News
EPA OIG Report: The EPA’s Fiscal Year 2026 Top Management Challenges
This week EPA released a report that summarizes what the inspector general considers to be “the most serious management and performance challenges facing the agency” and briefly assesses the agency’s progress in addressing those challenges. This report identifies the six most serious management challenges facing the EPA in FY2026 including:
- Managing contracts, grants, and associated data systems
- Meeting statutory requirements for ensuring the safe use of chemicals
- Managing information technology modernization
- Maintaining mission efficiency and effectiveness during organizational change
- Managing cooperative federalism and state oversight
- Preparing for and responding to natural/manmade disasters
More details on this report can be found here:
Report: The EPA’s Fiscal Year 2026 Top Management Challenges
EPA Withdraws RCRA Definition Change for PFAS
EPA plans to withdraw a proposed “hazardous waste” definition rule that lists PFAS and other substances listed as “hazardous constituents” as subject to RCRA’s corrective action program. EPA cites that this will help mitigate uncertainty into the hazardous waste corrective action program.
“The Agency has concluded that the proposed revisions to the existing regulations would have complicated, rather than contributed to, efficient implementation of corrective action. For those reasons EPA has determined that withdrawal is appropriate.”
EPA Releases Update to the Economic Benefits of Protecting Healthy Watersheds Fact Sheet
EPA has published an update to the 2012 fact sheet, The Economic Benefits of Protecting Healthy Watersheds (EPA-841-F-25-002, April 2026). The updated fact sheet compiles state-by-state evidence demonstrating the measurable economic returns of watershed protection across six benefit categories: drinking water treatment cost savings; natural hazard mitigation; recreation and tourism; subsistence hunting, fishing and foraging; quality of life and health; and property values.
EPA staff reviewed literature published in the last 15 years and selected illustrative examples from across the U.S. that quantify the economic benefits of protecting healthy waters and watersheds. Case studies range from Alaska’s $170–340 million in subsistence harvests across rural communities to Tampa Bay’s $31 million in annualized flood protection benefits from coastal wetlands.
The updated fact sheet serves as a compelling and engaging resource to help spur efforts among partners and communities to protect healthy watersheds and the wide range of benefits they provide.
EPA Seeks Feedback on CWA Fiancial Capability Assessment Guidance
EPA is seeking public input on its Clean Water Act Financial Capability Assessment (FCA) guidance. This effort will revise, as needed, the Clean Water Act FCA guidance. The most recent Final FCA guidance was published in March 2023 and had minor revisions in March 2024. The FCA guidance is not legally binding and is intended only to provide clarity to the public regarding existing requirements under the law or agency policies. EPA will accept comments through May 26, 2026, via the Federal eRulemaking portal, referencing Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2026-1090.
EPA Permitting Authority Map
This week EPA launched the EPA Permitting Authority Map which identifies which regulatory agencies have authority to issue permits covering all of EPA’s permitting programs and environmental statutes. This tool is expected to support federal agencies, states, territories, Tribal nations, local agencies/governments, and the general public by:
- Highlighting whether the permitting authority is with EPA or if there has been an approved delegation, primacy, or authorization given to a state, territory, Tribal nation, or local agency.
- Provides maximum flexibility for site visualization and project planning.
If you identify issues with the accuracy of this tool, please send a note to ACWA staff.
USDA: New Five-Year Circuit Rider Contract to National Rural Water Association
This week USDA announced awarding the National Rural Water Association (NRWA) a five-year contract for the Circuit Rider Technical Assistance Program. NRWA is a non-profit organization operating nationwide to train and support water and wastewater professionals who work in and serve rural and remote communities. USDA reports that NRWA “uses USDA’s Circuit Rider Program to ensure rural infrastructure is safeguarded and protected by personnel trained in the day-to-day operational, financial, or managerial needs specific to rural systems.” Questions about how you can access assistance in your state or area may be directed to your local USDA office or the NRWA State Association page.
For more information on USDA Rural Development investments in rural America, visit the Rural Data Gateway.
Association Updates
ACWA 2026 Annual Meeting – Draft Agenda Now Available
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
ACWA has provided a draft agenda for attendee travel approval purposes. View the draft agenda here.
Check here on our website for more information regarding registration, lodging, and agenda updates.
Your Chance to be Featured in ACWA’s 2026 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 15th, 2026
- Include your name and the location of the photograph
Thank you!
Meetings and Webinars
Water Cybersecurity Assessment Tool (WCAT) Webinar
Date and Time: May 13, 2026, 1-2:30 pm ET
REGISTER HERE
EPA’s Office of Water Emergency Response and Cybersecurity (OWERC) will demonstrate how to use EPA’s Water Cybersecurity Assessment Tool (WCAT) to conduct cybersecurity assessments at water and wastewater systems.
