News
EPA Proposes Rule Requiring Electronic Notice of Citizen Suits
EPA released a notice of proposed rulemaking requiring plaintiffs in citizen suit cases to electronically file “notices of intent” (NOI) to sue under the Clean Water Act and other environmental statutes. The notice indicates the agency will no longer accept NOIs by mail or other means. The agency explains that the new approach will receive NOIs in a timely and efficient manner. Current EPA rules require NOIs to be sent via certified mail. The proposed rule includes a practicability exception, recognizing that some individuals may have difficulty accessing the internet.
ACWA Submits Comments to EPA, “Updating the Water Quality Certification Regulations”
On February 17, ACWA submitted comments to EPA in response to the agency’s proposed rule, Updating the Water Quality Certification Regulations. The comments emphasized the importance of preserving state authority under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act and underscored the essential role states play in protecting local water resources and ensuring that federal permitting decisions fully account for downstream and long-term water quality impacts.
ACWA’s comments focused on concerns regarding the proposed rule’s potential effects on: (i) cooperative federalism; (ii) the scope of certification review; (iii) certification application requirements and limitations on state input; (iv) new requirements for certification decision contents; (v) narrowing the definition of “other appropriate state laws”; (vi) changes to certification modification procedures; (vii) effects of changing “projet proponent” to “applicant”; (viii) applicability of water quality certification to general permits; (ix) preservation of state authority to extend the reasonable period of time for review; and (x) potential limitation of certification conditions to numeric water quality criteria, as well as a request for a delayed effective date for the final rule. ACWA also reaffirmed its commitment to working collaboratively with EPA and federal partners to strengthen water quality protections, provide regulatory certainty, and support efficient infrastructure development that safeguards the nation’s waters.
White Paper Released Regarding State CAFO/AFO Program
This month Stanford Law School released a paper that reviews and analyzes confined animal facility program implementation under California state law. The paper specifically analyzes reports containing data from regions with the largest numbers of CAFOs/AFOs in state. Results from their analysis conclude:
- CAFOs/AFOs frequently underreport wastewater production, or fail to report at all.
- CAFOs/AFOs frequently underreport manure production.
- CAFOs/AFOs do not disclose, or inadequately document, where waste goes.
- Most CAFOs/AFOs fail to report how much waste they apply to their crops. Those that do typically report significant overapplication.
- CAFOs/AFOs CAFs frequently fail to account for all nutrients in the waste they produce.
- Regional Boards do not adequately enforce reporting requirements.
A copy of the white paper can be found here:
CAF-Reporting-and-Permitting-Under-the-PCA
NASEM Prepublication Framework to Address PFAS On Farms
This month a National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) panel shared a prepublication copy of a paper that discusses a framework to guide efforts by the USDA to address PFAS on farms, while acknowledging the need for more data. Specifically the paper notes “[t]he lack of data regarding the magnitude of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination on agricultural land, combined with uncertainties about what different potential PFAS sources may contribute to farm contamination, poses a challenge to advising farmers on how to manage PFAS risks.”
The paper also notes one of the most pressing challenges is “…the lack of consistent regulatory criteria for PFAS in agricultural soils, including considerations for occurrence of PFAS mixtures. Due to the variation in regulations at the state level, federal guidance on thresholds in agricultural lands would be beneficial to assist conservation planners and others in contextualizing PFAS occurrence at agricultural facilities.”
The paper also noted four areas where applied research could advance the ability of conservation practices could address PFAS contamination on Agriculture land:
- Discerning PFAS Fate and Transport in Varying Soil Types
- Opportunities to Trap or Sequester PFAS
- Understanding Plant Characteristics that Affect PFAS Uptake and Accumulation
- PFAS Mitigation in Livestock
An online copy of the prepublication paper can be found here:
PFAS in Agricultural Systems: Guidance for Conservation Programs at USDA
NPRM: CWA Hazardous Substance Facility Response Plans
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or Agency) is publishing an advance notice of proposed rulemaking to seek feedback on reconsidering Clean Water Act Hazardous Substance Facility Response Plans regulations that were published in the Federal Register on March 28, 2024. This advanced notice of proposed rulemaking seeks feedback on potential amendments to address implementation challenges and clarify requirements from the 2024 final rule. Any resulting proposed amendments will align with Administration priorities and would prioritize opportunities to address regulatory burden while maintaining planning requirements to protect human health and the environment when responding to Clean Water Act Hazardous Substance worst case discharges. Comments are due March 20, 2026.
Wetland Program Development Grants
EPA issued notices of funding availability for Wetland Program Development Grants (WPDGs). WPDs assist state, Tribal, territory (Insular Areas), local government agencies, and interstate or intertribal entities in developing or refining state, Tribal, territory or local programs that protect, manage, and restore wetlands. The goals of the EPA’s wetland program include increasing the quantity and quality of wetlands in the U.S. by conserving and restoring wetland acreage and improving wetland condition. In pursuing these goals, the EPA seeks to develop the capacity of all levels of government to develop and/or refine effective, comprehensive programs for wetland protection and management. Applications are due by April 6, 2026.
- Region 5 FY 2025 Wetland Program Development Grants.
- Region 06 FY 2025 Wetland Program Development Grants.
- Region 7 FY 2025 Wetland Program Development Grants.
