News
Progress Towards Pollution Reductions in Gulf
This week EPA announced Hypoxia Task Force progress towards meeting voluntary, interim goals to reduce excess nutrients that enter the Gulf of America. The announcement coincides with USGS data showing that total nitrogen has decreased by 28 percent compared to the baseline, however the interim target for total phosphorus has not yet been met. Twelve states (Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin) have been working to shrink the large hypoxic zone in the gulf. EPA and the other federal members of the Hypoxia Task Force will also continue to seek new science advancements and help states and Tribes to integrate the findings into the development and implementation of their nutrient reduction strategies. Congress authorized funding for EPA’s Gulf Hypoxia Program in fiscal years 2022-2026 to implement the Gulf Hypoxia Action Plan. A copy of the press release can be found here.
EPA Files Appeal in Center for Biological Diversity v. EPA
EPA petitioned the Circuit Court for a panel rehearing or rehearing en banc in Center for Biological Diversity v. EPA (9th Cir. No. 23-2946), filed May 28, 2026. The Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) challenged EPA’s 2016 water quality criteria recommendations for cadmium under CWA § 304(a), arguing EPA violated ESA § 7 by not consulting with the Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service before publishing those recommendations. A divided Ninth Circuit panel affirmed the district court’s summary judgment for CBD, with Judge Miller dissenting on standing grounds. EPA’s rehearing petition raises two main arguments. First, it contends the majority’s standing analysis was legally flawed. Specifically, it improperly “relaxed” causation standards throughout a highly attenuated six-step causal chain, when the procedural-rights relaxation should apply only to the first link (whether consultation would have changed EPA’s own recommendation). States’ broad independent discretion to adopt or reject EPA’s recommendations, EPA argues, breaks the causal chain entirely. Second, EPA argues the majority was wrong on the merits. No circuit has ever held that publishing nonbinding scientific recommendations constitutes “agency action” triggering ESA § 7 consultation, and extending the rule that far would impose enormous practical burdens on EPA’s ability to issue water quality guidance.
House Appropriations Committee Advances FY2027 Interior and Environment Spending Bill with Significant EPA Cuts
The House Appropriations Committee passed its Fiscal Year 2027 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies spending bill on June 3, 2026, following subcommittee approval on May 25. The bill sets a total discretionary allocation of $39 billion or $675 million below FY2026 enacted levels but $7.4 billion above the Trump administration’s original budget request. The committee proposes cutting the EPA’s budget by $1.8 billion, a 20% reduction from current enacted levels. While significantly less severe than the administration’s request, which would have slashed EPA’s budget by 52%, bringing it to approximately $4.2 billion, the proposed cut would still represent one of the deeper reductions to the agency in recent history. The cuts are not evenly distributed across EPA’s programs. The bill targets enforcement and science particularly hard, proposing a $169 million (46%) cut to EPA enforcement activities and a $216 million reduction to science programs. Water infrastructure programs would see a $576 million cut. The bill now awaits action by the full House. The Senate has yet to advance its own version of the bill, and a bipartisan agreement is expected to be difficult given the gap between Republican and Democratic priorities.
EPA Releases Coral Reef Water Quality Evidence Dashboard
EPA’s Corals Program announced the release of the Coral Reef Water Quality Evidence Dashboard. This dashboard is the first comprehensive, filterable tool for identifying relevant studies linking water quality stressors to coral reef condition. It was developed in response to the United States Coral Reef Task Force’s (USCRTF) request and in collaboration with USCRTF members. The dashboard can be found here: here, and is linked from the corals webpage. The underlying data supporting the dashboard can be found in an excel format here.
Comment Period Reminder: Proposed Steam Electric ELG Unmanaged Combustion Residual Leachate
EPA is proposing to modify the Steam Electric ELG specifically for the unmanaged combustion residual leachate at existing sources. The comment deadline isJune 17, 2026.
Comment Period Reminder: Proposed Updates to Coal Combustion Residuals Program
EPA reopened comment on its proposed federal permit program for coal-ash disposal, which governs impoundments that can affect groundwater. Comments must be received on or before June 29, 2026.
Comment Period Reminder: National Handbook of Conservation Practices
NRCS is revising several conservation practices related to agricultural/nonpoint-source and watershed conservation including practices associated with treatment for ag waste, composting, dust control, energy efficiency, irrigation, short erm storage of animal waste, waste treatment, wastewater treatment at dairies, and water spreading. The comment deadline is July 6, 2026.
Federal Register :: Proposed Revisions to the National Handbook of Conservation Practices
Comment Period Reminder: Proposed Financial Assistance Rules
OMB is proposing numerous multiagency updates to policies and requirements related to the management of grants, cooperative agreements, and other forms of assistance. The proposed changes reflect the administration’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and proper oversight for the Federal grantmaking process. Comments due July 13, 2026.
