May 2023

Federal:

The National Water Policy Fly-In takes place April 25-26. Check out the joint policy ask document prepared by WEF, NACWA, AWWA, WateReuse, and others. Water industry professionals from all over the United States will be traveling to DC and meeting with congressional offices to discuss these important priorities.

Idaho:

Idaho DEQ is conducting a negotiated rulemaking on IDAPA 58.01.25 - Rules Regulating the Idaho Pollution Discharge Elimination System Program, as part of the zero-based regulation review, aimed at decreasing regulations in the state. More information, including a draft rule and meeting dates, can be found here.

Oregon:

OR House Agriculture, Land Use, and Water Committee Bill (introduced as a Committee bill on January 19th) to Fund a PFAS Biosolids Fate and Transport Study by an Oregon State University research team (which will involve OR ACWA, ACWA members, and DEQ). This bill was developed as a proactive approach the OR legislature can take to building PFAS science and data in Oregon on which to build future policy decisions, as opposed to a reactive or pre-emptive land application restriction approach that is being taken in some other states.

House Bill 3231 has been referred to the Joint Committee on Ways and Means. The intent of the bill is to improve water reuse implementation in Oregon and would fund and direct DEQ, in consultation with WRD, and other stakeholders, to address regulatory barriers and develop technical assistance resources to support new and expanded beneficial reuse/recycling and land application of reclaimed wastewater in Oregon. HB 3231 would provide approximately $500,000 in general funds for the biennium to accomplish this work.

PFAS:

In case you missed it! EPA has taken the following actions on PFAS in the last three months: o EPA is seeking input on whether to propose to designate additional PFAS, including HFPO-DA, sometimes called GenX, and compounds that degrade in the environment by processes such as biodegradation, photolysis, and hydrolysis, to form certain PFAS. EPA is also seeking information on whether some PFAS compounds can or should be designated as a group or category. A Federal Register Notice has been published in the Federal Register at docket EPA-HQ-OLEM-2022-0922 and can be viewed on www.regulations.gov. The ANPRM will be open for a 60-day comment period through June 12, 2023.

In March 2023, EPA took a key step to protect public health by proposing to establish legally enforceable levels for six PFAS known to occur in drinking water, fulfilling a foundational commitment in the Agency’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap. Through this proposed rule, EPA is leveraging the most recent science and building on existing state efforts to limit PFAS to provide a nationwide, health-protective level for these specific PFAS in drinking water. Learn more about the proposed rule

In February 2023, EPA announced the availability of $2 billion from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to address emerging contaminants, including PFAS, in drinking water across the country. This investment, which is allocated to states and territories, will be made available to communities as grants through EPA’s Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities grant program. These funds will promote access to safe and clean water in small, rural, and disadvantaged communities while supporting local economies. Learn more about this funding