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December 10, 2004 AMSA Fax Alert

Member Pipeline - Fax Alerts - December 10, 2004

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December 10, 2004

Agenda for Winter Conference Now Online!
AMSA is pleased to announce that the agenda for the 2005 Winter Conference, February 1-4 at the Westin La Cantera in San Antonio, Texas, is now available online (http://www.amsa-cleanwater.org/meetings/05winter/). This year’s conference, Sustainable Systems, will highlight critical information and key approaches to sustain clean water infrastructure; the utility workforce; security and emergency preparedness; and, the environment. The conference will also feature renowned motivational speaker, Keith Harrell, who will focus his remarks on the need to develop and maintain a positive organizational culture to support the key role utilities play in protecting and sustaining America’s water resources.

Immediately preceding the Winter Conference (also at the Westin La Cantera), interested AMSA members and representatives from the Water Environment Research Foundation's (WERF) Research Council will meet in a day-long session, Monday, January 31 from 8:00am to 5:00pm to define and prioritize the research needs of the wastewater treatment community. The joint session will provide an excellent opportunity to ensure that WERF's research agenda results in information and data of relevance and value to AMSA's membership. Attendance at the AMSA/WERF Research Priorities Workshop is free, but pre-registration is required. Please contact AMSA’s Director of Regulatory Affairs, Chris Hornback (202/833-9106 or chornback@amsa-cleanwater.org) or check the appropriate box on your AMSA 2005 Winter Conference registration form.

Members should note that the cut-off date to receive AMSA’s special rate at the Westin La Cantera is January 7, 2005. For registration, agenda and hotel information on the Winter Conference, as well as information on the AMSA/WERF Research Priorities Workshop, refer to Member Update 04-19 (http://www.amsa-cleanwater.org/private/membcomm/memupdate/mu04-19.cfm) or visit AMSA’s Conferences & Meetings webpage (http://www.amsa-cleanwater.org/meetings/).

EPA Moves Closer to
Final Blending Policy, AMSA Voices Support in Media

Blending continues to garner congressional and national media attention as EPA moves closer to finalizing its December 2003 proposed blending guidance. Several media outlets, including the Washington Post and Boston Globe, reported this week on the Agency’s progress toward a final policy. Significantly, Benjamin Grumbles, Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Water, noted in these articles that the final blending guidance will be released early next year. AMSA Executive Director, Ken Kirk, was also quoted supporting EPA’s efforts to finalize the blending guidance and noting that public wastewater treatment utilities will have to “spend $200 billion to fix a problem that doesn’t need fixing.” A spokesperson for AMSA member, the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority was also quoted, saying the practice “reduce[s] our capital costs while maintaining the same effluent quality.” Several key AMSA committee leaders and AMSA staff will be meeting with Grumbles next week to discuss a number of priority issues, including these recent developments regarding the blending policy. The Association will provide members with an update from that meeting in next week’s FaxAlert. A complete listing of recent media articles addressing blending can be found on AMSA’s Clean Water Advocacy webpage (http://www.amsa-cleanwater.org/advocacy/news.cfm).

In a related matter, Representative Bart Stupak (D-MI), recently introduced legislation, the Save Our Waters From Sewage Act (HR 5421), aimed to block the blending guidance. AMSA responded in opposition to the legislation via a letter (http://www.amsa-cleanwater.org/advocacy/co/2004-12-0Stupakltr.pdf) and fact sheet to Rep. Stupak highlighting that blending has been a long-standing practice that “protects POTW biological units from washout, and homes and businesses from sewer backups, both of which have adverse environmental and public health consequences.” It is unlikely any further action will be taken on the legislation this year. Stupak, however, has indicated that he will reintroduce the legislation next year and seek to attach it to another bill to expedite its passage through Congress. Given the Administration’s support for a blending policy, Stupak’s effort will likely be unsuccessful. AMSA will continue to advocate on behalf of a final blending guidance and will update members on new developments.


  • The deadline to submit your agency’s nominations for the 2005 National Environmental Achievement Awards is Friday, December 17. The NEAA program offers the perfect opportunity to recognize local, state and federal elected/appointed officials for their contributions to the clean water community and to honor agencies for their notable projects and accomplishments. Eligibility criteria and application information can be found in Member Update 04-18 (http://www.amsa-cleanwater.org/private/membcomm/memupdate/mu04-18.cfm).