- Region 2 FY 2025 Wetland Program Development Grants.
- Region 10 FY 2025 Wetland Program Development Grants.
Accidental Spill Prevention – CAA
This week EPA proposed an update to the 2024 Clean Air Act Risk Management Program rule that focused on accidental releases which EPA claims will strengthens chemical accident prevention, enhances compliance, and reduces unnecessary burdens on regulated facilities ensuring stronger safety outcomes through clearer and more workable rules. The RMP program seeks to prevent and mitigate chemical accidents that could harm human health and the environment by requiring facilities that use or store certain hazardous substances to implement a risk management program and submit a plan to EPA. EPA claims the proposed revisions maintain all core accident prevention protections while eliminating duplicative, contradictory, or unproven requirements that add cost and confusion without improving safety results.
New proposed Rule: Federal Register :: Accidental Release Prevention Requirements: Risk Management Programs Under the Clean Air Act; Common Sense Approach to Chemical Accident Prevention
Association Updates
ACWA 2026 Mid-Year Meeting – Last Chance to Reserve Your Hotel!
Dates: March 25-26, 2026
Location: Alexandria, VA
View the updated draft agenda here.
Registration is 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 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.
2026 National Industrial Permitting Workshop – Registration Now Available!
Dates: April 7-9, 2026
Location: Washington, DC
Agenda: 2026 National Industrial Permitting Workshop Agenda – 1/16/2026
Meeting Registration: Register to the meeting using this link.
Hotel Registration: The hotel for this meeting has room nights at government rate. Please book your hotel room using this link. The room block will close on March 16, 2026.
View more details here on our website.
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
SWC March Webinars on Protecting our Groundwater
Date and Time: Thursday, March 5th from 12:00 – 1:00 pm (eastern time)
REGISTER HERE
Chuck Job, the Regulatory Affairs Manager for the National Ground Water Association, will present “Wellhead Protection: A First Line of Defense – Why it still matters in 2026.” Wellhead protection in the United States advanced nationally with the 1986 Amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act. Section 1428 of the act outlined a comprehensive local approach for community water systems to protect their groundwaters. Technical approaches evolved and were refined. Much has changed since 1986. New contaminant sources, expanded land uses, weather extremes, groundwater depletion, focus on water supply and quality– and other factors have all contributed to a need for robust protection of groundwater supplies. The presentation will delve into these factors and outline factors for future consideration at state and local levels.
This webinar is the first of a series in anticipation of National Groundwater Awareness Week (March 8-12). The Source Water Collaborative (SWC) is presenting two webinars to elevate the visibility and importance of groundwater sources of drinking water, and share effective protective measures and local success stories.
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.
EPA Tools & Resources Webinar: Freshwater Explorer 2.0
Date and Time: March 28, 2026, 3-4 p.m. ET
REGISTER HERE
EPA’s Freshwater Explorer is an easy-to-use, interactive web-based mapping tool for exploring freshwater data from streams, lakes, and groundwater wells in all 50 U.S. states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. It can be used by citizens and non-governmental organizations to better understand national and local water quality issues and to provide water quality information to help federal, state, territory, Tribal, and local partners make decisions about freshwater resources. Users can add spatial layers to explore associations between water quality measurements and natural and human geographical factors and any of the 10,000+ other available data layers accessible from the GeoPlatform that may affect water quality in the United States.
This webinar will show users how to perform geographical searches and visualize background and measured data for water quality parameters.
Webinar Series schedule and recordings
EPA Research to Support States
Job Opportunities
Community and Program Assistance Manager (Grants, Loans, and Programs Manager 2)
Location: Portland, OR
Closing Date: March 1, 2026
For more information and to apply, visit Oregon Job Opportunities.
Biologist II – Lake Assessment Section
Location: Augusta, ME
Closing Date: March 2, 2026
For more information and to apply, visit Careers at State of Maine.
Environmental Consultant (Springs)
Location: Tallahassee, FL
Closing Date: March 3, 2026
For more information and to apply, click here.
Municipal Wastewater Unit Supervisor
Location: Brainerd, Detroit Lakes, or Duluth, MN
Closing Date: March 4, 2026
For more information and to apply, visit Minnesota Careers.
Water Quality Intern
Location: Lowell, MA
Closing Date: March 8, 2026
To apply, submit a cover letter, resume, and writing sample by email to jobs@neiwpcc.org by March 8, 2026. Please reference #26-Lowell-002 in the email subject line. Accepting applications until the position is filled. A full position description may be viewed at: https://neiwpcc.org/about-us/careers.
Youth and the Environment Program Coordinator – Wastewater Division Intern
Location: Lowell, MA
Closing Date: March 8, 2026
To apply, submit a cover letter and resume by email to jobs@neiwpcc.org by March 8, 2026. Please reference #26-Lowell-003 in the email subject line. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, accepting applications until the positions are filled. A full position description may be viewed at: https://neiwpcc.org/about-us/careers.
Environmental Analyst – Permit Writer
Location: Albany, NY
Closing Date: March 15, 2026
To apply, submit your cover letter, resume, and a brief writing sample by email to jobs@neiwpcc.org. Please reference #26-NYS-SW-DEC-002 in the email subject line. Application review begins on March 15, 2026. 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 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.
