July 2026, Volume 21, Issue 4 - Members Only

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Communications Sponsors

A Message from Your Communications Committee Chair

Greetings SESWA Membership!

Thank you for joining SESWA for what I'm confident will be another outstanding year of advancing stormwater and MS4 programs through education, advocacy, networking, and the invaluable exchange of ideas among our members – all in support of improving surface water quality. 

As we close the chapter on SESWA’s 20th year and begin our 21st, I found myself reflecting on how much has changed over the past two decades, both within our profession and across the organization. One conclusion stood out clearly - SESWA has consistently remained at the forefront of the stormwater industry. Through evolving regulations, emerging technologies, and changing priorities, our organization has continued to lead by bringing professionals together to share knowledge, address challenges, and shape the future of stormwater management.  

Maintaining a place at the forefront of innovation, regulatory awareness, and peer-to-peer outreach doesn’t happen by chance. It’s the result of an engaged membership, dedicated committee volunteers, and committed Board members who share a common passion for advancing the profession. That collective commitment is what enables SESWA leadership to make informed decisions, adapt to changing needs, and ensure the organization continues to evolve alongside the industry it serves.

I'm Kevin Kubiak, the Communications Committee Chair, and as part of SESWA’s recent strategic planning efforts, you will notice ForeCast newsletters taking on a slightly different approach this year. These updates are designed to better reflect the evolving needs of our members while continuing deliver the timely, relevant information you’ve come to expect.

One of the additions you’ll see throughout the year is our new Committee Chair Corner, where you’ll have the opportunity to meet each of SESWA’s committee chairs and learn more about the work happening behind the scenes. It's both an honor and fitting opportunity to introduce myself in the inaugural edition. 

During the past decade that I’ve served on – and now chair – the Communications Committee, I’ve watched the way we communicate continue to evolve. When I first joined, the Community Forum consisted of only a handful of discussion topics, and networking meetings were held through bimonthly conference calls where members dialed in from their desk phones. Through all of these changes, the ForeCast Newsletter has remained the cornerstone of our committee’s efforts, consistently providing valuable information and maintaining a strong readership. While its’ appearance has been refreshed from time to time, its purpose has remained the same: connecting members with information that helps them succeed. 

This year you’ll notice a few new features that will continue to roll out over time.  We have also developed a rotating editorial calendar to better align newsletter content with seasonal priorities and industry events. You’ll see articles tied to topics such as Erosion and Sediment Control (ESC), Stormwater Awareness Week, Severe Weather Preparedness Week, hurricane season, drought response, and many of the other issues our member organizations face throughout the year. Our goal is to provide information that is not only interesting, but useful when you need it most. 

Our bimonthly call, now held on Zoom, continues to serve as an important source of ideas, regulatory updates, member success stories, and article development for the ForeCast. Whether we're highlighting innovative public outreach efforts, discussing emerging regulations, or sharing lessons learned across the region, our objective remains the same: delivering timely, practical information that supports your work.

Our Community Forum also continues to grow, and as I often remind our Communications Committee, "The Forum is only as valuable as we make it." I encourage you to log in, ask a question, share a resource, or contribute to an ongoing discussion. What began with only a handful of conversations has grown to more than 150 discussion topics and approximately 350 posts. That's meaningful progress for a member-driven resource, but together we can build it into an even more valuable library of knowledge for stormwater professionals throughout the Southeast.

Above all, the Communications Committee remains committed to ensuring SESWA members have access to relevant information, practical resources, and meaningful opportunities to connect as our profession continues to evolve. If you have ideas for newsletter topics, suggestions for improving our communications, or questions about getting involved, I'd be happy to hear from you. I also encourage you to consider joining a SESWA committee when volunteer opportunities are announced. It’s one of the best ways to contribute to the organization, build professional relationships, and stay informed on the issues shaping stormwater management across our region.

Thank you for allowing me the honor to serve as your Communications Committee Chair. I hope you enjoy this edition of the newsletter, and I look forward to another year of learning, collaborating, and growing together. 

