Member Pipeline - Fax Alerts - March 10, 2006
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for the FaxAlert ArchiveMarch 10, 2006
NACWA Offers Support to EPA on Potential POTW Pollutant Study
NACWA sent a letter (http://www.nacwa.org/getfile.cfm?fn=2006-03-06msmith.pdf) to Mary Smith, director of the Engineering and Analysis Division in EPA’s Office of Water, offering its services in assisting the Agency with an upcoming sampling effort of publicly owned treatment works (POTWs). This effort will gauge the range of pollutants entering POTW headworks and the removal efficiencies of facilities. NACWA supports the Agency’s initiative which could be a prelude to a broader study of POTWs. The Association, however, does not feel that the Agency’s proposed sample size of 8 – 9 facilities is sufficient to compile an accurate data set. In its letter, the Association has offered to provide EPA access to robust facility data provided voluntarily by its membership, which meet EPA’s standards for quality assurance and quality control, and offers the best measure of the efficiency and effectiveness of the control technologies used by POTWs today. NACWA also stated in the letter that the sampling effort should be expanded to a full-fledged update of EPA’s now outdated 1982 Fate of Priority Pollutants in Publicly Owned Treatment Works study (50 POTW Study), saying “[A] new study with new information is necessary to understand how best to ensure the effectiveness of pretreatment programs and POTWs in protecting the water quality of the nation’s rivers, lakes, and streams.” NACWA will be working with EPA in the coming months to ensure the performance of POTWs is accurately reflected and assist the Agency with this initiative.EPA to Consider
NACWA’s Affordability Guidance Recommendations
The Environmental Financial Advisory Board (EFAB) held several meetings this week to provide input to EPA on the direction it should take on a host of environmental issues, including guidance on the affordability of Clean Water Act (CWA) rules. EFAB recommended the Agency use a two-part tariff to raise subsidies for customers within the framework of full-cost pricing. Benjamin Grumbles, EPA’s assistant administrator for water, agreed that full-cost pricing is a critical element to address the infrastructure funding gap but also said the Agency is taking a close look at recommendations provided in NACWA’s 2005 white paper, Financial Capability and Affordability in Wet Weather Negotiations (http://www.nacwa.org/getfile.cfm?fn=2005-10NACWAWhitePprFinCapAff.pdf). The white paper provides an in-depth review of existing EPA guidance on affordability-related issues and recommends modifications to existing policy and practice on wet weather compliance and its financial impacts. Through detailed case studies, the white paper also provides information for, and guidance on, affordability negotiations and details viable approaches for reducing the financial impacts of wet weather projects on low-income households. NACWA will continue to work with EPA on this issue ensuring the Agency includes sound affordability practices in its guidance.Join NACWA at the 2006 National Clean Water Policy Forum
Make your plans now to attend the 2006 National Clean Water Policy Forum, being held jointly by NACWA and the Water Environment Federation (WEF), April 30 – May 3, in Washington, DC. The April 7th deadline to reserve your hotel room at the special rate of $219 single/double is rapidly approaching, so contact the Capital Hilton at 202/393-1000 soon. Speakers for the Forum continue to be confirmed on an ongoing basis and an updated agenda is available on NACWA’s Conferences & Meeting webpage (http://www.nacwa.org/meetings/06may/).Application Deadline Fast
Approaching for NACWA’s 2005 Peak Performance Awards
NACWA urges member agencies to apply for its 2005 Peak Performance Awards Program which recognizes facilities for excellence in wastewater treatment. Applications are due by March 17, 2006. For more information, refer to Member Update 06-02 (http://www.nacwa.org/private/membcomm/memupdate/mu06-02.cfm).NACWA Co-Sponsors National Monitoring Conference
NACWA will co-sponsor the National Water Quality Monitoring Council’s Fifth National Monitoring Conference at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center, May 7-11, in San Jose, Calif. This year’s theme of Monitoring Networks: Connecting for Clean Water will focus on the human, technological, and programmatic networks that will help improve national water quality monitoring efforts. For agenda and registration information, visit the Council’s website (http://www.nwqmc.org).