Clean Water Advocate | Winter 2020

C E L E B R AT I N G F I F T Y Y E A R S O F C L E A N WAT E R W I N T E R

2 02 0

ADVOCATE C L E A N WAT E R

T H E N AC WA M AGA Z I N E

YEARS

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

NACWA at 50

National Clean Water Advocacy With Local Results

Strength in Numbers

The National Association of Clean Water Agencies

Addressing the PFAS Challenge

2

SAVE the DATE 5 0 TH A N N I V E R S A R Y CONFERENCE & GAL A July 13-16, 2020 S E AT T L E , W A Celebrating the unparalleled achievements of NACWA’s public clean water utility members over the past five

T H E C L E A N WAT E R A D V O C AT E | W I N T E R 2 0 2 0

decades and expressing gratitude for the incredible efforts they have made to advance clean water.

N AC WA 5 0. O R G

C L E A N WAT E R A D V O C AT E

TABLE OF CONTENTS 4

President’s Message

NACWA at 50

BY JOHN SULLIVAN

6

National Clean Water Advocacy With Local Results

BY BRIAN HEASTON, PE

10

Strength in Numbers

BY SUSAN TANNER HOLMES & TODD DANIELSON

16

Small Utilities, Bigger Challenges

BY COLLIN DRAT

20

Addressing the PFAS Challenge

BY ROSA GWINN, PH.D.,P.G.

24

Working Toward Every Utility a Member

BY KELLY BROCATO

2

CO N T R I B U T I N G WR I T E R S Kelly Brocato Todd Danielson Collin Drat Rosa Gwinn, PH.D., P.G. Brian Heaston, PE Susan Tanner Holmes John Sullivan

M A N AG I N G E DI TO R Nathan Gardner-Andrews General Counsel & Chief Advocacy Officer ngardner-andrews@nacwa.org

A R T & DE SI G N DI R E C TO R Sarah Bixby Lead Graphic Designer sbixby@nacwa.org

PUB LI SH E D B Y The National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA)

CO N TAC T

T H E C L E A N WAT E R A D V O C AT E | W I N T E R 2 0 2 0

NACWA 1130 Connecticut Ave, NW Suite 1050 Washington, DC 20036 (202) 833-2672 | info@nacwa.org

MEMBERSHIP Kelly Brocato Sr. Director, Membership Development & Retention kbrocato@nacwa.org

Founded in 1970, the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) is the nation’s recognized leader in legislative, regulatory, legal and communications advocacy on the full spectrum of clean water issues.

NACWA represents public wastewater and stormwater agencies of all sizes nationwide, and is a top technical resource in water quality, water management and sustainable ecosystem protection. NACWA’s unique and growing network strengthens the advocacy voice for all member utilities, and ensures they have the tools necessary to provide affordable and sustainable clean water for all communities.

Our vision is to represent every public clean water utility as a NACWA member and to build a strong and sustainable clean water future...together!

The National Environmental Achievement Award Program recognizes individuals and NACWA member agencies that have outstanding contributions to environmental protection and the clean water community.

LOCAL PUBLIC SERVICE The Honorable Mike Summers Mayor, City of Lakewood, OH

ENVIRONMENT Roberta (Bobbi) Larson Former Executive Director California Association of Sanitation Agencies, CA

UTILITY LEADERSHIP Frank Dick Wastewater Engineering Supervisor City of Vancouver, WA

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE

PUBLIC INFORMATION & EDUCATION - EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM Alexandria Renew, VA One Water Alexandria: A Partnership to Help Alexandrians Know Their H2O Central Contra Costa Sanitary District, CA Pipe Protectors City of Richmond Stormwater Utility, VA RVAH2O’s Rain Barrel Painting Program DC Water, DC Cool Arts & Cleaner Rivers

Ben Horenstein Former Water Director Santa Rosa Water, CA

East Bay Municipal Utility District, CA Wastewater Plant Tour Program

Logan Olds Former General Manager Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority, CA

Great Lakes Water Authority, MI One Water Regional Public Education Campaign

Rob Villée Former Executive Director Plainfield Area Regional Sewerage Authority, NJ

OPERATIONS & ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE City of Garland, TX Biosolids Rehabilitation and Odor Control Project East Bay Municipal Utility District, CA East Bay Wet Weather Collaboration to Significantly Reduce Infiltration and Inflow Upper Trinity Regional Water District, TX Riverbend Water Reclamation Plant Expansion and Upgrade

Hampton Roads Sanitation District, VA Education and Outreach Program Lesson Plan Updates Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County, CA The Clearwater Project

PUBLIC INFORMATION & EDUCATION - PRINTED PUBLICATION City of Garland, TX Industrial Pretreatment Quarterly Newsletter & Training