Iranian APT Actors Targeting PLCs: Impacts and Mitigations for Water and Wastewater Systems
Date and Time: May 14, 2026, 2 pm ET
REGISTER HERE
EPA will address the active cyber threat posed by Iranian affiliated advanced persistent threat (APT) actors targeting internet exposed programmable logic controllers (PLCs) across U.S. critical infrastructure, including water and wastewater systems. As detailed in the April 2026 Joint Cybersecurity Advisory (AA26 097A), these actors have been exploiting internet connected PLCs and impacting operational technology (OT) systems. EPA will provide an overview of this threat activity, including actor tactics, techniques, and indicators of compromise, and discuss the real-world impacts to critical infrastructure sectors. EPA will then walk through the recommended mitigations to reduce risk and highlight the resources and no cost services available to help water and wastewater utilities implement these protections and strengthen their cyber resilience against this ongoing threat.
Audience: This webinar is intended for water and wastewater utility personnel and stakeholders only and is not intended for media or press.
How Water Sector Utilities are Building Resilience to Natural Hazards: Utilities Recount their Engagement with EPA SWIFT Technical Assistance
Date and Time: May 20, 2026, 1-2 pm ET
REGISTER HERE
Join US EPA’s Strengthening Water Infrastructure for Tomorrow (SWIFT) initiative to learn how water sector utilities are benefitting from natural hazard risk assessment technical assistance. The technical assistance provided by SWIFT’s experts is tailored to meet the needs of each utility request, from improving the understanding of natural hazard impacts to their system to quantifying the potential reductions in risk that specific projects can deliver. Hear directly from utility representatives across the country that have engaged in the process to build system resilience to various natural hazards.
Creating the Water Workforce of the Future Webinar: WaterNow Alliance’s Project Accelerator, Emerging Leader Awards, and Community Partnerships
Date and Time: May 26, 2026, 12 – 1:30 pm ET
REGISTER HERE
Water and wastewater utilities across the country are working to recruit, develop, and retain the staff they need to deliver safe, reliable service. WaterNow Alliance works directly with utilities in these efforts, providing technical assistance, professional development for rising leaders, and tools for strengthening community relationships. This work is funded through EPA’s Innovative Water Workforce grant program.
In this webinar, WaterNow will walk through:
- The Project Accelerator — up to 250 hours of pro-bono technical assistance to help utilities design and launch specific workforce, community engagement, or water management projects.
- The Emerging Leader Awards — recognition, a $1,500 professional development stipend, and a
peer cohort for mid-career utility staff (roughly 3–10 years in) who are moving toward leadership roles. - Community partnership resources — tools and examples from WaterNow’s work helping utilities build durable relationships with the communities they serve, including through the Building Blocks of Trust initiative with River Network.
Presenters will share examples of how utilities have used these programs, what makes for a good fit,
and how to get involved. There will also be time for questions.
This webinar is part of an ongoing webinar series hosted by EPA, in partnership with leading water
sector organizations around the country.
State Revolving Fund (SRF) Technical Assistance & Open Office Hours
Environmental Finance Center Network [external with federal funding] provides State Revolving Funds (SRFs) 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
- May 18: Federal award compliance, part 1
- June 3: Federal award compliance, part 2
Job Opportunities
Natural Resource Scientist 2
Location: Spokane, WA
Closing Date: May 13, 2026
For more information and to apply, visit Ecology Job Opportunities.
Environmental Specialist III
Location: Augusta, ME
Closing Date: May 15, 2026
*There is another Environmental Specialist III position open as well that applicants will need to apply to separately to be considered for both positions. By applying to each position, an applicant will double their chance of acquiring the ESIII permit writer position with the Bureau of Water Quality.
For more information and to apply, click here.
Environmental Specialist III
Location: Augusta, ME
Closing Date: May 15, 2026
*There is another Environmental Specialist III position open as well that applicants will need to apply to separately to be considered for both positions. By applying to each position, an applicant will double their chance of acquiring the ESIII permit writer position with the Bureau of Water Quality.
For more information and to apply, click here.
Staff Hydrogeologist (Hydrogeologist 3) (In Training)
Location: Union Gap, WA
Closing Date: May 17, 2026
For more information and to apply, visit Ecology Job Opportunities.
Environmental Analyst – Mohawk River Basin Program
Location: Albany, NY
Closing Date: May 25, 2026
To apply, submit your cover letter, resume, and a brief writing sample by email to jobs@neiwpcc.org by May 25, 2026. Please reference #26-NYS-SW-DEC-003 in the email subject line. Accepting applications until the position is filled. A full position description and benefits listing may be viewed at: https://neiwpcc.org/about-us/careers.
Environmental Analyst or Engineer – Training and Technical Assistance Specialist
Location: Lowell, MA
Closing Date: Open until filled
To apply, email your cover letter, resume, and a brief writing sample to jobs@neiwpcc.org. Please reference #26-Lowell-001 in the email subject line. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, accepting applications until the position is filled. A full position description and benefits may be viewed at: https://neiwpcc.org/about-us/careers.
Watershed Management Section Manager
Location: Thurston County – Lacey, WA
Closing Date: Continuous
If you’re interested in applying for this position or reading additional information, please follow this link:
Watershed Management Section Manager (WMS2)
Be sure to check out other opportunities on ACWA’s Job Opportunities page.
