• Offers quick access to critical resources like policy statements, manuals, handbooks, and memoranda that clarify how EPA interprets and enforces environmental regulations—especially valuable under the Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act frameworks.
• Excludes superseded or outdated materials, as well as internal-only documents not intended for public or regulated-entity use.

• Scope of Data: The ninth dataset includes approximately 1.7 million sample results from nearly 9,950 public water systems, representing ~83% of the results expected by the time reporting concludes in 2026.
• Timeline: Results reflect nine quarters of monitoring (Q1 2023 – Q1 2025).
• Connection to Regulation: Several PFAS monitored under UCMR 5 are already included in EPA's April 2024 National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) for PFAS, making these data especially relevant for compliance and planning.

• UCMR 5 Data Finder – An interactive public tool to search, filter, and download UCMR 5 results (with a video demo).
• Occurrence Data Text Files – Large datasets (with ZIP Code details) for agencies, researchers, and analysts.
• UCMR 5 Data Summary – National statistics, health effects information, and key definitions.
• UCMR 5 Q&A – A guide to interpreting data and understanding PFAS and lithium findings.

• PFAS Focus: Many Washington systems are already monitoring or planning treatment upgrades for PFAS. UCMR 5 results provide critical benchmarks to understand local and national occurrence patterns.
• Lithium Monitoring: While PFAS dominate headlines, lithium's inclusion highlights another emerging concern for source water quality.
• Utility Preparedness: With EPA's PFAS rule now in effect, UCMR 5 data help utilities assess potential compliance gaps, prioritize treatment planning, and inform community communication.
• Public Transparency: Because data are publicly accessible, customers and stakeholders may review results directly—underscoring the importance of proactive outreach from utilities.

• Review the UCMR 5 Data Finder to see if your system's results are available.
• Use the data to inform planning, budgeting, and discussions with boards and ratepayers about PFAS compliance investments.
• Share questions or experiences with WASWD so we can bring statewide input to EPA and state regulators.

• Oregon has approved funding—ranging from $410,000 to approximately $800,000—under House Bill?2947 for a study spearheaded by Oregon State University's Extension Service and College of Agricultural Sciences, in collaboration with the Department of Environmental Quality and wastewater utilities.
• The research will:
  • Assess PFAS levels in biosolids—treated municipal sludge used as fertilizer—applied to non-food agricultural lands
  • Analyze whether PFAS persists or leaches into soil and groundwater
  • Evaluate PFAS presence in soils and non-food crops grown on those sites

1. Shared Environmental Challenges
   While Washington may not yet be funding a similar PFAS biosolids study, our utilities and agricultural communities face comparable questions about long-term chemical impacts on soil and water.
2. Biosolids & Utility Practices
   Many Washington utilities use biosolids in land management. As in Oregon, these materials may contain PFAS. Understanding the risks is vital for ensuring safe and sustainable practices.
3. Policy & Prevention
   Oregon's emerging data may inform national efforts and guide potential regulations. Washington stakeholders should be ready to respond proactively—with research-backed practices and protective guidelines.
4. Public Health Intersections
   The EPA recently linked sewage sludge–borne PFAS to elevated cancer risks and immune effects—especially in communities consuming products from farms treated with contaminated biosolids. This raises clear questions for our forestry, farming, and wastewater sectors.

• Broad support from leading water sector organizations—including AWWA, AMWA, NACWA, Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies, National Association of Water Companies, National League of Cities, Rural Community Assistance Partnership, U.S. Conference of Mayors, and Water Environment Federation—who have all endorsed the bill.
• Proven impact: The initial LIHWAP program provided over $1 billion to approximately 1.5 million households, helping prevent nearly 1 million service disconnections.
• Mechanics and flexibility: Grants would be awarded to states or tribes, with up to 15% of funds available for administration, eligibility determination, and outreach. The program emphasizes assistance through utilities—enabling credits directly applied to household water bills.

1. Affordability Relief for Our Communities
   Many Washington families—especially in economically vulnerable areas—struggle with rising water and wastewater costs. A permanent LIHWAP would offer stability and assistance to those most in need.
2. Support for Utility Operations
   By reducing unpaid bills and helping households stay connected, this program can improve financial health for utilities across the state.
3. Potential for State-Level Advocacy
   WASWD is well-positioned to advocate for Washington's inclusion in the program and to assist local agencies with outreach, eligibility screening, and leveraging administrative portions of the funding.
4. Strong Sector Alignment
   Washington's representation in the bill—most notably Rep. Kim Schrier (D-WA) as an original House co-sponsor—positions our state to have a meaningful voice as the legislation advances.

• Legislative Monitoring & Outreach
  We'll continue tracking H.R.?4733 as it moves through Congress, especially its progress in committees and the Senate. We're prepared to amplify our members' needs in discussions with federal policymakers.
• Member Preparation & Support
  We can help districts prepare for potential inclusion by developing tools and guidance related to eligibility verification, outreach strategies, and utility billing adjustments.
• Partner Coordination
  We'll collaborate with state agencies, tribal entities, community organizations, and utility partners to ensure that the program—once enacted—can be administered effectively statewide.

