Utilities Should Request COVID-19 Vaccines for Staff

The Water Sector Coordinating Council (WSCC) and the American Water Works Association (AWWA) are urging U.S. water and wastewater utilities to contact their State and local public health agencies to ensure their staff are properly prioritized in their community’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution. As stated in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) COVID-19 Read More

AWIA Deadline Approaches for Medium Size Water Systems

There is an America’s Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA) certification deadline quickly approaching for medium size community water systems. The systems that serve 50,000-100,000 people are required to submit an AWIA Risk and Resilience Assessment by December 31, 2020. Water systems within that population size (including consecutive system populations) need to be certified by the end Read More

Cold Weather + Holiday FOG = Sewer Clogs

The holidays may look a little different this year, with fewer people gathering in large groups due to COVID-19 concerns. But that doesn’t mean traditional foods like turkey, ham, prime rib, and gravy are off the menu. This time of year can mean big trouble for wastewater utilities when residents pour fat, oil, and grease Read More

President Signs Executive Order to Create Federal Water Subcabinet

President Donald Trump has signed the “Modernizing America’s Water Resource Management and Water Infrastructure” Executive Order. The Executive Order is meant to ensure that Federal coordination on water policy is standard practice by formally establishing a Water Subcabinet of senior Federal agency officials. The Water Subcabinet is designed to facilitate efficient and effective management and Read More

Help Available to Meet New MS4 Permit Requirements

Winter is approaching and icy roads are likely in parts of the country. In many areas, that means laying sand or salt on roadways. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) General Permit will be reissued on November 16, 2020. Minnesota communities need to be aware of some new requirements Read More

Firefighting Chemicals PFAS Survey Results

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently published the results of a statewide survey of fire departments to determine the extent of use of firefighting foams containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) substances. The survey was designed to help the DNR better understand how much, how often, and why foam containing PFAS is used across Read More