Until next time,

Kevin Kubiak
SESWA Communications Committee Chair
Stantec Consulting Services

Back to the top

Charting the Course to the 21st SESWA Annual Regional Stormwater Conference

The countdown is on for SESWA’s 21st Annual SESWA Regional Stormwater Conference in beautiful Point Clear, Alabama - where the Southeast’s stormwater community comes together to learn, connect, and lead the future of the industry. 

Kick off the week with Wednesday’s highly anticipated Pre-conference Workshop: Leveraging AI and Emerging Technologies for Smarter Infrastructure and Compliance. Discover how artificial intelligence and emerging tools are transforming stormwater management, improving compliance, and helping organizations work more efficiently. 

Then dive into two days of expert-led educational sessions covering today’s most important stormwater challenges – from regulatory updates and resilience strategies to innovative technologies and real-world case studies. Along the way you’ll build valuable connections with peers, industry leaders, and solution providers from across the region.

Whether you’re looking for practical solutions, fresh ideas, or meaningful networking opportunities, this is the conference you won’t want to miss. Register today and be part of the conversations shaping the future of stormwater management! 

Back to the top

You're Part of What Makes SESWA Strong

SESWA isn't just an association, it's a community of more than 1,500 stormwater professionals committed to protecting water quality across the Southeast. Every member contributes to that mission by sharing knowledge, mentoring colleagues, serving on committees, presenting at conferences, and helping advance the profession. 

When you renew your membership, you're not simply maintaining access to benefits, you're continuing to invest in a network that supports your career, strengthens your organization, and gives our industry a stronger collective voice. Whether you turn to SESWA for technical guidance, continuing education, regulatory updates, or trusted peer connections, your membership ensures you're never tackling stormwater challenges alone.

The new membership year began on July 1st, but if your organization hasn't renewed yet, it's not too late. Your membership remains active through the July 31st grace period, giving you time to renew and continue enjoying uninterrupted access to all the benefits of membership.

Thank you for being an important part of the SESWA community. Renewal information was sent to your organization's primary contact. If you have any questions or need assistance, contact us anytime at [email protected], we're always happy to help.

Back to the top

Show Off Your Stormwater Success! Enter the 2026 SESWA Stormwater Photo Contest

Have a great photo of an innovative stormwater project, successful outreach program, or impressive field work? Share it in the 2026 SESWA Stormwater Photo Contest!

This is your chance to highlight the impactful work happening across the Southeast. Winning photos will be featured on the SESWA homepage for an entire year, and additional submissions may be showcased throughout the SESWA website and other communications.

Don't miss the deadline—submit your photos by August 14, 2026, and help celebrate the creativity, innovation, and dedication of the stormwater community!

2025 SESWA Stormwater Photo Contest Winners

Back to the top

Catch the Replay of SESWA's July Webinar!

Thank you to Wallace Arnold (City of Chamblee, GA) for presenting on SESWA's Approach & Adaptation: Structuring Asset Management for MS4s Webinar! Attendees learned how an asset-based approach can help MS4s provide the consistency and detail needed to identify the weak points of an aging system or help justify funding increases to skeptical leadership.

Did you miss the live webinar? You can watch the recording and view the presentation at your convenience. Please note that continuing education credit is only available for those who attended the live webinar.

This webinar was brought to you for FREE thanks to SESWA’s 2026-27 Communications Sponsors! 

Back to the top

SESWA Community Forum - Join the Conversation

SESWA is committed to being a trusted resource and maintaining open channels of communication. As a member of SESWA you have access to an online Community Forum to post questions, share information, and discuss emerging issues with your peers throughout the Southeast! Visit the Forum today and be sure to subscribe to the topics that interest YOU! 

Here's the latest from the Forum: 

Stormwater Emergency Response Procedure
Joshua Rogers, City of Chattanooga, TN
Emergency response procedures are a part of MS4 permit compliance associated with IDDE. First responders are typically first to an accident/spill and should have access to an MS4 drainage map to help determine if there is a potential stream impact. They are also typically trained in how to deploy BMPs to capture, stop, or slow down a discharge.