PUBLIC SERVICE East Bay Municipal Utility District, CA Employee/Retiree Coastal Cleanup Day Event Narragansett Bay Commission, RI Earth Day Clean-Up Grants Program

WATER RESOURCES UTILITY OF THE FUTURE Narragansett Bay Commission, RI Narragansett Bay Commission Utility of the Future NEW Water, WI R2E2 and Adaptive Management

WATERSHED COLL ABORATION Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority, NM Albuquerque Area Watershed Collaboration Program Clean Water Services, OR Tree for All

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT Great Lakes Water Authority, MI Apprenticeship Program

Hampton Roads Sanitation District, VA MBA Partnership Program Knoxville Utilities Board, TN Operator Qualification Program

PUBLIC INFORMATION & EDUCATION - VIDEO

NACWA would like to congratulate

KC Water, MO Imagine a Day Without Water

their commitment to improving,

Knoxville Utilities Board, TN Water Quality Video

all of this year’s honorees for preserving and protecting the environment.

N AC WA . O R G / N E A A

4

N A C W A AT

GO SMALL OR GO HOME! A Message from NACWA’s President NACWA turns 50 in 2020. And like any of us that have had the pleasure of being in our 50s, it takes a lot of hard work and a more tenacious focus to stay vibrant and strong. In this context, NACWA’s decision to open its arms and its membership to small clean water utilities a few years ago was such a milestone.

As an Officer of NACWA when the small utility membership issue was taken up by the Board of Directors and now as President, I can tell you we took great care to ensure the dues for small utilities would be affordable and the services they received would be the same as the larger utility members. Our small utility membership has grown rapidly and these utilities have provided us with incredible input and insight, ensuring more informed policy positions across our array of legislative, regulatory, legal and communications issues.

Most importantly, these small utilities have added their voice to our advocacy efforts in Congress and with EPA and other federal agencies. Their voice has helped NACWA advance the ball on numerous issues, including getting a key Senate hold removed that allowed the Integrated Planning amendment to the Clean Water Act to pass into law; helping us ensure that Congress removed harmful PFAS provisions in its defense funding legislation; and ensuring that EPA addresses its outdated 1997 clean water affordability guidance that does

T H E C L E A N WAT E R A D V O C AT E | W I N T E R 2 0 2 0

not sufficiently take into account low-income communities’ ability to pay.

As we look to NACWA’s next 50 years, I believe our work to bring small, medium and large utilities together to share best practices and collectively shape policy will prove to be one of the most important initiatives NACWA has ever undertaken.

I encourage you to read the articles in this issue of the Clean Water Advocate.

Some of the articles were authored by our small utility leaders and offer a window into the growing role of small utilities in the NACWA family and how this will shape a more sustainable path forward.

B Y J O H N S U L L I VA N | N AC WA P R E S I D E N T Chief Engineer | Boston Water & Sewer Commission

MEMBERSHIP + ENGAGEMENT

I BELIEVE OUR WORK TO BRING SMALL, MEDIUM AND LARGE UTILITIES TOGETHER TO SHARE BEST PRACTICES AND COLLECTIVELY SHAPE POLICY WILL PROVE TO BE ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT INITIATIVES NACWA HAS EVER UNDERTAKEN. J O H N S U L L I VA N | N AC WA P R E S I D E N T

5

T H E C L E A N WAT E R A D V O C AT E | W I N T E R 2 0 2 0

6

MEMBERSHIP + ENGAGEMENT

NATIONAL CLEAN WATER ADVOCACY WITH LOCAL RESULTS

BY BRIAN HEASTON, PE

N

estled within the pastoral Gallatin Valley of southwestern Montana, NACWA small member utility the City of Bozeman is the fastest growing micropolitan community in the United States. Bozeman is rapidly transforming into a dense population center and regional economic stronghold, as evidenced by construction cranes that dot

a skyline once reserved for the mountains of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Bozeman is in the midst of a difficult transitional period as it departs its small town nest and takes flight as a full-fledged city.

Although relatively small in terms of size, issues facing NACWA small member utilities such as the City of Bozeman – those serving less than 100,000 people – are in many ways no different than issues confronted

by NACWA large member utilities. Bozeman is grappling with an array of challenges, each compounded and made more difficult by its transitional growing pains: overcoming technical and legal issues related to achieving aspirational water quality standards; recruiting and retaining skilled utility workers; correcting deferred maintenance obligations; shifting into a ‘utility of the future’ by implementing data-driven asset management and integrated planning principles; meeting level of service expectations affordably; complying with enforceable provisions of its POTW and MS4 discharge permits; setting fair and reasonable utility rates that balance community affordability against capital funding necessities; and implementing major capital improvements to proactively stay ahead of the growth curve.

