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WASWD Updates for April 7, 2025
- By: WASWD
- On: 04/07/2025 11:51:04
- In: WASWD Updates 2025
- Comments: 0
| WASWD publishes this bi-weekly e-newsletter to convey current information about legislative and regulatory issues, other issues of importance to districts, and upcoming training and other events |
| WASWD Updates 2022-2024 Archive |
| Department of Ecology | |
| Ecology's Proposal to Update Water Quality Permit Fees is Available for Public Comment On March 27, 2025, Ecology is releasing a proposal to amend Water Quality Permit Fees (Chapter 173-224 WAC). This proposal would adjust fee amounts and categories for Fiscal Years 2026 and 2027 to recover projected program costs and move closer to payment equity for permittees. Ecology is required to use annual fees to recover the cost of administering the water quality permit programs under RCW 90.48.465. We anticipate adopting this rule in June 2025. Please see their rulemaking webpage for more information. They are proposing the following changes for this update. Increasing fees for most permit fee categories to recover program costs, changing the structure of some existing fee categories and creating new fee categories to better reflect current industries and operations and amending rule language to increase understanding The proposed changes would apply to Fiscal Years 2026 and 2027 fees and beyond. What documents are available for review and public comment? The following documents are now available for review and comment - Proposed rule language, Preliminary Regulatory Analysis, and the CR-102 To download these documents visit their rulemaking webpage. Public comment period You may submit comments on this proposal from March 27, 2025, 12 a.m. until May 20, 2025, 11:59 p.m. in the following ways.
Matthew Tietjen Water Quality Program PO Box 47600 Olympia, WA 98504-7600 Next Steps Following the public comment period, we will review and respond to comments received. We expect to adopt this rule no later than June 2025. The rule is effective 31 days after adoption. Additional Information Find more information about this rulemaking on their rulemaking webpage. Join their email list to receive email notices about permit fees. |
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| March 20 Partnership Meeting Presentation Now Available The Water Quality Partnership Presentation from the Department of Ecology's March 20 meeting is now available online. Please let them know if you have any questions or concerns. If you would like more information, please see their Water Quality Partnership webpage. In case you missed it This was a busy week for Water Quality! In case you missed it, here's a wrap-up of their announcements from this week. Draft Water Quality Permit fees Bulletin News release Comment period on Wastewater Operator Certification Draft Fees Bulletin Comment period on draft performance based approach--marine dissolve oxygen Bulletin |
| Washington State Department of Commerce | |
| Commerce Seeks Feedback on Guidance for Setting Residential Development Fees Feedback is due by April 30. Commerce is asking for comments on draft guidance that will assist cities and counties in setting development fees associated with residential construction. A draft version of the Proportional Impact Fee and System Development Changes Guidebook is available now on Commerce's Middle Housing webpage. The guidebook will be available for public comment during a 30-day period starting April 1. Comments can be submitted through an online form. Commerce will present the draft guidebook in a webinar at 10 a.m. April 10. Registration is required. Please register on Zoom to attend. For questions, contact Infill Housing Manager Lilith Vespier at Lilith.Vespier@commerce.wa.gov |
| PFAS | |
| How to Get Rid of Toxic ' Forever Chemical' Pollution' Regulatory efforts to purge PFASs from drinking water have led to a rush for technologies that can capture and destroy the chemicals. |
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| Rice Scientists Pioneer Method to Tackle 'Forever Chemicals' Rice University researchers have developed an innovative solution to a pressing environmental challenge: removing and destroying per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly called “forever chemicals.” A study led by James Tour, the T.T. and W.F. Chao Professor of Chemistry and professor of materials science and nanoengineering, and graduate student Phelecia Scotland unveils a method that not only eliminates PFAS from water systems but also transforms waste into high-value graphene, offering a cost-effective and sustainable approach to environmental remediation. Read More Here. |
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| PFAS Detected in Multiple New Your Counties' Public Water Supply, Environmentalists Say More than 1 million New Yorkers depend on public water systems for drinking water, and some are being exposed to manmade "forever chemicals" called PFAS, environmentalists say. The tap water in New York is said to be safe to drink as it meets federal and state standards, but according to a study by the Environmental Working Group, as of March 2025, WPFAS have been detected in public water systems in Westchester, Rockland, Nassau and Suffolk counties. |