How is your stormwater program involved, if at all, in this process? Do you help with the immediate clean up efforts? Do you go to the active incident site to evaluate and document it yourself? Do you only go after cleanup has occurred to determine if it was done correctly? Do you just review the documentation submitted by your fire department?
Post Reply

Defining Outfalls
John Butler, Gwinnett County, GA
Some recent discussions have revealed, yet again, that something as simple as a stormwater outfall can be very hard to define. Rather, the definition can be hard to interpret! Then, there are different definitions in different states. It's one thing to talk about a pipe, or even a ditch, discharging to water of the state, but is it MS4?

There is also the fact that dry weather screening at outfalls doesn't seem to reveal illicit discharges very often. So, is there really a benefit to a broad interpretation of the outfall definition?
Post Reply

Hurricane Season
Diane Morrill-Murphy, SESWA
Hurricane season starts on June 1st. The last few years have seen an increase in impact on both coastal and inland communities. What is your community doing to prepare for this year?
Post Reply

Back to the top

Continued Changes Potentially Delay Final WOTUS Rule
Kevin Coyne, SESWA

The White House Office of Budget and Management (OMB) has been reviewing the 2025 Waters of the United States (WOTUS) Rule, a process that is typically the final step in the long journey of developing or updating a federal regulation. Recent reports, however, indicate that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) submitted revisions to OMB after its initial review. The reported revisions focus on the wet season test, which was a controversial piece of the proposed 2025 WOTUS Rule.

During the rulemaking process, EPA received feedback from a wide range of stakeholders, including industry representatives, state and local governments, and environmental organizations, which expressed concerns that the wet season test could create uncertainty in how the rule would be interpreted and implemented. Many think this feedback persuaded EPA to update the rule, even after it had already been submitted to OMB. 

The proposed revisions were submitted at the end of June 2026. It remains unclear how these changes could impact the rulemaking timeline, but any substantive revision could result in additional delays before the rule is finalized. 

SESWA will continue to monitor the progress of the WOTUS Rule and keep members informed of any significant developments, including publication of a final rule or any additional opportunities to review and comment on revisions.

Back to the top

EPA Initiates (Then Walks Back) Efforts to Address Microplastics Pollution
Kevin Coyne, SESWA

Researchers – including several who have presented at SESWA conferences and seminars – have documented the widespread presences of plastics, including microplastics, throughout our nation’s waters, from rivers, lakes, and groundwater to the coastal waters and the ocean. As research continues to reveal the extent of plastic pollution, more attention is being focused on its potential impacts on both environmental and human health.

In April, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), following strong advocacy from Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative, announced that microplastics would be included as a priority contaminant group in the agency’s draft Sixth Contaminant Candidate List (CCL 6). The announcement was viewed by many as a significant step toward addressing a growing environmental concern, even though translating that priority into enforceable regulations would be a complex and lengthy process involving monitoring requirements, scientific evaluation, and eventual permitting considerations. 

Environmental organizations, public health advocates, and other stakeholders welcomed the decision as meaningful progress toward developing a national strategy for addressing microplastics. A critical next step, however, would have been EPA’s inclusion of microplastics in its Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR), which requires public water systems to monitor for contaminants that may warrant future regulations.

When EPA released the latest UCMR on June 26, 2026, microplastics were notably absent from the list of contaminants to be monitored. That exclusion will likely further delay any true regulatory action by EPA. As a result, many of those applauding EPA’s April announcement are now questioning how momentum can be regained and what next steps will be necessary to advance efforts to address microplastics pollution. 

Back to the top

Data Centers Stir Controversy Throughout the SESWA Region
Kevin Coyne, SESWA

Innovation, innovation, and more innovation seem to be driving just about everything in our lives today. The capacity for computers to address so many different areas, including our world of stormwater management, is just amazing. There are many stories of local governments harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist with important activities like asset management or project prioritization, and we are seeing this firsthand as presenters tell their stories at SESWA events. 

The increase in innovation does come with some challenges, including having the data capability and capacity to run these more advanced applications in record breaking speeds. The answer has been the development of large-scale data centers, often referred to as “hyperscale data centers,” which are extremely large facilities capable of housing thousands of servers to support these innovative technologies. While any large facility can impact stormwater runoff, hyperscale data centers bring additional challenges, including the need for around the clock power, creating a host of potential impacts ranging from heat generation to air quality emissions. Cooling the servers and supporting infrastructure typically requires significant amounts of water, raising questions about water use. Even when closed loop systems are employed, the demand for water resources during a time when many parts of the Southeast are experiencing drought conditions remains a concern. The list of issues continues to grow, with many of them being raised by community members located near proposed facilities. Social media platforms have become key forums where residents share information, voice concerns, and organize opposition.

