New draft guidance from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) aims to help wastewater utilities, landowners, and the public reduce risk from perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) in biosolids. PFOA and PFOS are two types of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and considered to be the most prolific PFAS compounds in the Read More
NEPA Reforms Aim to Get America Building Again
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) proposes to reform the way it carries out the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). If finalized, USEPA says the changes would make environmental reviews faster, clearer, and more predictable. The proposal would restore NEPA to its original purpose of setting firm timelines, keeping documents focused and concise, and expanding Read More
USEPA Unveils Comprehensive PFAS Strategy
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) announced a comprehensive strategy to address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). At a May news conference, USEPA leaders outlined two proposed rules to regulate PFAS in drinking water and announced $1 billion of funding to help water systems achieve compliance. As indicated in the summary table, the first proposed Read More
New Interactive Map Takes Guesswork Out of Identifying Permitting Authorities
A new interactive map aims to make life a little easier by identifying which regulatory agencies have the authority to issue permits covering all U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) permitting programs and environmental statutes. The USEPA Permitting Authority Map provides Federal agencies, States, territories, Tribal nations, local agencies/governments, and the general public with: Although the USEPA directly Read More
Revamped Website Helps Public Understand Lead Risks
A revamped website provides easy to understand information to the public about the health risks of lead. Water system leaders may want to review the information found on epa.gov/lead and consider linking to their water utility website to educate their customers. The lead in drinking water page may be particularly helpful as the lead service Read More
Cybersecurity Advisory Regarding Iranian-Affiliated Cyber Attacks
Four Federal entities issued a joint advisory to American organizations, including those in the water sector, about an urgent and ongoing Iranian-affiliated cybersecurity threat. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), and National Security Agency (NSA) warn that American organizations from multiple critical infrastructure sectors have Read More