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| Washington State Department of Health Office of Drinking Water This year, in addition to the PFAS requirements per the State Board of Health regulations, you may also see “initial quarterly” monitoring per the final federal PFAS regulations, which EPA published on April 26, 2024. To find a lab accredited for testing PFAS in drinking water, they created a list of Accredited Labs that Test Public Drinkingwater Samples for PFAS 331-700 (PDF). You can also access Ecology's Environmental Laboratory Accredidation webpage. DOH Can Pay for Your PFAS Sampling! DOH contracted with two laboratories and can pay for some or possibly all of your PFAS initial samples. Funding is limited, so it is important to sign up now. Fill out their online PFAS Free Sampling Enrollment Form, and they will contact you when your system is assigned to a lab for sampling. |
| EPA | |
| Senate Committee Holds Hearing for Assistant Administrator of EPA's Office of Water | |
| On Wednesday, March 26th, the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works held a confirmation hearing for three key appointed federal environmental positions. One of those positions is the Assistant Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Office of Water, for which Jessica Kramer is nominated. President Trump nominated Kramer for the position following her service at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. |
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| In her confirmation hearing, Kramer spoke to her personal connection to the Office of Water's mission. She highlighted the importance of cooperative federalism when referencing work she did to address a lead action level exceedance during her time at WDNR. She also emphasized her desire to streamline EPA's regulatory frameworks to make water regulations clearer within the agency. Senators asked Kramer questions about her understanding of cooperative federalism, her stance on maintaining access to federal funding, and her strategy to reduce bureaucratic inefficiency in the agency. Jessica Kramer formerly served as a staff member for the Committee on Environment and Public Works. The hearing adjourned at just after noon on Mach 26th. |
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| EPA and USACE Request Recommendations on Waters of the United States On Monday, March 24, EPA published an announcement in the Federal Register, WWOTUS Notice: The Final Response to SCOTUS: Establishment of a Public Docket; Request for Recommendations. In its announcement, EPA and the Department of the Army indicate their intention to engage with State and Tribal co-regulators, industry and agricultural stakeholders, environmental and conservation stakeholders, and the public on certain key topics related to the implementation of the definition of “waters of the United States” in light of the Supreme Court's 2023 decision in Sacket v. Environmental Protection Agency. In addition to upcoming listening sessions, the agencies are accepting written recommendations from members of the public via a recommendations docket. Written recommendations must be received on or before April 23, 2025. Written recommendations may be submitted electronically to OW-Docket@epa.gov (include Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2015-0093.) |
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| Regulatory News | |
| South Africans Flush Toilets with Drinkable Water | |
| As the planet gets hotter and freshwater sources dry up, cities and towns will not be able to continue the global norm of using millions of liters of clean, drinkable water to flush toilets. South Africa's Water Research Commission recently commissioned a study into using seawater to flush toilets in Cape Town. Water engineering lecturer Teboho Mofokeng researches water management and reuse in South Africa and she co-authored the study. She spoke to The Conversation Africa about Capetonians' willingness to pay up to 10% more on their water bills to use seawater to flush their toilets, as long as it doesn't smell or stain their toilets. |  |
| New Poll Shows Americans view Water That's Safe to Drink and Reliably Supplied as Top Issues | ||
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The US Water Alliance's Value of Water Campaign found the majority of respondents support additional investments to improve water infrastructure, even if it means higher bills. Most Americans polled also expect the federal government to make investments to improve and maintain water infrastructure, the polling found, with the majority of participants going as far as supporting bond measures and higher local water bills to do so. |
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| “For most people, when they turn the tap on the water or on the faucet, water comes out. They flush the toilet, it goes away. It generally works,” said Scott Berry, the US Water Alliance's director of policy and government affairs. “So people don't see the problems buried beneath the surface, and it's so critical that that infrastructure works because of how important and how embedded clean water is to everything that we do, whether it's economic development, whether it's public health, whether it's environmental health.” | ||
| Cybersecurity | ||
| Cyber Threats to Water and Power Grids Escalate, New Report Warns | ||
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The report, titled The State of Critical Infrastructure Resilience, Evaluating Cyber Threats to Water and Electric Utilities paints a troubling picture. Sixty-two percent of respondents said their organisations had been targeted by cyber threat actors in the past year, with 80% of those experiencing multiple incidents. Over half (59%) confirmed that nation-state-sponsored attackers were behind the intrusions | |
