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.

April 27, 2007

Provided by the Water Environment Federation, Alexandria, VA

International Water Development Experts Discuss Water for the Poor Act Implementation
On April 23, the U.S. Department of State, the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and the Woodrow Wilson Center’s Environmental Change and Security Program hosted a discussion on the implementation of the Paul Simon Water for the Poor Act of 2005.  The Water for the Poor Act of 2005, signed by President Bush on Dec. 1st, 2005, emphasizes the provision of affordable and equitable access to safe water and sanitation in developing countries as a core component of U.S. foreign assistance programs.  Within the context of sound water management, the act requires the Secretary of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development, among other U.S. Government agencies, to develop an implementation strategy and annual reports detailing the strategy’s progress.  The goal of Monday’s discussion was to engage a wide range of stakeholders on key elements of the U.S.’s strategy on water and sanitation and to garner feedback on the Act’s clout, in developing the next annual report.  It focused on “Transitioning from Emergency to Developing Assistance” and on improving the effectiveness of U.S. assistance in the water sector.  Experts in the field facilitated discussions on innovative approaches to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of U.S. investments in water and sanitation, including how to maximize the inputs from other donor countries, foundations, and local investors. (MB)

Let Scientists Decide Whether to Regulate Perchlorate, Says EPA
As stressed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) top water official to a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee April 25, scientific studies – not arbitrarily assigned deadlines - should drive EPA’s decision to regulate perchlorate as a drinking water contaminant.  EPA assistant administrator for water, Benjamin Grumbles, told the Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials that he has “concerns” that legislation proposed by Rep. Hilda Solis (D-CA) would take away the agency’s ability to determine whether it should regulate perchlorate based on “sound science.”  Grumbles explained the Bush administration’s views at a hearing on the Solis bill, the Safe Drinking Water for Healthy Communities Act of 2007 (H.R. 1747), convened by the subcommittee chairman Rep. Albert Wynn (D-MD).  According to the bill, EPA would be required to promulgate federal drinking water standards for perchlorate 18 months after the bill’s enactment. Grumbles said “Let science drive the results . . . let the scientists at the agencies inform the administration.”

There are many involved parties in the feud over perchlorate - a component of rocket fuel which has been found in groundwater used as a drinking water source - including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP).  The CDCP states that perchlorate could interfere with thyroid hormone production, which is critical for normal growth and cognitive development.  House representatives expressed frustration with EPA, stating that they can no longer wait on the agency to take action. The EPA has had perchlorate on its chemical contaminants list since 2005, and has still not determined whether it should regulate the chemical in drinking water sources. The agency has instead called for more studies, which they claim will help to “fully characterize” the effects of exposure. (MB)

EPA & Water Representatives Join Forces to Promote Green Infrastructure
On April 19, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state, environmental, and wastewater utility groups reached an agreement to use green infrastructure - grassy swales, rain barrels, and small, urban wetlands - to capture polluted stormwater runoff from paved roads & buildings in minimizing the threat of sewer overflows. Stephen Johnson, EPA Administrator, signed the national “statement of intent” in Pittsburgh with representatives from the Association of State and Interstate Water Pollution Control Agencies (ASIWPCA), Low Impact Development, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), and National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA). In formalizing the use of “green infrastructure” approaches, where stormwater is captured and returned to the soil, as opposed to flowing through overextended combined sewer and stormwater drains - a scenario often leading to “preventable” overflow problems.  The agreement pushes EPA and state permitting agencies to explore new methods or incentives to incorporate the use of green infrastructure into the requirements of National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits.  It also directs EPA to develop guidance materials explaining how regulatory and enforcement officials should evaluate and “credit” the use of such approaches in meeting Clean Water Act requirements. Visit http://www.epa.gov/npdes/greeninfrastructure for more information about EPA’s green infrastructure program. (MB)

USDA Rural Development Awards Nearly $180 Million for Rural Water Systems
Agriculture Under Secretary Thomas C. Dorr celebrated the 37th anniversary of Earth Day on April 23 by announcing U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development funding of 61 new rural water and wastewater community systems in 29 states totaling nearly $180 million. "These projects will build and improve rural water and sewage systems, and rural communities will benefit through cleaner water, recreation and wildlife resources," Dorr said.  "USDA is working with communities across America to provide investment financing and an improved quality of life for local residents."  Earth Day is observed annually on April 22 to inspire awareness of and appreciation for the environment.  The USDA funding announced on April 23 will help communities upgrade sewage systems to better manage storm runoff, expand and/or upgrade water treatment plants, extend water service to new residents, and build a renewable energy generation facility.  A complete list of the selected loan and grant recipients and projects can be found at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rd/newsroom/news.htm.   Additional information about these programs and other key USDA accomplishments is featured on an Earth Day Backgrounder at www.usda.gov. (SJH)

EPA Water Quality Modeling Tool – New & Improved
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a more user-friendly and readily available version of its watershed management program on April 23.  BASINS, “Better Assessment Science Integrating Point and Nonpoint Sources,” is a multi-objective system that integrates environmental data, analytical tools, and modeling programs.  The new BASINS 4.0 version will be a valuable tool for watershed and water quality-based analyses, including the development of total maximum daily load (TMDL) allocations. The upgraded system runs on non-proprietary, open source, free geographic information system (GIS) software, making the tool universally available to anyone interested in the system.  For more information about BASINS 4.0, visit www.epa.gov/waterscience/basins. (MB)

WERF Seeks Nominations for Seventh Annual Paul L. Busch Award
The Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF) Endowment for Innovation in Applied Water Quality Research is accepting nominations for the 2007 Paul L. Busch Award.  The award, which carries with it a $100,000 research grant, is presented each year to an individual or team performing scientific research or engineering work that breaks new ground to deliver products of vital importance to the water environment.  Applications must be received by June 1.  All submissions should be sent to WERF, Paul L. Busch Award, 635 Slaters Lane, Suite 300, Alexandria, VA 22314. More information on the award is available at http://www.werf.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=The_Paul_L_Busch_Award.  

Quote of the Week:
“We must use time as a tool, not as a crutch.”
--John Fitzgerald Kennedy

This Week in Washington is provided by the Water Environment Federation, Alexandria, VA.  To receive This Week in Washington by e-mail, contact Sharon Thomas, (703) 684-2423 , sthomas@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; MB-Maya Buchanan (703) 684-2416, Mbuchanan@wef.org. This Week in Washington is available on-line at  http://www.wef.org/GovernmentAffairs/TWIW/.