News
Proposed Updates to Steam Electric ELG
This week EPA announced proposed rule revisions to the Steam Electric ELG and is proposing three regulatory options to address the two types of unmanaged combustion residual leachate (CRL) discussed in the proposed rule. The first type of unmanaged CRL includes CRL leached from a landfill or impoundment into the subsurface and mixed with groundwater before being captured and pumped to the surface for discharge directly to WOTUS (Type A). The second type of unmanaged CRL includes those discharges to groundwater deemed to be functional equivalent of a direct discharge to WOTUS, as determined by the permitting authority (Type B).
- Option 1A: Retain numeric limits for arsenic and mercury
- Option 1B: Case by case BAT limitations based on BPJ basis
- Option 2A: 2024 ELG language, retain numeric limits for arsenic and mercury
- Option 2B: 2024 ELG language, retain numeric limits for arsenic and mercury
- Option 3A: Zero discharge limits
- Option 3B: Zero discharge limits
While the proposal does not change the current rule’s “zero-discharge” limits for flue gas desulfurization (FGD) wastewater, bottom ash transport water, managed combustion residual leachate, EPA has said it might also address those standards in the future.
EPA believes the proposed rule recommendations would save between $446 million to $1.09 billion dollars annually. There will be a 30 day comment period once published in the federal register. More details can be found here: Steam Electric Power Generating ELG – Unmanaged CRL | US EPA
CRS: Data Centers and Energy
This week the Congressional Research Service (CRS) published a report titled: Data Centers and Their Energy Consumption: Frequently Asked Questions. In summary, the report introduces data centers the “facility that houses and runs large computer systems” and notes that US data center annual energy usage in 2023 was approximately 176 terawatt-hours (TWh) or roughly 4.4% of US annual electricity consumption. Some projections show that data center energy consumption could double or triple by 2028. Approximately “one-half or greater of the electric power demand of data centers stems directly from the operation of electronic IT equipment” while most of the rest is used for cooling. The report notes “there are no legally binding energy standards that apply explicitly to operation of data centers in the private sector.”
For more details and a copy of this report: Data Centers and Their Energy Consumption: Frequently Asked Questions
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
Webinar | Community Engagement in Stormwater Planning – Environmental Finance Center Network
Date and Time: May 19, 2026, 1-2 pm ET
REGISTER HERE
Comprehensive stormwater management planning can play a pivotal role in enabling communities to address stormwater management challenges and goals strategically, leveraging staff time and budgets to achieve the biggest impact in protecting the health and safety of residents, properties, and public assets. Community engagement is a critical component of this process, enabling utilities to tap into local knowledge around stormwater management issues, align this process with other priorities or complementary initiatives, and create a foundation for long-term, robust community engagement effort around stormwater. This webinar will share resources and highlight the experience of communities in incorporating community engagement throughout the planning process.
Panelists:
- Barbara Hopkins, Executive Director, Green Infrastructure Leadership Exchange
- Claire Maulhardt, Stormwater Utility Director, Capital Region Water
- Amy Weinfurter, Director of Strategic Projects, WaterNow Alliance (Moderator)
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.
Microorganisms and PFAS Remediation: Practical Insights for Small Water and Wastewater Systems
Date and Time: May 21, 2026, 2-3 pm ET
REGISTER HERE
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), known as “forever chemicals,” are persistent contaminants that pose growing challenges for small water and wastewater systems. This presentation explores how aquatic microorganisms, particularly biofilms growing on submerged plants such as Vallisneria americana, respond to PFAS exposure. By examining both field and controlled studies, the session highlights how PFAS affects microbial communities and discusses the potential for certain bacteria to contribute to PFAS transformation or remediation. Participants will gain practical knowledge on microbial processes, monitoring considerations, and how biological approaches may support PFAS management in small systems.
Presenter: Abigail Samwini, Ph.D Student (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering), Morgan State University
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
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.
Forestry Policy Lead (Environmental Planner 5)
Location: Thurston County – Lacey, WA
Closing Date: May 25, 2026
For more information and to apply, visit Ecology Job Opportunities.
Engineer Senior – Solid Waste Permit Engineer
Location: Duluth, Brainerd, Detroit Lakes, St. Paul, Rochester, Mankato, Marshall, MN
Closing Date: May 26, 2026
For more information and to apply, visit Minnesota 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.
