News
EPA Proposed Rule: Clean Water Act Section 401 Water Quality Certification Improvement Rule
On Jan. 15, EPA published its proposed rule, “Clean Water Act Section 401 Water Quality Certification Improvement Rule” to revise several agency regulations affecting the scope and implementation of state water quality certification authority under CWA Section 401. The proposal aims to streamline the permitting process, clarify statutory roles, and restrict the scope of state/tribal review to align with what EPA says is Congress’s original intent. The proposed rule would make several substantive changes to the CWA Sec. 401 certification processes, including: (i) narrowing the scope of state certification review to direct point-source discharges into waters of the U.S.; (ii) standardizing certification application elements and procedures for certification requests; (iii) prohibiting states from requiring applicants to withdraw and resubmit requests to renew certification timelines; and (iv) specifying information that must be included in certification decisions as bases for approvals, conditions, or denials.
EPA has announced that it will accept public comments on the proposed rule until February 17, 2026. Comments may be submitted to www.regulations.gov, under Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2025-2929. Additionally, EPA announced that it will host one virtual public meeting addressing the proposed rule. For more information, click here to visit EPA’s CWA Sec. 401 webpage.
Multidecadal Change in Pesticide Concentrations Relative to Human Health Benchmarks in the Nation’s Groundwater
The U.S. Geological Survey has been monitoring pesticide concentrations in groundwater for 25 principal aquifers across the conterminous United States since 1993. This study focused on concentration changes in 22 pesticides that were included in laboratory analysis from 1993 to 2023. Atrazine, deethylatrazine, alachlor, prometon, and simazine were 5 pesticides detected at moderate concentrations (greater than 10 percent of the HHB but less than or equal to the HHB). Agricultural networks had the highest percentages of wells with moderate concentrations that showed decreases over time. DBCP was the only pesticide that exceeded its respective HHB, and the exceedances occurred across all four decades.
This assessment of decadal groundwater pesticide concentrations provides a characterization of changes in water availability because of pesticide contamination in areas where groundwater is used as a drinking-water source. The results highlight the importance of continued long-term monitoring and assessment of groundwater pesticides to identify locations and specific compounds that may pose a potential risk to human health.
For a copy of the report: Multidecadal Change in Pesticide Concentrations Relative to Human Health Benchmarks in the Nation’s Groundwater
Imidacloprid in United States Rivers, 2013–2022: Persistent Presence and Emerging Chronic Hazard
Imidacloprid is a popular insecticide for treating both agricultural and nonagricultural pests, toxic to nontarget species at low concentrations in aquatic ecosystems. Widespread use of imidacloprid has led to frequent detections and increasing concentration trends in rivers and streams of the United States. For this study a total of 12,547 water samples were collected from 2013 to 2022 from 77 rivers across the United States (U.S.) and were analyzed to evaluate detections and temporal trends in imidacloprid concentrations.
Half of the sites had increasing trends, including large river sites along the Mississippi River. Estimated total loading of imidacloprid delivered to the Gulf of America from 2013 to 2022 was 129,489 kg (142.7 U.S. ton). The extensive presence of imidacloprid in U.S. waterways, the high percentage of sites with trends of increasing concentrations, and the prevalence of concentrations exceeding chronic benchmarks suggest widespread persistent risks to ecosystem health.
The findings of this study underscore the importance of continued monitoring and research that captures the full complexity of neonicotinoid use and transformation, including the presence of multiple compounds and their transformation products, to better understand environmental patterns and their potential implications for ecosystem health at national scales.
For a copy of the report: Imidacloprid in United States Rivers, 2013–2022: Persistent Presence and Emerging Chronic Hazard
NAFSMA 2026 Water Management and Innovation Awards Program Is Open
The National Association of Flood & Stormwater Management Agencies (NAFSMA) is accepting applications for its 2026 Awards Program, recognizing excellence in water management innovation and communications.
Award Categories are: Innovative Water Projects (Multi-benefit flood risk and stormwater management projects); and Excellence in Communications (Outstanding outreach in flood awareness or water quality improvement). Winners will be recognized at NAFSMA’s Annual Meeting in Annapolis, Maryland, July 13-16, 2026.
Application deadline: March 31, 2026: Details and applications: www.nafsma.org/awards-program | Questions: jennifer@nafsma.org
EPA Seeks Applicants for Environmental Education Grants
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of $3.2 million in funding for locally and regionally focused environmental education grants is now available under the Environmental Education (EE) Grant Program. EPA will award grants between $200,000-$250,000 each, up to 16 grants nationwide.
