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Clean Water Advocacy - Newsroom - AMSA in the News

Water, Wastewater Plants Prepare For New Regulations
(Industry Outlook)

Industry professionals will continue to face the same issues in 2005 as they did for the past few years, according to groups. Infrastructure needs and security protections will continue to top the list of issues facing the water industry, said Jack Hoffbuhr, executive director of American Water Works Association (AWWA). The drinking water industry also expects EPA to issue three major regulations in 2005--the ground water disinfection rule, the byproducts disinfection rule and the surface water treatment rule.

"These regulations are complex. We are working on guidance to help utilities implement these rules, but the process is a challenge because they are so complex," Hoffbuhr told CWR.

AWWA also wants to help utilities manage distribution systems in an environment vulnerable to outside threats. Utilities also will work on protecting source water and determining where they will get their water in the future. Long-term planning will remain key to survival.

In Congress, AWWA will push for fewer cuts in funding and a recognition that major infrastructure and security issues should be important enough for money.

"We're not looking for handouts but loan funds or low-interest loans to assist us in protecting our water," he said.

AWWA also will fight against an exemption to liability for manufacturers of methyl tertiary butyl ether that polluted drinking water supplies. Organizations were successful in blocking an exemption in 2004 but a new Congress will begin and anything can happen.

Industry Not Focusing on Biosolids

Wastewater groups also will push for infrastructure funding in Congress. Association of Metropolitan Sewerage Agencies (AMSA) will continue to push for a Clean Water Trust Fund. The organization has a working draft document that is circulating among members, said Ken Kirk, executive director of AMSA.

"We are getting comments from members. We are talking to people on the Hill. We are trying to find sources of revenue for it. We don't expect it to pass but hope we can get a good hearing on it," Kirk told CWR.

The current draft would fund the trust through a fee on bottles. Kirk could not elaborate on how the program would work.

AMSA also expects a rule to deal with sanitary sewer overflows because wastewater treatment plants can not comply with a zero standard. Utilities are willing to accept a rule that requires best management practices or creates investment to comply, he said.

The organization is involved in several lawsuits and trying to prepare for security issues, including chlorine gas storage and decontamination measures if something should happen.

However, land-application of biosolids will remain a local issue. Municipal plants know better how to handle a local protest better than AMSA, Kirk added.

The National Ground Water Association could not be reached as of press time for its outlook.

Contacts: Ken Kirk, AMSA, (202) 833-2672; Greg Kail, AWWA, (303) 734-3410, gkail@awwa.org.