The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) recently updated the results of the Fourth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 4), a rule that requires public water systems to monitor drinking water for 30 contaminants. The UCMR 4 applies to public water systems that serve more than 10,000 people, as well as 1,600 public water systems Read More
SMART Infrastructure Act Introduced
A bipartisan group of U.S. Representatives introduced H.R. 4687, the Sustainable Municipal Access to Resilient Technology in Infrastructure (SMART Infrastructure) Act. Proponents say the bill supports innovation and open competition in procurement, allowing the United States to rebuild America’s infrastructure more efficiently. The bill’s supporters say several cities currently have regulations in place that significantly Read More
New Resources Available for Chloride Pollution Reduction
Cities across Minnesota are working to reduce chloride pollution in lakes and streams, by reducing road salt usage or reducing the amount of salty discharges to their wastewater treatment plants. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) recently announced two new resources to help with these efforts: Suite of model ordinances to regulate deicers Guide for Read More
Proposed Updates to Lead and Copper Rule
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