7

8

This list of issues is certainly not all inclusive yet

of pipe effluent limits, crafted a complementary

illustrates how small and large member utilities’

nutrient WQS variance designed to:

challenges are not generally distinguishable by scope, but are rather separated by degree or magnitude. Arguably, challenges facing small member utilities such as the City of Bozeman manifest more acutely as personnel and funding resources are limited by diminutive rate bases as compared to larger utility cohorts.

NACWA brings the substantial weight of its national advocacy resources to bear by assisting the City of Bozeman with the single largest issue facing its wastewater utility: complying with the State of Montana’s numeric nutrient water quality standards (WQS). It is an issue of national significance despite

1. Make incremental progress towards achieving the WQS over time; and 2. Allow additional time for new wastewater treatment technologies to emerge and advance in the marketplace to the point of being reliable and affordable.

Unfortunately, this variance quickly attracted the attention of environmental activist groups.

The very first federal lawsuit challenging EPA’s recently promulgated WQS variance regulations originated in Montana. The main complaint filed by activist groups in Upper Missouri Waterkeeper v.

SMALL MEMBER UTILITIES SUCH AS THE CITY OF BOZEMAN BENEFIT DIRECTLY FROM NACWA’S MISSION. it being explicitly applicable to discharge permit holders in Montana. This is because incremental T H E C L E A N WAT E R A D V O C AT E | W I N T E R 2 0 2 0

progress towards achieving Montana’s numeric nutrient WQS depends on, and is inextricably linked to, a crucial implementation tool contained in federal implementing regulations of the Clean Water Act (CWA): a WQS variance.

Montana’s numeric nutrient WQS are set at such a restrictive level (0.3 mg/L TN, 0.03 mg/L TP) that no currently available wastewater treatment technology exists to meet the standard end of pipe. Not even reverse osmosis, the most advanced treatment technology available, can produce effluent of this quality.

The State of Montana, recognizing that its nutrient WQS are literally impossible to achieve as end

EPA alleges that WQS variances are unlawful under the plain language of the CWA and are inconsistent with congressional intent. NACWA, through the wisdom and guidance of its Legal Affairs Committee, immediately grasped the threat to NACWA member utilities, small and large, should EPA’s WQS variance regulations be eviscerated in this case.

On its own initiative, NACWA reached out to the City of Bozeman to offer its legal assistance. NACWA was successful in entering the case as an IntervenorDefendant, not only injecting an important national policy perspective, but also arguing on behalf of the best interests of all its member utilities. At the same time, NACWA’s actions were directly helping local communities on the ground in Montana like Bozeman – communities that may not often factor

MEMBERSHIP + ENGAGEMENT

into national clean water policy decisions but which

issues small member utilities contend with on a

acutely feel their impacts.

daily basis, providing much needed and appreciated

Due in no small part to NACWA’s legal efforts, the court’s ruling in this case crucially held that WQS variances are in fact lawful under the CWA and do

resources that not only buoy daily operations but help guide long range compliance and utility planning efforts.

not depart from congressional intent. The court’s

Small member utilities such as the City of Bozeman

ruling, however, also found that EPA acted in an

benefit directly from NACWA’s mission – objectively

arbitrary and capricious manner in approving a

accruing advantages through tireless advocacy on

particular component of Montana’s nutrient WQS

Capitol Hill, working relationships with political

variance concerning the length of time Montana

and career EPA staff and engaging in federal

dischargers have to achieve the interim Highest

litigation with far-reaching impacts to its member

Attainable Condition. NACWA is currently appealing

utilities. By folding in small member utilities,

the adverse portion of the ruling to the 9 Circuit

NACWA’s vanguard gains potency and diversity in

in an effort to remove the chilling influence it may

creating a strong, sustainable clean water future for

have on future EPA approvals of WQS variances

communities nationwide, no matter their size.

th

proposed not only by Montana but by other states in other EPA Regions.

NACWA’s Board, leadership and staff are

Brian Heaston is a Senior Water Engineer with the City of Bozeman, Montana.

commended for their recognition and support of

9

10

STRENGTH IN NUMBERS: HOW SMALL & MEDIUM UTILITIES BENEFIT FROM AND PROVIDE VALUE TO NACWA B Y S U S A N TA N N E R H O L M E S & T O D D D A N I E L S O N

everal years ago, NACWA

promote and address the specific needs of these

contracted with a national firm

utilities. One of the first steps the Board initiated

to perform an organization-

included reducing the membership fee for the

wide communication study. The

smallest utilities to encourage participation in

purpose of the study was to

and utilization of NACWA’s valuable resources.

focus on how the organization

Many small utilities must work within very tight

was communicating with its members. The results

constraints, and officials in charge of approving

of the study were startling. While a third or more of

budgets have not historically understood the

the members were small to medium-sized utilities,

importance of the national perspective or value of

the perception of all members and the public was

national advocacy from an organization such

that NACWA focused only on large utilities.

as NACWA.

