NRWA and Nine Associations Representing Water Utilities and Local Governments Caution EPA on Potential New Revisions to Risk Management Plan (RMP) Rule In response to state and local lawmakers urging the EPA to increase federal requirements under the RMP rule, the ten associations signed a joint letter to EPA last week cautioning the agency to reconsider proposing a new rule similar to the withdrawn Obama Administration proposed rule that increased compliance burdens for the water sector and usurped locally sponsored RMPs (joint statement).

NRWA Backs New Federal Legislation to Stop “Flushable” Wipes from Fouling Wastewater Collection Systems The “Protecting Infrastructure and Promoting Environmental Stewardship (PIPES) Act” would require EPA to establish standards for the flushability of disposable wipes and would impose civil penalties on companies that are knowingly noncompliant with these standards (Representative McClain - MI). Representative McClain’s press statement includes a statement from NRWA. “Flushed wipes are wreaking havoc on our nation’s wastewater facilities. Once flushed, rather than dissolving, nonwoven wipes end up as clogs that can weigh hundreds of pounds, blocking sewer pumps and pipes, jeopardizing worker safety, and costing utilities millions of dollars annually. NRWA fully supports Congresswoman McClain’s legislation which would dramatically reduce the negative consequences of improper labeling and disposal,” said CEO of National Rural Water Association Matt Holmes.

NRWA Files WOTUS Comments In its February 4th comments, NRWA urges the EPA to propose a rule that is consistent with the Constitution and Clean Water Act (CWA) as it replaces the Trump Administration WOTUS rule. “The rule should respect the States’ primary responsibility for the lands and waters within their borders, and give local communities clear guidance as to when the CWA’s requirements apply (more.”

Listening Sessions Scheduled for EPA’s Draft Strategy to Reduce Lead Exposures and Disparities in U.S. Communities In October 2021 EPA released a draft “Strategy to Reduce Lead Exposures and Disparities in U.S. Communities.” In November 2021 that document was updated by EPA to include information from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Public comment on the draft strategy ends March 16, 2022. more

White House Releases Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Guidebook Earlier today (1/31), the White House released a Bipartisan Infrastructure Law guidebook that provides comprehensive information on all of the funding, so that communities know what to apply for, who to contact, and how to get ready to rebuild. This guidebook is a roadmap to the funding available under the law, as well as an explanatory document that shows direct federal spending at the program level. more

Florida Fights Back Against Federal Overreach, Stands Up for State Water Rights After Governor Ron DeSantis coined the term “Free State of Florida” in describing the state’s refusal to adhere to federally mandated mask and vaccine restrictions during his ‘State of the State’ address. more

SFWMD wasn't consulted on controversial water supply bill Florida Senate committee passed | TCPalm State water managers who oversee resources for 9 million Floridians were not consulted on a controversial water supply bill a Senate committee approved Wednesday. more

Be ready Brevard: Some of you will see an increase in your water and sewer bills | Florida Today After months of planning and studies, Brevard County Commissioners voted Tuesday night to approve increases in water and sewer rates for residents served by the county. more

Bill changing Everglades restoration plan moves forward in Florida Senate | Tampa Bay Times A bill changing state policy toward Everglades restoration, and pitting the Senate president’s priorities against the governor’s, advanced through its single committee stop Wednesday morning despite hours of passionate protest from clean water advocates. more

Milton wastewater plant draws more public criticism; item moved for vote | Santa Rosa Press Gazette Milton residents disapproved of the location of the treatment plant site, a decision that the commissioners have no authority to make. more

Fecal Matter: Miami Beach's Old Sewage Pipes Keep Breaking, Threaten Biscayne Bay | Miami New Times During the first week of February, two wastewater pipes ruptured in Miami Beach, spilling sewage into waterways that feed into Biscayne Bay. Certain parts of the city remain under a "No Contact With Water" advisory, which recommends "not swimming or engaging in recreational water activity." more

EPA presses Fla. to stop using Trump's WOTUS definition EPA and Florida are nose to nose over the state’s use of Trump-era Clean Water Act regulations for permitting. more

SJRWMD: Ongoing maintenance ensures flood protection structures are ready when needed Flood protection — it’s one of the four core missions of the St. Johns River Water Management District, and to those of us in the Bureau of Operations and Maintenance (O&M), not only is it about managing water level and flows, but it is also the day-to-day maintenance of nearly 115 miles of federal levees, 12 major water control structures and 76 minor water control structures. more

Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department adds new online customer service feature to website Just like customers receive safe drinking water and reliable wastewater removal services around the clock, the Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department (WASD) strives to provide their customers the opportunity to perform many account features 24-hours-a-day with the click of a mouse. more

'Water, rest, shade': The fight to protect Florida's outdoor workers from extreme heat - WUSF News A bill introduced by Republican Sen. Ana Maria Rodríguez requires employers to put in place heat-exposure safety programs that offer preventive measures for workers against heat. more

Florida Senate Budget Proposal Tops $108 Billion | CBS Miami Florida’s spending plan would hit a record $108.6 billion under a proposal rolled out Friday by the Senate. more

Riviera Beach Utility Special District to begin water flushing program Monday | WPTV Some customers may notice cloudy water immediately following the flushing. more

One year after the Oldsmar water breach, some experts question the utility's cybersecurity | WUSF Experts say some small cities, both Florida and nationally — as well as their utilities — lack proper cybersecurity. more

Cybersecurity focus could improve the safety of our water systems | WTSP A cybersecurity expert says a plan from the White House could help improve the safety of our water system operations, one year after a cyberattack in Oldsmar. more

Tampa will look into sending treated wastewater into the Hillsborough River | WUSF Tampa City Council members decided Thursday to go ahead with a plan to design a system that could pipe wastewater that is now dumped into Tampa Bay into the Hillsborough River instead. more

Tampa Bay has huge flood risk. What should we do about it? | Tampa Bay Times Thousands of years ago, researchers say, the people who lived in what we now call Florida had to accommodate rising seas. more

Opinion: These are challenging times for Florida’s environment, but there is hope | Tallahassee Democrat These are particularly challenging times for Florida’s precious environment. more