February 21, 2020 Anthony DeRosa ASDWA Conferences, Drinking Water Headlines, Events
ASDWA’s 2020 Member Meeting is March 23 – 25 at the Hilton Old Town in Alexandria, Virginia. Our room block at the hotel closes on March 4th, so there’s still time to secure your space. Visit ASDWA’s website at https://www.asdwa.org/event/asdwa-member-meeting-2020/ to find an updated block agenda for travel, register for the meeting, and reserve a hotel room online.
Please note, the Member Meeting is for states and EPA only, plus invited guests. ASDWA’s Board Meeting will convene immediately following the Member Meeting at noon on March 25, and will conclude at noon on March 26.
February 21, 2020 Wendi Wilkes Drinking Water Headlines PFAS
On February 20, 2020, EPA publicly announced their preliminary regulatory determination for 
perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in drinking water. EPA is proposing to regulate PFOS and PFOA and is asking for information and data on other PFAS substances, as well as seeking comment on potential monitoring requirements and regulatory approaches for other PFAS chemicals. The preliminary determinations mark a key milestone in EPA’s efforts under the PFAS Action Plan to help communities address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) nationwide.
As apart of the regulatory determination, EPA is proposing to not regulate six contaminants on the 4th Contaminant Candidate List: 1,1-dichloroethane, acetochlor, methyl bromide, metolachlor, nitrobenzene, and RDX.
EPA will accept public comment on the preliminary determinations for 60 days after the notice is published in the Federal Register.
February 20, 2020 Alan Roberson Drinking Water Headlines WIIN
Yesterday (2/19), EPA announced the availability of over $17 million for projects that implement or improve corrosion control or conduct lead service line replacements in disadvantaged communities and $22.8 million for projects that remove sources of lead in drinking water (e.g., fixtures, fountains, outlets and plumbing materials) in schools or child care facilities. The agency is prioritizing projects for drinking water systems that service disadvantaged communities, including those that are part of qualified Opportunity Zones, and have exceeded the lead action level during the last three years. Qualified Opportunity Zones include designated low-income or distressed communities where new investments, under certain conditions, may be eligible for preferential tax treatment. The impact that these grants will have on neighborhoods and citizens across the country will supplement the ongoing investment in Opportunity Zones.
This WIIN grant will be competed through a Request for Application process. The funding opportunity is available now and will remain open for 60 days on www.grants.gov. In addition to this announcement of funding availability, EPA is working with states, tribes, and territories to award $87 million in funding through EPA’s two other newly created drinking water grant programs established by WIIN—the Voluntary Lead Testing in Schools and Child Care grant program and the Assistance for Small and Disadvantaged Communities grant program.
Learn more about this grant and EPA’s WIIN grant programs at: https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/drinking-water-grants
February 20, 2020 Alan Roberson Drinking Water Headlines
The Water Environment Federation (WEF) and the Water Research Foundation (WRF) are holding a webinar on updates on novel coronavirus for water professionals on Tuesday, February 25th from 2:30-4:00 EST. This webcast, organized by WEF’s Disinfection and Public Health Committee (DPHC), is a collaboration between WEF and WRF, and will provide the most up-to-date information available on novel coronavirus from some of the most reputable names in infectious disease control and emergency response. This webcast will highlight virus ecology, transmission, control, epidemiology, government agency response, and specific impacts for the water community. The list of speakers for this webinar is impressive, and the speakers will provide the audience with additional resources and published recommendations, as the water sector continues to learn more about and respond to this ongoing outbreak. Register for this webcast here.
February 19, 2020 Alan Roberson Drinking Water Headlines
As part of EPA’s 50th anniversary, the Agency is celebrating progress in protecting America’s waters. This week highlights progress made by the Agency—in partnership with states, local communities and drinking water systems—in ensuring access to safe drinking water across our country.
EPA partners with many organizations (including ASDWA) to make the drinking water program work, and is thanking all of those organizations for their continued coordination and collaboration with EPA over the years. EPA plans to share additional drinking water news throughout the week of February 17-21.
To read more, visit: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-50-progress-providing-safe-drinking-water