Since that time the Board of Directors has

Due to these very tight budgets, small- and mid-

established major steps to change that paradigm,

sized utility staff members often do not receive the

and NACWA has initiated an “every utility a

opportunity to attend national conferences and,

member” campaign. One of the first steps was to

therefore, miss out on the networking and

create a small to medium-sized utility workgroup.

idea germination opportunities that these

T H E C L E A N WAT E R A D V O C AT E | W I N T E R 2 0 2 0

S

conferences afford.

Unique Challenges for Small Utilities As co-chairs of that group, it has been exciting to work with other small and mid-sized utilities to

CONTINUED ON PG. 12

engineering architecture consulting

Greeley and Hansen is proud to support NACWA We congratulate NACWA for 50 years of clean water advocacy and leadership!

greeley-hansen.com

12

Benefits for Small Utilities In lieu of travel, NACWA’s online Engage network has benefited both authors’ organizations. When Central Davis Sewer District (CDSD) had a major concern about land application and their biosolids program, CDSD staff was able to reach out to NACWA staff and other utilities

T H E C L E A N WAT E R A D V O C AT E | W I N T E R 2 0 2 0

for answers to questions and through the Engage forum

NACWA HAS ESTABLISHED FUNDING TO HELP OFFSET SOME OF THE COSTS FOR THESE CONSTRAINED UTILITIES’ REPRESENTATIVES TO ATTEND NATIONAL CONFERENCES to get help and valuable ideas from both large and small utilities across the nation. When Avon Lake Regional Water was considering implementing the quality improvement standard, ISO 9001, staff also reached out through the Engage forum to learn what utilities were implementing nationally.

Taking to heart the importance of communication and increasing the focus on the smaller utilities, the

concerns and challenges of the small- and mid-sized utility members in attending national conferences. NACWA has established funding to help offset some of the costs national conferences, thereby allowing them to learn from other small, mid-sized and large utilities. Both authors have benefited from that program and have gained insights to help lead their utilities through new and challenging

+ ENGAGEMENT

for these constrained utilities’ representatives to attend

MEMBERSHIP

NACWA Board has also helped address the financial

situations. This is a vital service as we face the same workforce training, technology advancement and retention issues as bigger utilities but face it without large HR departments and developed HR peer groups.

Similar to having small-to-non-existent HR departments, small and mid-sized utilities often do not have government affairs groups to track what is going on in Washington, even when it can have immediate and critical impacts.

Avon Lake Regional Water, located on the shores of Lake Erie, is a combined sewer community. A few years ago, a Member of Congress from another state introduced a bill that would require immediate notification regarding Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs) into the Great Lakes – something that presents serious technical and operational challenges to CSO utilities of all sizes. NACWA alerted Avon Lake Regional Water and all other Lake Erie dischargers to this concern and coordinated an advocacy response to modify the legislation and helped utilities craft language to reach out to their federal elected representatives. The efforts led to significantly improved legislation that made reporting more manageable for utilities, especially smaller ones, while still protecting public health and the environment.

Another benefit CDSD utilizes is the NACWA awards program to show state water quality leaders, as well as state and national legislators, that CDSD actively and conscientiously tries to maintain a proactive, environmentally friendly and economically viable approach to clean water. This is especially important since CDSD discharges into the Great Salt Lake in Utah. In 2019, CDSD received its 19th Platinum award recognizing the utility’s dedication to excellence. In addition, representatives of CDSD have received other NACWA awards including ones for public service, the President’s award and environmental 13

T H E C L E A N WAT E R A D V O C AT E | W I N T E R 2 0 2 0

14

Cheers!

Congratulations to NACWA and its members on 50 years of clean water success.

Design with community in mind stantec.com/water

NACWA has grown

secure these types of honors, CDSD can save staff

significantly in recent years,

valuable time and effort and ensure stakeholders

and now has members in

receive quality service.

Engagement In addition to saving valuable resources, CDSD,

268

of

435

CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS

Avon Lake Regional Water and all small to mid-

+ ENGAGEMENT

Providing Opportunities for

MEMBERSHIP

awards. By focusing on achieving the steps to

sized utilities have been able to enjoy focused working group conference calls with other NACWA members. During one recent call, we learned how to implement internet protections and security solutions at low or no cost and still provide our personnel internet access to maps, repair lists and treatment SCADA systems. For utilities that often do not have fulltime IT staff, simple guidance such as this can be immensely helpful.