| Technology | |
| The Top Eight Technological Trends to Shape Water Management in 2025 | |
| According to a recent World Economic Forum publication, 2025 is set to be a year marked by two key milestones: on the one hand, an increase in water stress for two-thirds of the world's population, and, on the other, absolute water scarcity for 1.8 billion people. This, together with the threats posed by climate change and the poor state of infrastructure in regions such as Latin America, where an average of 40% of the drinking water produced is lost, underscores the urgency of action. Read More Here. |
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| Scientists Discover 'Potential Breakthrough' in Protecting Salmon From Urban Killer | ||
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For decades, toxic tire dust has choked coho salmon before they can spawn in their natal streams. Now, King County scientists say they have made a “potential breakthrough” in how to save them. Preliminary results from a recently completed study show certain soil mixes can effectively filter a toxic chemical out of stormwater, boosting coho salmon's survival rates significantly. The key may be in special soil mixes containing sand, coconut fiber and biochar, a charcoal-like organic fertilizer, King County scientists said this week. |
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| The results suggest there is a potential solution to a seemingly intractable issue of how coho salmon can survive in urban streams where pollution from traffic is so ubiquitous. Read More Here. | ||
| Education | |
| Apply for Hands-On Summer Internships for High School and College Students | |
| King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks is offering paid summer internship opportunities for students interested in environmental work and communications. High school students can apply for the Clean Water Ambassadors Internship, a year-long program that includes a five-week summer intensive program running July 7 to Aug. 7. Interns explore clean water careers, take field trips, and develop communication skills. ORCA cards are provided. Applications open April 1. Apply for High School Internships Here |
| WASWD News | |
| WASWD Scholarship Application Deadline - April 30, 2025 | |
| The Washington Association of Sewer & Water Districts (WASWD) is pleased to offer scholarships to individuals interested in pursuing a career in the industry represented by our membership. WASWD offers a college scholarship, and a utility operator scholarship for high school graduates or others who seek technical training for operator positions. The WASWD Scholarship Fund is dedicated to Walt Canter, a long-term Commissioner of the Cedar River Water and Sewer District (1969-2017). He is considered a legend in the Sewer and Water industry in the State of Washington. You may Apply Here |
| Upcoming Meetings |
| Links to all virtual meetings are available on the Committee Documents webpage of the members only section of the WASWD website. |
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Government Relations Committee |
April 10, 2025 @10:00AM |
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Section I, II, III, & IV Meeting |
April 30, 2025 @7:00AM |
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Finance Committee Meeting |
May 5, 2025 @10:00AM |
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Government Relation Committee |
May 8, 2025 @10:00AM |
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Membership Committee |
May 13, 2025 @10:00AM |
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Section III Meeting |
May 13, 2025 @6:00PM |
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Workforce Development Committee |
May 14, 2025 @10:00AM |
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Conference & Training Committee |
May 15, 2025 @10:00AM |
| Trainings, Conferences & Events |
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WASWD 2025 Spring Conference & Trade Show |
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Tuesday April 29, 2025 - Thursday, May 1, 2025 | ||||
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Member registration is now open for the WASWD Spring Conference. Early Bird registration ends April 8, 2025. |
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ORCA Demonstration |
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Wednesday, April 30, 2025, 1:30PM – 4:00PM Registration Link Thursday, May 15, 2025, 10:00AM – 12:30PM Registration Link Wednesday, May 28, 2025, 1:30PM – 4:00PM Registration Link |
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Join the PDC to watch a demonstration of reporting various contributions, expenditures, and loans. Learn to personalize your campaign, import contacts, and enter fundraisers. Find out how to review and amend reports. |
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Understanding the F-1 |
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Wednesday, May 14, 2025, 10:00AM – 12:30PM Registration Link | ||||
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Are you required to file the F-1 Personal Financial Affairs Statement? This class will explain what you need to know about the F-1 and demonstrate how to use the PDC's filing system to complete the 8 sections of the report.
