologies Grant Program. Come meet the recently established Centers and learn about the research, training and technical assistance the Centers will be providing, as well as the Clearinghouse that will be used to share the Center’s activities and projects.
Job Opportunities
Environmental Analyst – Long Island Habitat Restoration Coordinator
Location: Kings Park, NY
Closing Date: January 11, 2026
To apply, submit your cover letter, resume, and a brief writing sample by email to jobs@neiwpcc.org. Please reference #26-NYS-LIS-DEC-001 in the email subject line. Application review will begin on January 11, 2026 and will continue on a rolling basis until the position is filled. A full position description may be viewed at: https://neiwpcc.org/about-us/careers.
Water Quality PC Tech
Location: Brainerd, MN
Closing Date: January 14, 2026
This posting will be used to fill 2 vacancies. For more information and to apply, visit Minnesota Careers.
Aquatic Invasive Species Boat Launch Stewards
Location: Lake Champlain, NY and VT
Closing Date: January 20, 2026
To apply, submit a cover letter and resume by email to jobs@neiwpcc.org; please reference #26-LCBP-002 in the email subject line. Application review will begin on January 20, 2026, and will continue on a rolling basis until all positions are filled. A full position description may be viewed at: https://neiwpcc.org/about-us/careers.
Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) Program Coordinator
Location: Madison, Milwaukee, Waukesha, WI
Closing Date: January 20, 2026
For more information and to apply, click here.
Be sure to check out other opportunities on ACWA’s Job Opportunities page.