The “every utility a member” campaign is paying off. As NACWA has helped small to mid-sized utilities realize that membership is not just for the large utilities, NACWA has grown significantly. More than 10 small to mid-sized utilities joined in 2019 alone, leading to NACWA now having members

nation. As more and more Congressional Districts include NACWA members, the potential ability for NACWA to meet member needs and advance strong advocacy on behalf of the entire public clean water utility sector is multiplied.

Susan Tanner Holmes is a Member of the NACWA Board of Directors, Co-Chair of NACWA’s Small & Medium Utility Workgroup, and Chairwoman of the Central Davis Sewer District in Farmington, Utah.

Todd Danielson is Co-Chair of NACWA’s Small & Medium Utility Workgroup and Chief Utilities Executive of Avon Lake Regional Water in Avon Lake, Ohio.

in 268 of 435 Congressional Districts across the

15

16

SMALLER UTILITIES, BIGGER CHALLENGES Smaller Utilities Gain the Most from Financial Planning and Stakeholder Outreach B Y C O L L I N D R AT

I

t is a challenging time to be a

from their customers to provide the same level

clean water utility. Utilities

of service. Even when solutions are identified,

today face increasing

customers may be skeptical, and want evidence

regulations, aging

that the proposed approaches make effective use

infrastructure, declining use,

of limited financial resources.

difficulty achieving

stakeholder buy-in for policy solutions and much more. Even though these challenges impact utilities of all sizes, they are often exacerbated in smaller utilities.

Smaller utilities face all the same challenges as their larger counterparts but must recover the

T H E C L E A N WAT E R A D V O C AT E | W I N T E R 2 0 2 0

costs over a smaller customer base, asking more

Two ways smaller clean water utilities can effectively tackle these challenges are comprehensive financial planning and strategic communication and outreach.

Show Them The Money A comprehensive financial plan is a critical tool for small utilities because it identifies all the

broader picture as well as the impact of

develops a long-term strategy to address them.

addressing each challenge individually, and

This typically involves five to 10-year projections of revenues and expenditures, identifying adjustments sustainability.

customers. Once the plan is developed, utility leadership can begin setting expectations.

When circumstances change, this plan also

Given the capital-intensive nature of clean water

provides a transparent benchmark that can be

service, capital expenditures are generally the

used to explain those changes.

principal driver for additional rate revenues.

+ ENGAGEMENT

to rate revenues, as needed, to maintain financial

2. It actually supports communication with

MEMBERSHIP

potential demands on the utility’s resources and

HAVING A SOUND, LONGTERM PLAN, AND SHARING IT TRANSPARENTLY, TELLS CUSTOMERS THAT UTILITY LEADERS KNOW HOW TO BEST USE LIMITED FINANCIAL RESOURCES. Accordingly, a thoughtfully developed capital

Having a sound, long-term plan, and sharing it

improvement program will help increase customer

transparently, tells customers that utility leaders

buy-in for rate adjustments. Ideally the plan will

know how to best use limited financial resources

be based on a comprehensive asset management

and are prepared to adapt when circumstances

strategy, which prioritizes assets for replacement

change. This builds trust, which will be needed

based on condition. This is especially critical for

when additional financial resources are requested.

linear infrastructure, much of which was installed in large chunks, and will often begin to fail at the same time.

While a financial plan is not a panacea, it is invaluable in two ways:

Show Them The Need Having a sound financial plan isn’t enough. To meet the expectations of today’s savvy customers, utilities need to go beyond merely communicating the plan to their stakeholders. They must also consider

1. It encompasses all the challenges that can be

their stakeholders’ concerns and perspectives

addressed with a utility’s financial resources,

before presenting their rate plan for approval.

allowing utility leadership to see both the

This requires spending time to truly understand 17

stakeholders’ issues, attitudes and comprehension of rates and infrastructure investments.

This insight, gathered by interviews, workshops or surveys, can inform messaging, so that when utility leaders talk about the need for investments or a rate increase, they connect with the stakeholders in a way that has specific context and relevance to them. It’s also important that messaging isn’t just responsive to insights, it’s also clear and consistent — meaning there’s no jargon and communications are written in plain language, accessible to the broadest of audiences.

Another key way to build support for rates and investments is operational transparency. People only value what they can see, so utility leaders need to bring stakeholders in and show them what’s happening. For example, instead of presenting a graph of sanitary sewer overflows over time, bring a section of degraded wastewater collection main into the room. This “show, don’t tell” approach is much more powerful.

Utilities can use operational transparency to build understanding and support for investments all the time, not just when a rate increase is needed, by inviting stakeholders in for tours, hosting open houses, attending community events and such. These are key ways to build stakeholder value and support for investments.

Conclusion Financial planning and stakeholder engagement are complementary pursuits that can greatly enhance a utility’s success. When resources are limited, it is tempting to see these efforts as extras. In reality, given their size, smaller utilities have the most to gain from these strategies.

