News
CWA Hazardous Substance FRP Deadline Extension Proposal
On March 3, 2026, EPA shared a prepublication version of a proposed rule extending the compliance deadline required under the CWA for Facility Response Plans (FRPs) for worst‑case discharges of hazardous substances. The requirements apply to onshore, non‑transportation facilities that could reasonably be expected to cause substantial environmental harm if a hazardous substance is released to navigable waters, adjoining shorelines, or the exclusive economic zone. EPA is proposing to shift the compliance deadline from June 1, 2027, to June 1, 2030. This extension would also allow the Agency to refine implementation and compliance‑assistance tools to support regulated entities. The proposal further includes updates to regulatory language to align with the Administration’s climate change and environmental justice priorities. Comments are due by April 6. 2026.
Federal Register :: CWA Hazardous Substance FRPs: Compliance Delay and Changes To Reflect Administration Policy
EPA Initiative to Strengthen Water Systems
This week EPA launched the Real Water Technical Assistance (RealWaterTA) initiative intended to align all technical assistance for drinking water and wastewater systems “with tried-and-true services, such as engineering and design expertise, operational support, workforce development, and financial management.” RealWaterTA will focus on eight priorities when helping water systems including:
- Support returning to and maintaining compliance;
- Focus on traditional and innovative water infrastructure;
- Define the scope of technical assistance;
- Strengthen technical, managerial, and financial management;
- Empower the water workforce;
- Improve financial readiness and access to financial assistance;
- Reduce inefficient costs; and
- Drive real-world results.
More details can be found here:
Real Water Technical Assistance (RealWaterTA) | US EPA
Association Updates
ACWA 2026 Mid-Year Meeting – View the Latest Draft Agenda!
Dates: March 25-26, 2026
Location: Alexandria, VA
View the updated draft agenda here.
There is still time to register! Register to the meeting here.
To reserve your hotel room, reach out to Annette Ivey.
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 – Updated 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
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.
Building Drought and Wildfire Resilience for Water Sector Utilities: Technical Assistance and Resources from EPA SWIFT
Date and Time: Wednesday, March 25, 2026, 1:00 – 2:00pm ET
REGISTER HERE
SWIFT’s experts can provide hands-on technical assistance to help your utility build resilience to drought and wildfire hazards through risk-informed project planning and investment. Learn about the SWIFT technical assistance process, explore online tools for understanding and assessing system risk to these hazards, and review resources for identifying resilient infrastructure projects.
EPA’s Strengthening Water Infrastructure for Tomorrow (SWIFT) initiative will be hosting a series of 1-hour virtual webinars in March, April, and May for a national utility audience (see below). They are listed on the Office’s Events Page.
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
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 (Quality Assurance)
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Closing Date: March 20, 2026
To apply, send a cover letter and resume by March 20th, 2026 to jobs@iec-nynjct.org . Please reference position number 26-001 in the e-mail subject line.
Environmental Program Specialist (Office Administrator)
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Closing Date: March 20, 2026
To apply, send a cover letter and resume by March 20th, 2026 to jobs@iec-nynjct.org. Please reference position number 26-003 in the e-mail subject line.
IEC Seasonal Intern, 2026
Location: Brooklyn, NY, and field locations throughout Metropolitan New York area
Closing Date: March 20, 2026
To apply, send a cover letter and resume to jobs@iec-nynjct.org by March 20th, 2026. Please reference position number 26-002 in the e-mail subject line.
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.
