This Week in Washington is a weekly publication of the Water Environment Federation’s Government Affairs department. It provides updates on the latest legislative and regulatory developments that affect the water and wastewater communities.

November 3, 2006

Provided by the Water Environment Federation, Alexandria, VA

WEF Identifies Climate Change as Priority Concern for Water Utilities, Professionals
The Water Environment Federation (WEF) announced a new climate change resolution during the Opening General Session of WEFTEC®.06 on October 23 in Dallas. Officially adopted by the Federation’s Board of Trustees on October 20, the resolution recognizes climate change and its impacts on the planet’s natural hydrologic cycle.  The resolution was announced by WEF President Michael Read following the keynote address by Dr. James Hansen, Director of NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies and top climate change scientist. Recognized as the leading U.S. expert on climate change and global warming, Dr. Hansen provided an in-depth overview of the issue, discussed future scenarios, and outlined practical implications to hydrology and water management to an audience of nearly 2,000 water quality professionals.  “I believe that climate change is the paramount environmental issue of our time,” said Read. “The adoption of this resolution is an important step for the Federation and we look forward to working with our members and others to implement it.”  The resolution commits WEF to working with its members, members associations, and others to help reduce the impacts of climate change to better prepare the water quality community for its effects. It also urges WEF members and local agencies to become leaders in their own communities by taking steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from treatment facilities and related operations, and by educating the public.  The resolution is available at http://www.wef.org/GovernmentAffairs/PolicyPositionStatements/ClimateChange.htm. (SRT)

EPA Unveils Guidelines for New Conservation Program
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued the first set of specifications to certify professionals under the agency's WaterSense program on October 27. The specifications set technical requirements for certifying landscape irrigation professionals.  Once certified, professionals will become WaterSense partners and be able to use the WaterSense logo.  WaterSense, launched in June, is a market-based conservation program comparable to the agency's EnergyStar effort.  "Wasting water through poor irrigation design is like watching your dollars go down the drain," said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. "WaterSense irrigation provides smart water solutions that are a win-win for our wallets, and our environment. WaterSense just makes sense."  WaterSense is a voluntary public-private partnership, and EPA is inviting organizations to become WaterSense partners.  Products and services that are at least 20 percent more efficient than their counterparts can be labeled with the droplet logo.  The label is expected to start appearing in stores early next year.  EPA officials said lawn sprinklers will be among the first products eligible for labels early next year, after independent testing ensures that EPA specifications have been met.  They are to be followed by bathroom plumbing fixtures.  The new WaterSense guidelines are available at http://www.epa.gov/watersense/docs/program_guidelines508.pdf.  More information on the program is available at www.epa.gov/watersense.  (SJH)

Clean Water Organizations Issue Two New RFPs
On October 30 WEF issued two new joint requests for proposals (RFPs).  The first RFP, released jointly with the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) and the Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF), will evaluate the feasibility of establishing a jointly-sponsored utility management institute. The project, National Institute for Utility Management: Feasibility Evaluation & Business Plan Development, will explore the feasibility of enhancing the existing suite of utility management tools provided independently by the three organizations through a comprehensive common delivery mechanism. The product will be a feasibility assessment and a business plan for a potential National Institute for Utility Management (NIUM).  The second RFP, released jointly with NACWA, will be for an exploratory study of management and leadership training suitable for mid-level utility managers. The project, Exploration & Analysis of Mid-Level Management Training, will address the clean water community's need for affordable, accessible training for current and aspiring utility middle managers. The product will document the exploration and analysis of existing practices and offerings that may provide this type of specialized training. Responses for both RFPS are due no later than 5:00 pm ET on November 22.  Please see the RFPs for complete details.  For both projects, it is anticipated that the contractor selection process will be completed before the end of January 2007.
Visit www.wef.org to view the RFPs. (SRT)

Federal Advisory Committee on Detection and Quantitation Approaches and Uses in Clean Water Act Programs
EPA announced in the October 30 Federal Register a three-day meeting of the Federal Advisory Committee on Detection and Quantitation Approaches and Uses in Clean Water Act (CWA) Programs.  The meeting will be held on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, December 6, 7, and 8 in Arlington, Virginia. Members of the public may attend in person or via teleconference. The public may obtain the call-in number and access code for the teleconference lines.  To view the Federal Register notice, visit: http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-MEETINGS/2006/October/Day-30/m18229.htm.  (SJH)

White House Urged to Finalize 'Blending' Rule
The White House must finalize a stalled U.S. EPA "blending" policy to regulate sewage treatment practices during storms, according to a joint letter sent on November 3 by the National Association of Clean Water Agencies and the Natural Resources Defense Council.  EPA's draft policy was released in December and represents a compromise between the environmental group and the wastewater treatment industry. But the policy has yet to get a green light from the White House Office of Management and Budget.  NRDC supports the policy because it slashes the amount of partially treated sewage being discharged into waterways.  In order to clarify the issue, EPA in 2003 issued a controversial plan would have relaxed existing sewage treatment regulations and allowed the discharge of large volumes of partially treated wastewater. The agency received 98,000 public comments, many in opposition. It later dropped its efforts in lieu of the proposal issued in December.  The policy appeals to industry because it provides clarity about appropriate measures to take during storms.  In the joint letter, NRDC urges the Administration to move forward to adopt and implement this policy as soon as possible to reduce regulatory confusion and to improve water quality and public health nationwide. NACWA commented that it would be unconscionable to abandon a sound compromise by historic adversaries on a controversial environmental issue." (SJH)

This Week in Washington is provided by the Water Environment Federation, Alexandria, VA. To receive This Week in Washington by e-mail, contact Lisa Jones, (703) 684-2400 ext. 7741, ljones@wef.org. For more information on this week's stories, please contact the WEF staff whose initials appear at the end of the item in which you are interested. TW –Tim Williams (703) 684-2437, twilliams@wef.org; SRT - Sharon Thomas, (703) 684-2423, sthomas@wef.org; SJH - Sam Hadeed (703) 684-2418, shadeed@wef.org; PS-Patricia Sinicropi (703) 684-2416, psinicropi@wef.org. This Week in Washington is available on-line at http://www.wef.org/GovernmentAffairs/TWIW/.