The good news is, after more than 25 years of working with clean water professionals, we know this group is up to the task.

Collin Drat is a Manager with Raftelis.

MEMBERSHIP + ENGAGEMENT

Water challenges are escalating around the globe, placing people and communities, our environment, and our very future at risk.

By 2025, 1.8 billion people will be living in countries or regions with absolute water scarcity. We are a Fortune 1000 global water technology provider with one mission: to help our customers solve water through the power of technology and expertise. Together, we can make water more accessible and affordable, and communities more resilient. Let’s create a world that is more water-secure and sustainable for all. We have the opportunity of a lifetime to solve water. Let’s work together and lead the way.

#LetsSolveWater

Xylem congratulates NACWA on 50 years of helping our nation solve water!

19

www.xylem.com

20

ADDRESSING THE PFAS CHALLENGE B Y R O S A G W I N N , P H . D. , P. G .

H

ardly a week passed in 2019

(Wang et al., 2017). As a result, these synthetic

without a news article or

chemicals are expected to be detected for decades

regulatory announcement

in the environment and are spreading to areas

regarding PFAS—per-and

far from their original release. Studies have also

polyfluoroalkyl substances—

shown that some PFAS are bioaccumulative and

in drinking water, wastewater

toxic, and may pose a risk to both human and

or biosolids. This class of emerging contaminants

environmental health.

has entered the public psyche and has garnered political attention in Washington more so than many prior environmental concerns in the U.S. and across the globe, perhaps due to the uncertainty surrounding PFAS sources, regulations and treatment. Because of their persistence and pervasiveness, PFAS present challenges for larger utilities and small utilities

Utilities While wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are not themselves the source of PFAS, they serve as a natural point of collection from industrial, commercial and domestic sources, and could

alike.

be key for control and potential removal from

What Are PFAS?

and at manufacturing and industrial facilities, in

PFAS are a large and complex class of

resulted in the presence of PFAS in the collection

anthropogenic compounds that have been used T H E C L E A N WAT E R A D V O C AT E | W I N T E R 2 0 2 0

Challenges for Public Clean Water

widely in industrial and consumer products since

the water cycle. PFAS use in consumer products conjunction with resistance to degradation, has system and at WWTPs both large and small.

the 1940s. This class of compounds is composed

Effluents discharged from wastewater treatment

of different families that have varying physical

plants and biosolids applied to land for

and chemical properties (Buck et al., 2011). Due

beneficial reuse have been identified as two of

to their unique and diverse chemical properties,

the main known PFAS release pathways into the

PFAS were incorporated into components of

environment by the Interstate Technology and

inks, varnishes, waxes, firefighting foams, metal

Regulatory Council (ITRC) (ITRC, 2017). This puts

plating, cleaning solutions, coating formulations,

WWTPs at the heart of managing and mitigating

lubricants, water and oil repellents, paper, and

the environmental spread of PFAS — they can

textiles (Paul et al., 2009).

act as key participants in protecting both human

While some PFAS undergo partial biotic or abiotic degradation, the perfluorinated compounds do not demonstrate susceptibility to degradation and are highly persistent in the environment

and environmental health. For smaller utilities with more limited resources, addressing these chemicals could prove particularly challenging.

evaluating the occurrence and fate seems simple, there are many unanticipated factors that may impact both. For example, the occurrence of PFAS in

• geographical location; • rural or urban location; • number and type of industrial dischargers

+ ENGAGEMENT

WWTPs may be affected by:

MEMBERSHIP

As is often the case with PFAS, while the concept of

within the sewershed or through direct trucked-in wastewater receiving stations at WWTPs; and • past or ongoing PFAS releases into the groundwater or atmosphere that enter the WWTP during wet weather events or high ground water period via inflow and infiltration.

Providing Utility Resources on PFAS AECOM has been a thought leader in PFAS evaluations, drawing on nearly 20 years of experience with these chemicals. AECOM is also at the forefront of building an understanding of PFAS occurrence and behavior, which promises to be a concern not only for the clean water sector but for environmental protection at large.

To date, limited data exist on the occurrence and fate of PFAS at WWTPs across the United States, and less is known about the effect that wastewater and biosolids treatment processes may have on the transformations, destruction or removal of PFAS to mitigate its release into the environment. So there is still much to be learned to inform the development of PFAS regulations.

To this end, AECOM recently supported a partner undertaking a statewide evaluation of the occurrence and fate of PFAS at many WWTPs. The study examined the occurrence and concentration of PFAS in the influent, effluent and treated biosolids. The occurrence was also linked back to the type of PFAS source industries and facilities in the sewershed through a comprehensive

21

Congratulations to all the NACWA members for years of clean water success.

