News
ACWA Sends Analysis of BAAJA to Congressional Leadership
ACWA sent a letter to House and Senate leaders on the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026 (BAAJA). The bill would significantly change how states, EPA, and the Army Corps implement the Clean Water Act (CWA). It would require APA rulemaking for Section 304(a) criteria, substantially rewrite Section 401 certification standards and procedures, double the maximum NPDES permit term to ten years, and reshape Section 404 permitting and judicial review. Because states carry out these programs day to day, our analysis focuses on what the changes would mean for state procedures and workload. The letter was sent to ensure congressional leaders have a full picture of state perspectives as they consider this legislation.
EPA Releases Two Technical Fact Sheets on Lagoons
This week EPA released two technical fact sheets on wastewater lagoons, synthesizing system benefits and challenges, design criteria, performance, operation and maintenance, and cost considerations. One fact sheet features aerated lagoons, where oxygen is supplied to the system through surface aerators or a diffused aeration system; the other covers facultative lagoons, which do not provide supplemental aeration. The fact sheets represent significant updates to the original 2002 publications, reflecting advances in the state of the science and best practices. These publications are part of EPA’s broader effort to provide communities with modern, practical technical resources that support informed infrastructure decisions. More information on lagoon resources and access to these factsheets can be found here: Lagoon Wastewater Treatment Systems | US EPA.
End of 2005 Air Compliance Agreements
Back in 2005 approximately 2,600 CAFOs, representing nearly 14,000 farms, joined the 2005 Air Compliance Agreement and agreed to participate in the National Air Emissions Monitoring Study. Using NAEMS data on ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, particulate matter, and volatile organic compounds, EPA developed draft emissions estimating methodologies for each participating sector. In November 2024, EPA released updated draft methodologies for public comment. After the comment period closed in August 2025, EPA identified key limitations with respect to the representativeness and age of data, as well as changes to standard operational practices and technologies that could not be resolved with the existing data. This week EPA announced it will not develop emissions estimates as part of the 2005 Animal Feeding Operations Consent Agreement and Final Order (2005 Air Compliance Agreement). EPA’s enforcement office will work to end obligations under that agreement. A copy of the press release can be found here: Trump EPA Brings Closure to 20-Year-Old Agreements, Ending Decades Long Uncertainty For Thousands of American Farms
Real Water Technical Assistance (RealWaterTA)
This includes a one-stop-shop EPA water technical assistance request form where communities can request no-cost direct water technical assistance to evaluate their drinking water, wastewater, stormwater infrastructure, and water quality improvement needs. Communities will be selected on a rolling basis. Contact RealWaterTA@epa.gov if you have any questions.
Association Updates
Notice – No Wrap the Week of November 9, 2026
In observance of the holiday week, ACWA will not publish a Weekly Wrap the week of November 9, 2026. Look out for our next edition the week of November 16, 2026.
2026 National NPDES Program Efficiencies Workshop
This week ACWA hosted the 2026 National NPDES Program Efficiencies Workshop which was held virtually November 4-6, 2026. This week’s meeting had 379 people representing 48 states, the District of Columbia, 9 of the 10 EPA Regions, and several from EPA HQs. The main purpose of the meeting is to support implementation of EPA and state NPDES permitting programs by highlighting administrative efficiencies, sharing best management practices, showcasing innovative state approaches, highlighting useful technologies, facilitating coregulator discussions, and identifying challenges and barriers. Meeting presentation topics discussed included NPDES jurisdictional determinations, permit applications systems and NOIs, a WQBEL calculator, reasonable potential analysis, electronic public comment tools, monitoring and reporting tools and policies, inspections, data management, violation determination & response, and using innovations and AI to help regulators and the regulated. Presentations will be available in ACWA’s Member365 system.
2027 State Summit on Water Reuse – Save the Date!
ACWA, ASDWA, ECOS, ASTHO, GWPC, and U.S. EPA are pleased to announce that the 2027 State Summit on Water Reuse will take place on Monday, March 1, 2027, at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada, in conjunction with the annual WateReuse Association Symposium.
This free, state regulator-only event provides an opportunity for state regulators from across the country to exchange information, share experiences and best practices, and engage with federal partners on emerging water reuse issues. The Summit will feature perspectives from a variety of states and facilitate discussions on water reuse priorities, opportunities, challenges, and regulatory developments. Previous Summits have addressed topics including potable and non-potable reuse, agricultural and industrial applications, emerging water demands associated with data centers, and federal initiatives such as EPA’s Water Reuse Action Plan (WRAP). Additional information, including the Summit agenda and registration details, will be shared in the coming months.
Please contact Ward Scott (wscott@acwa-us.org) with any questions.
