Last January, President Trump signed bipartisan legislation to benefit cities, towns, and villages with municipal storm sewer systems (MS4s) and publicly owned treatment works (POTWs). The Water Infrastructure Improvement Act codifies the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) integrated planning framework in the Clean Water Act (CWA). The legislation is short – just 6 pages –
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) moved one step closer last week to regulating two PFAS substances under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Last week, the agency announced a proposed regulatory determination for PFOA and PFOS in drinking water – the two most well-known and studied PFAS chemicals. The proposed regulatory determination marks a key milestone
The Flint water crisis was one of the more notable events of the last decade. Unsurprisingly, it led to litigation. So far, the Sixth Circuit has refused to dismiss the case against a number of the state and local government officials who were sued. This week, the Supreme Court refused to hear their case challenging
Last year, as Congressional action on PFAS drinking water contamination stalled, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) vowed to bring a standalone package to the House floor in January. Last week, he made good on that promise and the House passed the PFAS Action Act (H.R. 535), by a bipartisan vote of 247-159. The bill would
Throughout the year, there was a growing concern across all levels of government about drinking water contamination from PFAS – a group of man-made chemicals that were made and used in a variety of industries around the globe, which have made their way into drinking water systems across the country, particularly in communities near military installations
By Bill Eller, vice president, business development at HomeServe. Across the United States, cities, towns and villages are grappling with aging infrastructure and expensive repairs that their residents can’t afford. Reports indicate that most individuals can’t afford the cost to repair damage to their sewer or water lines to their homes – and most don’t even
Local officials can weigh in on national water policy that will affect their communities. In September, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the release of a draft National Water Reuse Action Plan (Draft Action Plan) that highlights key actions that support consideration and implementation of water reuse, which can be a valuable tool to
Last week, two bipartisan water infrastructure bills that advance NLC’s Rebuild With Us infrastructure campaign saw action in the House. Together, the bills address the nation’s aging water infrastructure and provide communities with additional flexibility in improving their water systems. On Oct. 28, the House passed the Full Utilization of the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund
60-day comment period is now open, comments due Jan. 13, 2020 Earlier this month, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released proposed revisions to the Lead and Copper Rule to reduce lead exposure in drinking water. Under the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations: Proposed Lead and Copper Rule Revisions, the agency aims to identify the
PFAS substances are a group of man-made chemicals that were made and used in a variety of industries around the globe—and these chemicals are making their way into drinking water systems across the country, particularly in communities near military installations or industrial sites. 14 local leaders from the National League of Cities (NLC) Energy, Environment,