50

Offices worldwide.

NACWA’s document also highlights less controllable

PFAS discharges.

sources, such as small volume, light industry and

NACWA is working to inform its utility members of all sizes on PFAS issues, including via the November

domestic sources that may intermittently enter a treatment system.

PFAS will be a continued challenge for clean water

to Considering Source Identification, Pretreatment,

utilities in the years to come. But the main takeaway

and Sampling Protocols for PFAS.” This document

from the work of NACWA and AECOM is that

highlights — despite the regulatory uncertainty —

knowledge, in the form of input assessment and/

proactive efforts that can be made in managing

or sampling data results, is an important tool for

sources of PFAS that make their way

utilities of all sizes to address PFAS concerns.

+ ENGAGEMENT

2019 publication “A Clean Water Utility’s Guide

MEMBERSHIP

examination of the industries and their specific

to utilities.

With care, planning and focused management,

Rosa Gwinn, VP, is the PFAS Lead for AECOM Americas.

PFAS-containing inputs from industrial and military sources may be managed prior to treatment.

VISIT:

nacwa.org/pfas to access the document and other resources.

A Clean Water Utility’s Guide to Considering Source Identification, Pretreatment, and Sampling Protocols for PFAS Learn more about how to identify industrial PFAS sources, what pretreatment steps utilities can take, what challenges utilities may encounter with sampling, and how to communicate PFAS issues with the public.

23

24

WORKING TOWARD EVERY UTILITY A MEMBER Engagement, Collaboration and the Next 50 Years of Clean Water Progress B Y K E L L Y B R O C AT O

T

here are over 15,000 publicly

with their small to mid-size utility counterparts.

owned treatment works

Doing so would elevate environmental benefit and

(POTWs) nationwide, plus

improve service to ratepayers and the clean water

thousands more public

sector as a whole.

conveyance systems and stormwater utilities. While

NACWA represents the majority of the nation’s

T H E C L E A N WAT E R A D V O C AT E | W I N T E R 2 0 2 0

sewered population, we still have significant room

Improving Membership Accessibility & Services for Small Utilities

to grow.

The first step to achieving the Board’s lofty goal

Recognizing the even greater impact that NACWA

utilities with limited resources. So, in a bold and

could have if every public clean water utility

unprecedented move for most Associations, the

were a member, in 2016 the NACWA Board of

leadership reviewed NACWA’s dues structure and

Directors set a goal of ensuring that the Association

decided to lower dues for utilities that have service

had representation in every state and every

area populations under 75,000. They created a

congressional district in the country – and the Every

subscription rate membership with full member

Utility a Member Campaign was born.

benefits, allowing utilities with populations less

Looking at this challenge a little closer, the Board recognized that the majority of the membership potential was in the small to mid-size utility

was to make membership a feasible option for

than 40,000 to join for $750, and those with populations greater than 40,000 but less than 75,000 to join for $1000.

demographic. In the wake of the Flint water

The next step was to enhance the value and return

crisis and sector-wide discussions surrounding

on investment for existing small and mid-size utility

consolidation and privatization, the Board saw an

members. To do this, the Association initiated the

opportunity for larger utilities and public agencies

Small & Mid-Size Utility Workgroup. Chaired by two

with enhanced resources to collaborate and partner

individuals who lead small utilities but are very

members and national staff, providing resources

of the Central Davis Sewer District in Utah and

and lessons learned from experience.

Todd Danielson, Chief Utility Executive at Avon Lake Regional Water in Ohio — the Workgroup’s of small and mid-size utilities; and to facilitate relationship development and networking between small and large utility members.

developed targeted communications identifying the potential impact key legislative, regulatory and legal advocacy issues may have on small and midsize utilities.

+ ENGAGEMENT

mission is to identify and support the needs

In addition to the Workgroup, NACWA has

MEMBERSHIP

engaged in NACWA — Susan Holmes, Chairwoman

A SMALL OR MEDIUM UTILITY NEEDS NACWA, THEY HAVE BECOME ONE OF MY UTILITY’S GUARDIANS...BEING A CEO OF A SMALL WASTEWATER UTILITY, [I CAN ATTEST THAT] NACWA SAVES ME TIME AND MONEY! D AV I D P E T E R S O N | CEO Caveland Environmental Authority, KY | Service Area Pop: 11,250

The Workgroup’s first initiative was to conduct a

Furthering its benefit to utilities with limited

brief needs assessment survey, which identified

resources, the Association has also increased the

what current small and mid-size members valued

frequency of free webinars, allowing members to

most about their membership and where the

participate in programming without the burden

Association could improve and expand member

of travel. NACWA’s online community, the Engage

service.

