The Minnesota Department of Health’s (MDH) Health Risk Assessment Unit is updating its processes for selecting contaminants to develop health-based guidance values in the Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CEC) Initiative. The process change is designed to increase stakeholder engagement and overall transparency in the nomination and selection process. The work of this initiative helps MDH Read More
Public Hearing Scheduled on Proposed Amendment of MT Water Quality Standards
The Montana Board of Environmental Review and Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will hold a public hearing in February to consider proposed amendments to the state’s water quality standards. The hearing is scheduled on February 5, 2019, at 2:00 p.m. in Room 111 at the Metcalf building at 1520 East Sixth Street in Helena. Amendments Read More
Proposed WOTUS Definition Clarifies Federal Authority
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the Department of the Army (Army) have proposed an updated definition of the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) Rule that clarifies federal authority under the Clean Water Act. “Our proposal would replace the Obama EPA’s 2015 definition with one that respects the limits of the Clean Water Read More
Federal Lead Exposure Action Plan Released
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) have released the Federal Lead Action Plan to Reduce Childhood Lead Exposures and Associated Health Impacts (Lead Action Plan). “The Federal Lead Action Plan will enhance the Trump Administration’s efforts to identify and reduce lead contamination while Read More
Farm Bill Includes Water Source Protection Measures
President Donald Trump signed the Farm Bill on December 20, after the U.S. Senate and House passed the legislation which recognizes the importance of protecting drinking water sources from nutrient runoff. “This is truly a historic moment for source water protection,” said American Water Works Association (AWWA) CEO David LaFrance. “The policy included in this Read More
New Security & Emergency Response Requirements in America’s Water Infrastructure Act
New water supply security, resiliency, and emergency response requirements are included in the America’s Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) is expected to develop guidance materials for utilities by late summer of 2019, according to the American Water Works Association (AWWA). These materials should clarify what water providers need to do Read More