Tag Archives: EPA

CDC Scientists Discuss Wastewater-Based Epidemiology

July 29, 2020

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The Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Virginia) held a webcast July 15 discussing the first federal government-led wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) effort in the U.S. The webcast featured scientists from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. Click here to listen to the webcast.

Studying concentrations of pathogens in wastewater — a practice known as wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) — is a time-honored approach to gathering crucial public health data that traditional approaches might miss. During the coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are partnering with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a […]

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U.S. EPA Honors Two New England WEA Members

May 28, 2020

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Region 1 of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which serves six northeastern states and ten tribal nations, recently recognized two wastewater professionals for excellence in their respective fields. Wayne Graham of the Vermont Rural Water Association received the 2019 Regional Wastewater Trainer of the Year Excellence Award, and Paul Desrosiers, a Providence, Rhode Island-based […]

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U.S. EPA Reflects on Water Ahead of 50th Anniversary

April 10, 2020

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Agency highlights water accomplishments during yearlong celebration Throughout 2020, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is celebrating its 50th anniversary by reviewing progress in a different aspect of the environment each month. In February, the agency focused on a half-century of accomplishments in water conservation and management. Image courtesy of EPA December 2, 2020, will […]

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Accommodating Essential Water Services

March 31, 2020

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State and federal regulators recognize that water resource recovery facility (WRRF) operators are among a select few critical personnel categories. During the coronavirus pandemic, regulators at multiple levels are exercising reasonable enforcement discretion and enabling more people to help keep WRRFs in operation. Image courtesy of U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency

In recent days, state and federal regulatory groups have made several temporary policy changes that recognize the water sector’s critical role in protecting public health during the coronavirus pandemic. These changes relax certain restrictions, such as temporarily honoring expired operator certification credentials or forgiving missed consent decree deadlines, that could otherwise impede a water resource […]

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EPA Announces New Water Workforce Initiative at WEFTEC 2019

October 31, 2019

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During WEFTEC Technical Session No. 200: Water Policy Update, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Office of Water Dennis Lee Forsgren Jr., unveiled America’s Water Workforce Initiative, which will formulate an action plan to attract and preserve talent in U.S. water utilities. Photo courtesy of Oscar & Associates

At WEFTEC 2019 in Chicago, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Office of Water Dennis Lee Forsgren Jr., announced a new effort to help American utilities surmount the looming water-sector skills shortage expected in coming years. EPA plans to release a draft of America’s Water Workforce Initiative for public comment by […]

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Water Utilities Commended for Transformational Activities

August 15, 2019

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Click here for details on the Utility of the Future Today program, established in 2016 by the Water Environment Federation (Alexandria, Va.), the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (Washington, D.C.), the Water Research Foundation (Alexandria, Va.), WateReuse Association (Alexandria, Va.), and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The forward-thinking initiatives of 43 water utilities are being recognized as they reimagine partnering and engagement, watershed stewardship, and recovery of resources such as water, energy, and nutrients. The Utility of the Future Today recognition celebrates the achievements of water utilities that transform from the traditional wastewater treatment system to a resource recovery center and […]

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WEF Supports Bipartisan Bill to Extend NPDES

April 28, 2019

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On March 14, legislation (H.R. 1764) was introduced that would extend the maximum term for National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued under the Clean Water Act from 5 to 10 years. U.S. Reps. John Garamendi (D–Calif.), Ken Calvert (R–Calif.), and Rob Woodall (R–Ga.) introduced the bipartisan bill to support local water infrastructure projects. […]

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From the President: Advancing Research, the Scientific Capital

April 16, 2019

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From the President - Tom Kunetz Featured

Since the end of World War II, the investment of federal money into basic research has led to many advances in engineering, materials science, computer science, medicine, and psychology. Yet, even with evidence of all these benefits, the relative contribution U.S. Congress has made into research as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP) has […]

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