ACWA 2027 Spring Clean Water Act Regulators Summit – View the Updated Draft Agenda
Dates: March 24, 2027 at 8:00 am – March 25, 2027 at 12:00 pm
Board of Directors will meet March 23, 2027.
Venue: The Hilton Alexandria Old Town, Alexandria, VA
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.
2027 National CAFO Roundtable Workshop Announced
Date: April 13 – 14, 2027
Purpose: The 2027 National CAFO Roundtable supports the implementation of animal agriculture programs nationwide by helping support states and EPA to further identify challenges & barriers to Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) program implementation, sharing new technologies, best management practices, showcasing innovative state programs and initiatives, 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 agriculture industry and other stakeholders.
Meeting Details: 2027 National CAFO Roundtable Workshop – ACWA Meeting Page
Other Meetings and Webinars
42nd Annual WateReuse Symposium
The WateReuse Association is hosting the 42nd Annual WateReuse Symposium from March 1-4, 2027 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Early Bird registration window is open from October 28 to December 16. Register during this period to save on full conference registration and secure your spot on exclusive tours of Las Vegas’ most innovative water recycling projects. Please click here to register and for more information.
The WateReuse Symposium unites water professionals and water reuse practitioners globally for knowledge-sharing, networking, and collaboration. The Symposium is the most comprehensive water recycling learning opportunity available, covering regulations, research, operations, workforce, and public perception for applications that range from irrigation and potable reuse to onsite and industrial systems.
Cybersecurity Exercises and Technical Assistance Courses
The Cybersecurity Incident Response Plan and Tabletop Exercise sessions remain one of the best ways to provide a structured foundation and practical tools for building a comprehensive Cybersecurity Incident Response Plan. Facilities can take the Cybersecurity Incident Action Checklist and align it with their operational needs, develop actionable procedures, and generate a complete department-coordinated plan that integrates with their existing Emergency Response Plan. EPA’s clear explanations and real-world insights make it easier to turn guidance into something functional and site-specific. EPA remains committed to providing exercises and technical assistance on cybersecurity topics to the Water Sector. View the upcoming schedule through December 2026 and register here.
Water Research Seminar | Practical Monitoring of Wastewater and Surface Water: From Sampling to Data Interpretation
Date and Time: 11-10-2026 @ 01:00 PM (EDT) to 11-10-2026 @ 02:00 PM (EDT)
REGISTER HERE
The session will discuss how wastewater and surface water monitoring can be integrated to identify biological and chemical contaminants, including pathogens and emerging contaminants such as PFAS. Practical monitoring strategies, treatment considerations, and data interpretation approaches will be presented, with emphasis on supporting early detection and informed decision-making. The presentation will also introduce how data analytics and predictive tools can help identify water quality trends and support proactive management. The goal is to provide small-system professionals with practical concepts and examples that can be applied to improve water quality protection and public health decision making.
Driving Transportation MS4 Improvements Through Coordination
Date and Time: November 18, 2026, 2:00 – 3: 00 pm ET
REGISTER HERE
State Departments of Transportation permitted under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System’s municipal separate storm sewer system program must manage their highway stormwater effectively while achieving their mission of safe transport of goods and the public. There are some key differences between how traditional MS4 permittees (cities and counties) manage stormwater and how transportation departments manage stormwater. For example, DOTs have different legal authorities to control stormwater and use mechanisms other than ordinances. In addition, their linear roadway systems often cross multiple watersheds and have limited right-of-way space. Collaboration between state DOT MS4 permittees and state NPDES permitting authorities helps identify these unique challenges and find opportunities to acknowledge and tailor the permit requirements. Join speakers from two states as we explore examples of collaborating to tailor transportation MS4 permits for highway systems and deliver better environmental results.
Speakers:
- Heather Goss, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- Cindy Dionne, Maine Department of Transportation
- Gregg Wood, Maine Department of Environmental Protection
- Chris Swanson, Virginia Department of Transportation
- Jaime Robb, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
To request accessibility accommodations for this webinar, please email goss.heather@epa.gov by November 4, 2026.
Technical Assistance Webinar Series: Strengthening CWA-NPDES Permit Compliance to Protect Surface Waters
Date/Time: Thursday, November 19, 2026, 1-2:30pm ET
Ohio EPA’s Wastewater Compliance Assistance Unit (CAU) staff work alongside with operators and wastewater treatment staff to help identify performance-limiting factors and implement cost effective solutions to achieve compliance. This webinar will provide attendees with an understanding of CAU’s process to achieve compliance with the facility’s NPDES permit. The webinar will provide many examples of issues identified and the corrective action taken to return the facility back into compliance.
