The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) announced a proposed rule that significantly improves the actions that water systems must take to reduce lead in the nation’s drinking water. The announcement represents the first major overhaul of the Lead and Copper Rule since 1991 and marks a critical step in advancing the Federal Action Plan to Reduce Read More
USEPA & ND DEQ Agree on State’s Self-Audit Law
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) recently entered into a Memorandum of Agreement to establish procedures and policies for administration of the North Dakota Environmental Audits Law. Under this Agreement, the USEPA recognizes that North Dakota’s self-audit law and policy encourages greater compliance with laws Read More
AWWA Updates Cybersecurity Guidance & Tools
The American Water Works Association (AWWA) has updated its Water Sector Cybersecurity Risk Management Guidance and assessment tool. The new resources are revisions to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework version 1.1 and requirements in Section 2013 of America’s Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA) of 2018. The revised assessment tool provides a Read More
USEPA Releases Draft National Water Reuse Action Plan
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) released a draft National Water Reuse Action Plan that identifies priority actions and the leadership and collaboration that is needed between governmental and non-governmental organizations to implement these actions. Water reuse represents a major opportunity to support our nation’s communities and economy by bolstering safe and reliable water supplies Read More
WOTUS Rule to be Repealed
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and Department of the Army announced in September that the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule under the Clean Water Act would be repealed. “Today, Administrator Wheeler and I signed a final rule that repeals the 2015 Rule and restores the previous regulatory regime exactly how it existed Read More
AWIA Tools & Templates to Meet New Requirements
Community water systems are facing new requirements for water supply security, resiliency, and emergency response under the America’s Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) released several tools in August to help utilities comply with AWIA requirements. The Vulnerability Self-Assessment Tool (VSAT) helps water providers prepare an AWIA Risk and Resilience Assessment. Read More