These grants support hands-on projects that help people better understand environmental challenges in their own communities and take practical steps to address them. Funded projects will focus on environmental education efforts that use modern tools, including artificial intelligence, to help identify problems early, monitor water quality, and prevent future water contamination before it affects families and neighborhoods. Funded projects will also provide participants the skills necessary to make informed decisions to take responsible actions toward environment stewardship.
Applications are due on March 3, 2026.
Interested in learning more?
- Review EE Grants Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)
- Visit the Environmental Education Grant homepage
Association Updates
2026 State Summit on Water Reuse – Registration Open
Registration is now open for the 2026 State Summit on Water Reuse, which will take place on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at the Intercontinental Los Angeles Downtown. Please click here to register for the State Summit before February 13, 2026 (Please note that registration to this event is limited to state regulators-only).
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 WaterReuse Symposium, which begins March 8.
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. Past Summit session topics have included: developments in potable reuse around the nation, non-potable reuse for agriculture, industrial reuse trends and experiences (e.g., data centers, produced water), as well as federal updates on the National Water Reuse Action Plan (WRAP) and Interagency Working Group.
ACWA and ASDWA may be able to assist with reimbursement for costs relating to state travel and lodging for the Summit. However, space and reimbursement funds are limited. Please contact Ward Scott (wscott@acwa-us.org) to request travel reimbursement or for more information. Additionally, State Summit participants are eligible to register for the Annual WateReuse Symposium at a discounted (Presenter) rate.
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
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.
39th Hypoxia Task Force Public Meeting
Registration is open for the 39th Hypoxia Task Force Public Meeting in Washington, D.C., February 5, 2026, 1:00pm-5:00pm EST. There is no cost to register and attend in person or virtually. The meeting will take place in the EPA Map Room, EPA East Building, 1201 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, D.C., EPA East Building, 1201 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington D.C.
You may register at no cost to attend in person or virtually at https://hypoxia.water-meetings.tetratech.com/StaticPublic. The agenda and meeting materials will be posted to this website soon. If you register for the virtual meeting, your confirmation email will contain details on how to join. Instructions on how to make optional public comments will be provided in your confirmation email.
You may review information about the Hypoxia Task Force at: https://www.epa.gov/ms-htf.
ECHO Biosolids Facility Searches and Report Training
Date and Time: Tuesday, March 10, 2026, 1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
REGISTER HERE
Join the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its next Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO) webinar on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, 1:00-2:00 p.m. ET on ECHO Biosolids Facility Searches and Reports.
With the implementation of the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Electronic Reporting Rule (eRule), facilities in the 41 states where EPA implements the Federal Biosolids Program and four authorized states – Arizona, South Dakota, Texas, and Utah began submitting biosolids annual reports electronically.
This training will focus on ECHO tools under the Clean Water Act NPDES biosolids program. It will provide an overview of electronic biosolids annual reporting, describe biosolids data available in ECHO and demonstrate how to use the Biosolids Facility Search, Biosolids Annual Report Search, and Biosolids Facility Report.
ECHO tutorials and recorded webinars are available at any time.
WEBINAR: Hydropower Environmental Decision Support (EDS) Toolkit (Jan 28)
Join researchers from Oak Ridge National Lab and the National Lab of the Rockies (formerly the National Renewable Energy Lab) to learn about the Hydropower Environmental Decision Support (EDS) Toolkit and how it can support your work with licensing!
Date and Time: Wednesday, January 28, 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. ET/10:00 – 11:30 a.m. PT.
Please register HERE
See below for more information. After registering, you will receive an automated email including the Zoom information for the call.
About the Toolkit:
Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, the EDS Toolkit provides science-based information, tools, and resources to help stakeholders, Tribes, and other groups navigate environmental considerations in the relicensing process. The latest version incorporates a new “What’s Next?” module that connects users to studies, mitigation measures, and regulatory requirements that could be relevant to their specific project impacts.
Webinar Agenda Highlights
- EDS Toolkit background, and connection with the Hydropower Regulatory and Permitting Information Desktop (RAPID) Toolkit
- EDS Toolkit demo
- EDS Toolkit use cases
- Q&A
Job Opportunities
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.
Environmental Engineer – TMDL Modeling and Development
Location: Atlanta, GA
Closing Date: January 29, 2026
For more information and to apply, visit Team Georgia Careers.
Student Worker Paraprofessional
Location: Duluth, MN
Closing Date: February 2, 2026
For more information and to apply, visit Minnesota Careers.
Lake Champlain Education & Outreach Steward
Location: Grand Isle & Burlington, Vermont
Closing Date: February 8, 2026
To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter to jobs@neiwpcc.org by February 8, 2026. Reference #26-LCBP-003 in the email subject line. Please review LCBP’s 2024 State of the Lake report and reflect on a specific part of the report in your cover letter. NEIWPCC is an equal opportunity employer. A full position description 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.
