News
$25.5 million for Small, Rural, and Tribal Communities
Last week EPA announced the availability of $25.5 million in grant funding for technical assistance providers to help small, rural, and tribal communities address wastewater infrastructure challenges to protect human health and comply with the Clean Water Act. EPA is accepting applications from water technical assistance providers until August 14. EPA’s grant funding is intended to address communities’ most pressing challenges, including supporting water quality compliance issues; providing training on water infrastructure and management best practices; helping communities navigate the federal funding application process, and investing in reliable infrastructure solutions. More information and an EPA press release can be found here: EPA Announces $25.5 million to Address Wastewater Challenges in Rural, Small, and Tribal Communities
Real Time Data Monitoring on Lake Erie
Last week the WaterDaily published an article that discussed real time monitoring on Lake Erie. Over the years the Cleveland Water Alliance has been outfitting Lake Erie with a state-of-the-art telecommunications infrastructure and hundreds of IoT sensors, making it the largest digitally connected freshwater body in the world. The sensor network “provides robust, real-time data to industry, utility, agriculture, maritime, research, and recreational interests across the region by enhancing our ability to provide functional, streamlined solutions for monitoring water quality in ever-changing conditions.” To access the WaterDaily article please click here. For more information on the Cleveland Water Alliance and this initiative, please click here.
Puerto Rico Water Shortage
Earlier this month the Associated Press (AP) published an article highlighting the ongoing water shortage in Puerto Rico. Drought has been identified as the cause of the shortage. Hurricane damage to utility infrastructure has not helped the problem. Many residents in more populated areas are having to purchase drinking water and haul buckets from water trucks to their homes to take showers, wash dishes, flush toilets, etc. Utility water pressure has been so low at times it is not reaching the tops of three story buildings. For several days this month, restaurants and other businesses were forced to close their restrooms. While some utility customers reported intermittent service more than a year ago, the drought this year has worsened the issue. The AP reported that “nearly 40,000 customers were hit with water outages on the first weekend of June. That prompted Gov. Jenniffer González to activate the National Guard…” As with most places, drinking water in Puerto Rico generally comes from rivers, reservoirs, and underground aquifers. A copy of the AP article can be found here.
EPA, DOJ Reach Proposed PFAS Settlement with Chemours
EPA and the U.S. Department of Justice announced a proposed settlement with Chemours to address alleged violations of the Clean Water Act and other environmental statutes related to PFAS releases from facilities in West Virginia, North Carolina, and New Jersey. If approved by the court, the consent decree would require the company to invest more than $337 million in treatment systems, alternative drinking water, and facility upgrades, as well as implement a $90 million PFAS mitigation program and pay a $22.5 million civil penalty.
According to EPA, the settlement addresses alleged violations of the Clean Water Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and the Toxic Substances Control Act, including unauthorized PFAS discharges and noncompliance with NPDES permit requirements. The agreement also includes long-term treatment and monitoring measures at four Chemours facilities and is subject to a 30-day public comment period before final court approval. State enforcement actions and other ongoing litigation related to PFAS contamination are expected to continue independently of the proposed federal settlement.
Water Utility Climate Alliance Announces Two New Publications
The Water Utility Climate Alliance (WUCA) has announced two recent publications:
- A Beginner’s Guide to Decision Making Under Deep Uncertainty for Water Utilities. This report—project managed by Alan Cohn of NYCDEP and developed by The Water Institute—provides an accessible introduction to Decision Making Under Deep Uncertainty (DMDU) through 1) highlighting the types of insights DMDU can offer, and 2) outlining the core components of a DMDU approach
- Purpose-Driven Climate Data Selection and Application Case Studies. This set of case studies—project managed by Keely Brooks of the Southern Nevada Water Authority and Nolie Templeton of the Central Arizona Project and developed by Jeff Lukas of Lukas Climate Research and Consulting and Julie Vano of the Aspen Global Change Institute—highlights how four WUCA member utilities have utilized climate model data in their planning. Each utility case study details the factors behind the selection, processing, and application of climate model datasets in planning analyses.
Association Updates
Vote Today!
Voting is currently open for ACWA’s Executive Leadership and Board of Directors. All ACWA “members in good standing” received an email with a link to the ballot.
Along with the Executive Officers, this year it is the odd Regions and Interstates that are up for election. Please cast your vote no later than July 27, 2026.
All “members in good standing” may participate in these elections. The “member in good standing” is the formal or primary ACWA representative for the state/interstate agency that paid dues for the previous fiscal year (FY2026). If you are unsure whether your FY2026 dues are paid, feel free to reach out to Julia Anastasio or Annette Ivey, and we can let you know. Only one vote per state/interstate.
Thank you for your continued support of ACWA! If you cannot find the email message with the link to the ballot, please contact Julia Anastasio.
Notice – No Wrap the Week of June 29, 2026
In observance of the holiday week, ACWA will not publish a Weekly Wrap the week of June 29, 2026. Look out for our next edition the week of July 6, 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.
Meetings and Webinars
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
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.
Environmental Engineer –Wastewater
Location: Des Moines, IA
Closing Date: July 8, 2026
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has an exciting opportunity for a Wastewater Engineer who demonstrates technical skills, customer focus and is a detail-oriented team player to join the Wastewater Engineering team to help protect Iowa’s water quality.
As a Wastewater Engineer, you will play a key role in supporting the engineering team to protect the environment and public health. Your responsibilities will include reviewing construction permit applications, overseeing wastewater treatment and collection system infrastructure projects, and approving engineering planning reports, antidegradation alternatives analyses, plans and specifications. You will also be responsible for approving construction permits for non-funded wastewater projects, as well as some projects funded through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF).
For specific job duties, requirements, and application information, visit: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/iowa/jobs/5387434/environmental-engineer-wastewater
Or you may visit: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/iowa and search by job title.
Environmental Analyst – Long Island Sound Regional Coordinator
Location: Albany, NY
Closing Date: July 12, 2026
To apply, submit your cover letter, resume, and a brief writing sample by email to jobs@neiwpcc.org by July 12, 2026. Please reference #26-NYS-LIS-DEC-001 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.
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.