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Disclosure 101: Candidates and Committees |
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Wednesday, April 9, 2025, 1:30PM – 4:00PM Registration Link |
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Candidates and committees, join the PDC for an overview of campaign finance regulations. Learn the basics of reporting, including rules around contributions and expenditures. Hear guidance on using volunteers, hosting fundraisers, and advertising campaigns.
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NEW - Chlorine Disinfection and CT Calcualtions |
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Tuesday, April 15, 2025, 10:00AM – 11:00AM | ||||
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This 1-hour webinar covers calculations necessary to ensure adequate disinfection of drinking water that meets log inactivation requirements. Attendees will achieve the following learning objectives: • Calculate the concentration of chlorine disinfection products. • Determine CT inactivation levels achieved for a given chlorine application • Analyze disinfection scenarios to determine compliance with log treatment levels • Explain how removal and inactivation processes are applied in water treatment processes. |
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NEW - Detection and Forecasting of Harmful Algal Blooms |
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Wednesday, April 16, 2025, 12:00PM – 1:00PM | ||||
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EPA will host a webinar to present two research efforts related to detecting and forecasting cyanoHABs. The first uses satellite data to predict weekly probabilities of cyanoHABs in over 2000 U.S. lakes. EPA launched the public beta test forecast website for the 2024 active HAB season, and a newly updated forecasting website is planned for 2025. The second research effort uses cyanotoxin encoding genes as an early warning system to predict cyanoHABs in source and recreational waters throughout the U.S. |
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ICS 300: Intermediate ICS for Expanding Incidents |
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Tuesday, April 22, 2025 – April, 24, 2025, Seattle Registration Link Wednesday, May 14, 2025 – May 16, 2025, Snoqualmie Registration Link |
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The ICS-300 course is designed for individuals who may take on a more significant role during an incident, either in a supervisory or supporting capacity. This course offers extensive hands-on practice with key NIMS concepts, providing a deeper understanding and the opportunity to apply them in real-world scenarios.
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NEW - Super Summit - The Power of the PUDs |
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Wednesday, April 23, 2025 – Friday, April 25, 2025 | ||||
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This annual gathering if an excellent opportunity to collaborate with partner organizations, strengthen and deepening our connections to better serve customer owners.
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PNWS- AWWA 2025 Section Conference |
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Wednesday, May 7, 2025 – Friday, May 9, 2025 | ||||
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The conference features pre-conference training sessions, technical presentations, a vendor trade show, and ample networking opportunities, including a golf tournament, opening reception, and young professional scavenger hunt.
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NEW - Join the 2025 Wastewater Symbiosis Study Tour |
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Sunday, June 15 - 21, 2025 | ||||
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Key goals of the 2025 Wastewater Symbiosis Study Tour will be to translate inspiration and learnings from Denmark into action at our utilities back home in the PNW, to reshape many millions of dollars of capital investment and realize the economic and sustainability benefits of industrial symbiosis. |
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2025 Western Washington Short School Trade Show |
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Wednesday, October 1-2, 2025, 8:00AM – 5:00PM Renton | ||||
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This course reinforces information covered in the ICS-100 through ICS-300 courses, and discusses several new topics, including Area Command, and modifications to the standard ICS organizational structure that might be helpful during Complex Incidents. |
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| Associate Member Spotlight |
| Xylem Sensus, a Xylem brand, provides remotely-managed products and solutions that deliver the right data at the right time for investor-owned utilities, cooperatives and municipalities. As part of Xylem's digital portfolio, our smart devices connect with a variety of communication technologies to help customers make timely decisions that optimize electric, gas and water systems. Learn more at sensus.com |
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