Presenters: Andrew Gall and Nick Hammer, Ohio EPA, Division of Surface Water’s Wastewater Compliance Assistance Unit
Registration: Troubleshooting Activated Sludge: The Ohio EPA CAU Approach
The Economic Benefits of Protecting Healthy Watersheds
Date and Time: Tuesday, December 1, 2026, 1:00PM-2:30PM ET
Topic: The Economic Benefits of Protecting Healthy Watersheds
EPA is holding a webinar on a new resource “The Economic Benefits of Protecting Healthy Watersheds” is scheduled for Tuesday, December 1, 2026, from 1:00PM-2:30PM EST. This webinar will feature presentations highlighting the measurable economic returns of watershed protection. Experts will provide a primer on healthy watersheds and economic valuation.
Register for this webinar here.
Speakers:
- Dr. Tammy Newcomer-Johnson and Dr. Leah Sharpe, USEPA Office of Applied Science and Environmental Solutions
- Dr. Peter Caldwell, USDA US Forest Service– Southern Research Station
- Dr. Roger von Haefen, NC State University- Center for Environmental and Resource Economics Policy
- Dr. Marie Gutgesell, ORISE USDA US Forest Service – Pacific Northwest Research Station
Wastewater Lagoon Optimization Strategies
Date and Time: 12-1-2026 @ 01:00 PM (EDT) to 12-1-2026 @ 02:00 PM (EDT)
REGISTER HERE
This webinar covers practical operational optimization practices that can help operators maximize treatment efficiency and maintain compliance in lagoon systems. While lagoons are highly cost-effective, utilities often experience performance declines due to excessive sludge buildup, hydraulic or organic overloading, and short-circuiting. Mastering lagoon optimization techniques empowers personnel to accurately calculate retention times, analyze effluent data, and implement strategies to prevent short-circuiting and optimize overall treatment.
Water Sector Utility Case Studies for Building Resilience to Natural Hazards
Date and Time: Wednesday, December 9, 2026, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm EST
REGISTER HERE
SWIFT technical assistance is tailored to meet the needs of each utility’s request, from building risk and resilience assessments, to updating emergency response plans, to quantifying the potential reductions in risk that specific resilience projects can deliver. Learn how water sector utilities are benefitting from SWIFT technical assistance. Hear directly from utility representatives across the country that have engaged in the process to build system resilience to various natural hazards.
For questions or additional information about the webinar, please email ramming.audrey@epa.gov.
Please note that continuing education units (CEUs) are not available for this webinar; however, supporting documentation can be provided to attendees who choose to approach their respective state agencies.
Building Winter Weather Resilience for Water Sector Utilities
Date and Time: Wednesday, January 13, 2027, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm EST
REGISTER HERE
Ready for the winter season? SWIFT’s experts can provide customized technical assistance to help your utility build resilience to winter weather hazards through risk-informed project planning and investment. Review this winter’s seasonal outlook, learn about the SWIFT technical assistance experience, and explore tools that can help your utility better understand and assess system impacts and identify resilient solutions.
For questions or additional information about the webinar, please email ramming.audrey@epa.gov.
Please note that continuing education units (CEUs) are not available for this webinar; however, supporting documentation can be provided to attendees who choose to approach their respective state agencies.
Job Opportunities
Deputy Director (Deputy / Chief 6)
Location: Portland, OR
Closing Date: November 9, 2026
For more information and to apply, visit Oregon Job Opportunities.
Information Officer – Environmental Data Scientist
Location: Windsor, CT
Closing Date: November 18, 2026
To apply, email your cover letter, resume and writing sample to jobs@neiwpcc.org by November 18, 2026. Please reference #27-CT-LIS-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.
Assistant Environmental Engineer
Location: Augusta, ME
Closing Date: November 23, 2026
For more information and to apply, visit Careers at State of Maine.
Environmental Analyst – Trainer and Technical Assistance Provider
Location: Northeast, USA
Closing Date: Applications accepted on a rolling basis
Seeking multiple part-time Environmental Analysts to join our collaborative team for our wastewater training and technical assistance programs, which offer more than 100 training events annually and support communities throughout the Northeast. To apply, email your cover letter, resume, and a brief writing sample to jobs@neiwpcc.org. Please reference #27-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 may be viewed at: https://neiwpcc.org/about-us/careers.
Information Officer – Land Acquisition Specialist
Location: Albany, NY
Closing Date: Open Until Filled
To apply, submit your cover letter, resume, and a brief writing sample by email to jobs@neiwpcc.org. Please reference job code #26-NYS-SW-DEC-006 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.
Environmental Hydrogeologist 2
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Closing Date: Open Until Filled
For more information and to apply, visit this link.
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.