Federal Register :: Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance
Association Updates
Notice – No Wrap the Week of June 15, 2026
In observance of the holiday week, ACWA will not publish a Weekly Wrap the week of June 15, 2026. Look out for our next edition the week of June 22, 2026.
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 updated the draft agenda. 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
Meetings and Webinars
EPA Tools and Resources Webinar: Practical Tools to Advance Water Reuse
When: June 17, 2026, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM ET
Register for the Practical Tools to Advance Water Reuse webinar
There are no overarching federal regulations specific to water reuse. Instead, states, Tribes, and territories can establish their own regulations or standards. This approach has led to a fragmented landscape for aspiring water reuse practitioners, including industrial water users who operate in many states. Join us for an informational webinar with EPA’s Water Reuse Program, which is working to remove barriers to water reuse. Our presenters will address the latest developments of EPA’s Water Reuse Action Plan 2.0 initiative and will highlight the EPA’s priorities for advancing water reuse in key industrial sectors, such as manufacturing and AI. Presenters will also provide a live walkthrough of the REUSExplorer, a searchable tool for navigating summaries of state reuse regulations. Additionally, the webinar will provide insight into EPA’s 2025 publication Risk-Based Framework for Developing Microbial Treatment Targets. Attendees will leave with new resources and tools they can incorporate and utilize in existing or future water reuse activities.
SWC and SPFW Webinar on Using Clean Water State Revolving Funds for Source Water Protection
Date and Time: June 17, 2026, 2:00 – 3:30 pm ET
REGISTER HERE
On Wednesday, June 17, 2026, from 2:00–3:30 pm ET, the Source Water Collaborative (SWC) and Southeastern Partnership for Forests & Water (SPFW) will host a webinar on using Clean Water State Revolving Funds (CWSRF) for source water protection. This webinar is part of the “Stronger Together” series. During the webinar, speakers will provide an SRF program overview, including an explanation of the relevant differences between Drinking Water and Clean Water SRFs. Speakers from Oregon DEQ will also outline how they have been working with partners in the Northwest to use the CWSRF for innovative source water protection, highlighting approaches for land conservation, planning, and local community loans that can be adapted and applied in other states. For more information, view the webinar flyer and register for the webinar here.
Environmental Finance Center Network: The Clean Water Act Puzzle
When: June 23, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:00PM ET
Register: Webinar | The Clean Water Act Puzzle
Description: In 1972, The Clean Water Act (CWA) was the first of the major environmental statute passed by Congress for enactment by the then fledgling Environmental Protection Agency. The wide-ranging statute covers a multitude of activities that were designed to work in unison to restore, maintain, and protect the nation’s surface waters. Because of the expansiveness of the CWA, practitioners may only deal with a discreet portion (e.g., NPDES permitting) without understanding how that discreet portion fits into the objectives of the overall Act – like pieces of a puzzle fitting together to create a big picture. Join us for this no-cost webinar with Mike Tate, a seasoned expert with over 40 years of experience in dealing with all aspects of the CWA. You’ll get an insider’s look at how visionary the CWA was and still is in its goal of improving the quality of the nation’s surface waters.
Environmental Finance Center Network: PFAS Treatment for Rural Water Treatment Systems: Practical Technologies, Operation, and Decision-Making
When: June 23, 2026, 2:00 PM – 3:00PM ET
Register: Water Research Seminar | PFAS Treatment for Rural Water Treatment Systems: Practical Technologies, Operation, and Decision-Making – Environmental Finance Center Network
Description: This seminar will provide a practical and operator-focused overview of PFAS management for rural water treatment systems, emphasizing real-world operational decision-making, regulatory awareness, sampling practices, and treatment selection. Common PFAS sources affecting rural systems, including firefighting foam applications, landfills, wastewater treatment plant effluent, biosolids land application, septic systems, stormwater runoff, and contaminated groundwater, are discussed along with key aspects of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s 2024 National Primary Drinking Water Regulation for PFAS, including monitoring requirements, reporting obligations, and maximum contaminant levels (MCLs).
EPA’s Water Cybersecurity Assessment Tool Training
When: June 24, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:30PM ET
Register: Meeting Registration – Zoom
Description: 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.
June 25: EPA’s Cybersecurity Procurement Checklist Tool Training
When: June 25, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:30PM ET
Register: Meeting Registration – Zoom
Description: EPA’s Office of Water Emergency Response and Cybersecurity (OWERC) will demonstrate how to use EPA’s Cybersecurity Procurement Evaluation Checklist for Drinking Water and Wastewater Systems to assess and compare cybersecurity-related vendors.
EPA’s Virtual National Cyber Drill
When: July 8, 2026, 1:00 PM – 3:00PM ET
Register: Register For the Virtual National Cyber Drill
Description: The drill is designed to test the ability of drinking water and wastewater utilities to maintain critical functions during a temporary loss of telecommunications and internet services.
