Recent PFAS Actions in the Nation

For a roundup of recent PFAS actions in the Nation, including: EPA nominee promises “aggressive approach” on PFAS regulation EPA removes toxicity assessment on PFBS citing political interference EPA reissues final regulatory determinations under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) for perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in drinking water on the Contaminant Candidate … Read more

Florida Water System CyberAttack Raises Security Questions

In response to a February cyberattack on a water treatment facility in Oldsmar, Florida, EPA and DEP have offered resources and recommended a state of increased cybersecurity awareness. The cyber attack was prevented from causing serious harm by the quick actions of a water operator (see story: WTP Hack) and this Federal multiagency report: FBI_CISA_EPA_Joint_CSA-AA21-042A_Compromise_of_US_Water_Treatment_Facility. … Read more

US House Passes $1.9 Trillion Relief Package

from NRWA.org “On Saturday AM (Feb. 27), the House narrowly passed the White House-backed coronavirus relief bill (219-212 vote). Local governments of every size would receive dedicated allotments. Funds would be available until expended, awarded directly from Treasury within 60 days of enactment, and subject to eligible uses including to replace revenue lost, delayed, or … Read more

Senate Water Privatization Bill Splits Environmental Community

7/20/2020 ruralwater.org “Senate Water Privatization Bill Splits Environmental Community: The private water organization is using NRDC to advance the bill (S. 2596) they favor in the Senate, while Food & Water Watch has organized a coalition of over 300 advocacy groups and unions to oppose the bill. NRDC and the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) … Read more

US House Passes EPA Spending Bill

7/27/2020 ASDWA.org “House Passes EPA Spending Bill: The bill passed last week includes current funding levels for SRF and an increase in the rural water SDWA & CWA technical assistance programs. Also, the bill includes a special provision of $13 billion for EPA “emergency infrastructure investments” including more than $10 billion for the SRFs. This … Read more

EPA Will Not Regulation Perchlorate

from NRWA.org 7/27/2020 ” In a New Precedent, EPA Publishes Final Decisions Not to Regulate Perchlorate Under SDWA: The EPA has determined that perchlorate does not occur “with a frequency and at levels of public health concern” within the meaning of the SDWA and in the judgment of the EPA Administrator, regulation of perchlorate does … Read more

US House: “There’s Something in the Water: Reforming Our Nation’s Drinking Water Standards.”

from ASDWA.org 7/27/2020 “SDWA Reform in House: On Tuesday, the House SDWA subcommittee will hold an oversight hearing on revisions to the Safe Drinking Water Act’s (SDWA) standard-setting process. The title of the hearing is “There’s Something in the Water: Reforming Our Nation’s Drinking Water Standards.” It is likely this hearing is being scheduled in … Read more

Notice of Funding Availability for Applications for Credit Assistance Under the State Infrastructure Finance Authority Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (SWIFIA) Program

A Rule by the Environmental Protection Agency on 07/17/2020 See link for further information. ” . . . on December 20, 2019, Congress provided $5 million in budget authority solely for the cost of direct loans or guaranteed loans to State infrastructure financing authority borrowers for projects described in section 5026(9) of the Water Infrastructure … Read more