network, connects utilities to over 6,000 member

Next, the Workgroup established quarterly calls, open to all small and mid-size utilities, that address issues of importance to utilities in this demographic. These calls have addressed topics such as cyber security, state and regional advocacy best practices, opportunities and challenges regarding federal funding, and a small utility case study on the implementation of integrated

contacts within the sector to address challenges and exchange information. And, online resources such as the annual Cost of Clean Water Index, triennial Financial Survey, Congressional Toolbox, MS4 Stormwater Permitting Guide and Consent Decree Library provide invaluable support for utility operations, working with policy makers, and benchmarking performance against other utilities.

planning concepts. Calls feature both utility 25

26

From the brilliant solutions we create with our clients, to the open and inclusive culture we create for our people. From the positive difference we make in our communities, to the added value we deliver to our shareholders.

Putting our knowledge and imagination together to shape the next generation of innovative solutions – that’s Jacobs.

.

Jacobs is proud to partner with NACWA to transform the water sector through increased collaboration, new ideas and innovation.

T H E C L E A N WAT E R A D V O C AT E | W I N T E R 2 0 2 0

We congratulate NACWA on celebrating 50 years of advocacy in the clean water community.

Follow us @JacobsConnects

#whatif jacobs.com/whatif

The Engage network connects utilities to over

M E M B E R C O N TAC T S

in congressional districts across the country strengthens NACWA’s Advocacy voice and benefits the Association as a whole – both large and small

within the sector to address challenges and exchange

Celebrating the Past and Looking to

information.

the Future In this 50th Anniversary year, the Association

+ ENGAGEMENT

utilities alike.

MEMBERSHIP

6,000

Board’s vision that increasing representation

will utilize funds that have specifically been

Advancing Advocacy Priorities The Association has also engaged its small and mid-size members to assist in critical advocacy efforts, such as the recent advancement of legislation to codify EPA’s Integrated Planning Framework into law. The success of this effort was largely due to the membership engagement and outreach to congressional members by the Association’s small members.

This legislative success exemplifies the concepts of “strength in numbers” and “all for one and one for all” – and that whatever benefits small utilities may derive from NACWA, the Association is ultimately stronger and more powerful because

designated for the support of small and mid-size utility development to provide assistance for these utilities to attend NACWA’s 50th Anniversary Conference and Gala. NACWA looks forward to having these members at the celebration and recognizing them for the work that they do.

With small and mid-size utilities now making up a third of the Association’s membership and the overall membership continuing to grow, Every Utility A Member is becoming more than a lofty goal but a reality that is in our sights.

Kelly Brocato is the Senior Director of Membership Development & Retention for NACWA.

of small utility participation. It also validates the

27

C L E A N WAT E R C H A M P I O N S

28

THANK YOU TO NACWA’S 2020 ALL-CONFERENCE SPONSORS We thank you for your many contributions to the clean water community.

T H E C L E A N WAT E R A D V O C AT E | W I N T E R 2 0 2 0

C L E A N WAT E R S T E WA R D S

INTERESTED IN BECOMING AN ALL-CONFERENCE SPONSOR? Contact Kindra Hemphill, Director of Marketing and Outreach khemphill@nacwa.org 202.533.1808

C L E A N WAT E R P R OT E C TO R S

C L E A N WAT E R A L L I E S

D&B Engineers and Architects, P.C.

Do you want to have an active role in shaping the policies that will directly impact your utility?

As emerging issues arise and the landscape of clean water evolves, we are all tasked with the challenge of staying proactive and primed for the uncertainty of the future. You have the power to influence the decisions and policies that will affect your utility both now and for years to come.

As the only national association that solely represents public clean water agencies, NACWA is the collective voice of utilities from across the country. We advocate on your behalf to ensure regulators and lawmakers hear each utility’s perspective. Our members help shape national policy to benefit every community, including yours.

When you join NACWA, you are immediately connected with an unparalleled nationwide network of small, mid-size and large public utility executives to collaborate and share innovative strategies, common challenges and successful solutions.

NACWA’s members have access to the latest legislative, regulatory, legal, and communications expertise and analysis. We keep you informed of the significant shifts and developments in the sector, through online resources, interactive meetings and webinars presented by clean water thoughtleaders and experts.

F O R F I F T Y Y E A R S N AC WA H A S A D V O C AT E D O N Y O U R B E H A L F , CONSISTENTLY OFFERING A N U N M AT C H E D R E T U R N O N I N V E S T M E N T. O U R M O S T VA L U A B L E R E S O U R C E I S T H E C O L L E C T I V E I M PA C T O F O U R MEMBERS. N OW I S T H E T I M E TO L E N D YO U R VO I C E TO T H I S E F F O R T.

For more information on membership, contact Kelly Brocato, Sr. Director of Membership at kbrocato@nacwa.org or visit NACWA.org/membership