• In 2018, researchers identified car tire particles—washed into streams via stormwater runoff—as the cause of salmon deaths.
• In 2020, a preservative used in nearly every tire, 6PPD, was pinpointed as the likely culprit.
• The latest research, led by Ph.D. student Stephanie I. Blair at WSU's Puyallup Research & Extension Center, reveals exactly how the chemical kills salmon: when 6PPD reacts with ozone, it forms a toxic compound called 6PPD-quinone, which breaches the blood-brain and blood-gill barriers, causing suffocation.
• This understanding lays the foundation for developing safer alternative chemicals that won't threaten aquatic life.

• Salmon Significance: Coho salmon are integral to our state's ecology, economy, and treaty rights for tribal communities. Many populations are already threatened.
• Stormwater Management: Urban stormwater is clearly a deadly threat to returning salmon. WASWD's advocacy for improved green infrastructure—like rain gardens, biofiltration systems, and vegetated swales—directly aligns with reducing exposures to these runoff toxins.
• Statewide Implications: These findings highlight an urgent opportunity for Washington utilities, environmental agencies, and policymakers to prioritize investments in stormwater treatment and push for regulatory and industry-level changes in tire composition.

• Monitoring Research & Regulation: We're closely following WSU's ongoing work to validate safe alternatives to 6PPD.
• Supporting Infrastructure Solutions: Encouraging funding and guidance to help districts implement effective stormwater controls.
• Promoting Awareness & Action: Facilitating dialogue among utilities, legislators, environmental partners, and tribal communities on this critical issue.

• Shaping Technical Guidance – Sampling strategies, analytical methods (e.g., EPA Method 1633A), and monitoring frequency protocols.
• Defining Standards – Helping establish thresholds and actionable levels for PFAS in biosolids.
• Balancing Stakeholder Interests – Aligning agricultural needs, public health concerns, and wastewater utility operations.
• Framing Next Steps – Ecology's interpretation of PFAS test data and the path toward the 2029 report and future policy recommendations.

August 18, 2025 @7:30PM
Location: Virtual Zoom

August 20, 2025 @10:30AM
Location: Hybrid Zoom / In-Person
Alderwood Water & Wastewater District

CANCELED - Conference & Training Committee

August 21, 2025 @10:00AM
Location: Virtual Zoom

Board of Directors Meeting

August 25, 2025 @10:30AM
Location: Hybrid at WASWD Office

Section I & II Meeting

August 28, 2025 @6:00PM
Location: Virtual Zoom

CANCELED - Finance Committee

September 1, 2025 @10:00AM
Location: Virtual Zoom

CANCELED - Membership Committee

September 9, 2025 @10:00AM
Location: Virtual Zoom

CANCELED - Workforce Development Committee

September 10, 2025 @1:00PM
Location: Virtual Zoom

September 11, 2025 @10:00AM
Location: Virtual Zoom

WASWD Webinar: From Legislation to Action: Understanding Washington's New PFAS Testing Requirements
Presented by the Department of Ecology, Free. Zoom Link

This session will help wastewater districts understand what to expect from the near-term implementation of PFAS-related legislation—particularly regulatory requirements and operational implications. Emily will share an update on the work of the Biosolids Advisory Committee.

NEW - WA Online Training - The Power of Partnership: Sharing Resources with Neighboring Systems
Presented by the EFCN, Free. Registration Link

This training explores how partnerships, peer-to-peer exchange, and regional approaches can help small systems overcome these obstacles. Participants will learn about various collaboration models, including informal information sharing, shared resources, mutual aid agreements, and regionalization strategies. 

Virtual Workshop: Using Technologies and AI to Address Clean Water Challenges
Presented by the NACWA, $450 - $800. Registration Link

This two-day virtual workshop will focus on the transformative role of AI in driving workforce efficiency, improving water quality and strengthening operations. With strong momentum at the federal level—from both Congress and the Administration—around promoting cutting-edge technologies, this workshop will provide a timely opportunity for utility leaders to learn from peers and explore emerging tools and strategies.

The workshop is designed to promote peer learning and sector-wide collaboration. It will be especially valuable for utility leaders looking to modernize systems, improve efficiency, or explore how AI can support day-to-day operations.

Review & Prep for Wastewater Operator Level 3 &  4 Certification Exam Workshop - In-Person
Presented by Professional Training Association, $610. Registration Link

This In-Person workshop will explain what to expect from the exam, provide you with tips on “test taking”, and help you identify areas you may want to focus on during your additional exam prep activities.

Math Review & Exam Prep for Operator Level 3 & 4 - In-Person Workshop
Presented by Professional Training Association, $510. Registration Link

This is perfect for operators who understand the principles of water and wastewater math and are interested in obtaining their Wastewater Treatment Operator level 3 or 4 certificate. In this workshop you will learn not to just plug numbers into formulas but what the formulas actually mean and how to apply them.

2025 Western Washington Short School Trade Show
Presented by PNWS- AWWA, $325. Registration Link

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.