What you’ll do:
- Operate in a “disconnected” environment (limited/no SCADA remote access, cloud, email, Voice over IP, or other digital communications tools).
- Test preparedness by practicing manual operations at your system or joining a tabletop exercise.
Objectives:
- Assess your ability to sustain essential water/wastewater operations without telecom/internet.
- Exercise cyber incident response plans and manual workarounds.
- Identify gaps, resource needs, and resilience improvements.
Continuing Education Units (CEUs): will be provided in most states.
EPA’s Insider Threat Mitigation Webinar.
When: July 9, 2026, 3:00 PM – 4:00PM ET
Register: Meeting Registration – Zoom
Description: The Insider Threat Mitigation webinar, hosted by EPA and CISA, provides information regarding potential threats posed by insiders for drinking water and wastewater systems. Insiders are individuals with authorized access to a facility, such as current or former employees, contractors, or other trusted partners, who may intentionally or inadvertently compromise system operations. This webinar will examine the potential consequences of insider actions, discuss practical and cost-effective strategies to mitigate associated risks, and highlight tools and resources available at no cost from EPA and CISA to support utilities in strengthening their security posture and operational resilience.
2026 WASP Workshop Sept 21-25 @ EPA Region 4 (Atlanta, GA)
US EPA Region 4 and the National Water Modeling Workgroup will sponsor a 5-day workshop on water quality principles/modeling using the Water Quality Analysis Simulation Program (WASP) onSeptember 21st – 25th. We are planning for approximately 40 people for this in-person only class at the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Building in Atlanta, GA. See attached Course Announcement for additional details and please feel free to share this announcement!
How to Register
If you are interested in attending this workshop, please visit WASP Website click the “Register for Workshop” link to complete the registration form. The workshop is open to all and there is no registration fee for the workshop. Attendees are responsible for their own travel and lodging related expenses.
Questions?
Please contact Catherine York (York.Catherine@epa.gov)
U.S. Symposium on Harmful Algae – Travel Funding & Fee Waiver Opportunities
October 25-29, 2026; Cedar Rapids, IA
The U.S. Symposium on Harmful Algae focuses on enhancing our understanding of harmful algal blooms and their effects on aquatic ecosystems, public health, and communities. Through scientific sessions and specialized breakout discussions, participants will engage in conversations about emerging challenges, innovative approaches, and updates in HAB science, management, policy, and programs. This dynamic four-day event features plenary sessions, breakout discussions, and scientific poster presentations covering key topics such as bloom dynamics, monitoring and management, prevention and mitigation strategies, emerging technologies, community engagement, and modeling and forecasting. The primary goal is to facilitate knowledge sharing, address emerging issues, and drive progress toward effective HAB management. Attendees also value the many opportunities to network, connect with colleagues, and discuss the latest developments in the world of HABs. The 13th U.S. Symposium on Harmful Algae will take place on October 25-29, 2026 in Cedar Rapids, IA.
Applications are now being accepted for fee waivers and/or travel support to attend the 13th U.S. Symposium on Harmful Algae. Funding is provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NOAA/NCCOS) and is intended to help defray travel costs for two groups of program participants: (i) U.S.-based graduate studens and postdoctoral researchers; and (ii) public health and resource managers, particularly those from state, local, and tribal agencies who would otherwise be unable to attend. Applications for financial assistance are due by June 12, 2026. Please click here for more information.
Job Opportunities
Solid Waste Permit Engineer
Location: Duluth, Brainerd, Detroit Lakes, St. Paul, Rochester, Mankato or Marshall, MN
Closing Date: June 17, 2026
For more information and to apply, visit Minnesota Careers.
Closed Landfill Program Administrator
Location: Duluth, Brainerd, Detroit Lakes, St. Paul, Rochester, Mankato or Marshall, MN
Closing Date: June 18, 2026
For more information and to apply, visit Minnesota Careers.
Environmental Analyst – Source Water Protection
Location: Albany, NY
Closing Date: June 21, 2026
To apply, submit your cover letter, resume, and a brief writing sample by email to jobs@neiwpcc.org by June 21, 2026. Please reference #26-NYS-SW-DEC-004 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.
Environmental Analyst – Lead Testing in Schools
Location: Providence, RI
Closing Date: June 28, 2026
To apply, submit your cover letter, resume, and a brief writing sample by email to jobs@neiwpcc.org by June 28, 2026. Please reference #26-RIDOH-001 in the email subject line. Accepting applications until the position is filled. A full position description and benefits list may be viewed at: https://neiwpcc.org/about-us/careers.
Manager, Office of Stormwater Permitting & Compliance
Location: Richmond, VA
Closing Date: Open Until Filled
This position leads DEQ’s construction and municipal stormwater programs. For a full position description and information on how to apply, please follow this link: Manager, Office of Stormwater Permitting and Compliance.
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.