While much of the discussion focuses on potential drawbacks, it is also important to consider the benefits many communities see when a large-scale data center is proposed. From creating new jobs and increasing tax revenue to spurring economic growth, many areas of the country have experienced positive impacts from these facilities. The federal government has supported expanding data center development to increase the nation’s AI capabilities and has proposed streamlining regulatory processes to encourage data center investment and development. Some states, like Virginia, have welcomed the economic benefits of data centers, with the area near Washington D.C. becoming known as “Data Center Alley.” 

As community members raise concerns, we are seeing more and more local, and now state, governments starting to implement rules and policies to further regulate the development of hyperscale data centers. While outside of the SESWA region, the state of New York has become the first to implement a statewide one-year moratorium on hyperscale data center development. In the SESWA region, Florida passed legislation during the 2026 Legislative Session that requires stricter permitting reviews by state regulatory agencies, allows increased control by local governments, and regulates the cost to consumers when a new data center is built and power demand increases. Beyond the state level, we are seeing many local governments, from rural areas to urban, proposing bans or increasing scrutiny on hyperscale data center development.

One might ask why include an article about this for a stormwater newsletter in the Southeast, don’t we have enough to deal with already! The answer is yes, we do, but the conversations about hyperscale datacenters cross many boundaries for those working in the water sector. While stormwater may be lower on the list of concerns, any facility that could impact water usage or have discharges to jurisdictional waters will bring us closer to the discussion. As widespread community concerns increase, our need to be aware and knowledgeable is critical. Concerns over these new data centers vary state by state, in Florida we are seeing significant push back, from both local and state government, yet other states are more welcoming (yet still asking some tough questions on environmental impacts) so there is not one answer to all these issues. We can learn from each other, share information (please consider the Community Forum when you have questions or have an experience you want to share), and find support when we are working on something new. 

Back to the top

Stormwater Awareness Week in Your Community
Rachael Osborne, Columbia County, GA

Stormwater Awareness Week (SWAW) is coming this September 21-25th. Originally started in California during 2012, this campaign has gained momentum both nationally and internationally. SWAW is an opportunity to celebrate stormwater in your community. How will you celebrate? 

Engage with your community on social media. Create a video about pollution prevention or post an eye-catching picture with basic information and links to helpful resources.

Host a stormwater art event. Offer a water-themed art and craft station at your local park or nature center. You could even engage in a school art class!

Schedule a hands-on event. Get your community involved! Host a stream clean up or a workshop to create and install a rain barrel on their property. 

Maybe you have your own idea for recognizing Stormwater Awareness Week this year. We can always learn from each other to help improve our own programs. Share your ideas on the SESWA Community Forum.

The Southeast Stormwater Association is full of creative and impactful leaders in the stormwater industry. We can embrace this opportunity to put a spotlight on stormwater education in the Southeast. Whether you start small this year to build on next year or go all in with a robust campaign now, your words and actions during the 2026 SWAW can make a big difference in protecting stormwater quality in your watersheds!

Back to the top

Good Housekeeping During Event Season
Madison Smith, City of Lawrenceville, GA

If you're a stormwater professional attending a local festival, fair, or market, I bet one of the first things you notice is the potential for stormwater pollution. I know I do.

That curiosity led me to volunteer at City events to better understand their logistics and interactions with the stormwater system. What I observed was eye-opening: litter missing trash receptacles, grease being disposed of improperly, and few measures in place to prevent pollutant discharges.

Recognizing an opportunity to strengthen both environmental protection and permit compliance, I partnered with the Events Department at the City of Lawrenceville, Georgia to develop practical good-housekeeping measures that support stormwater goals while enhancing the experience for attendees and vendors.

Today, we have implemented spill response procedures, strategically placed spill kits, and disposal containers, and provided employee training to ensure event staff understand how to identify, contain, and report spills. We also require secondary containment for grease collection containers used by food vendors and provide stormwater awareness education to vendors before events.

These relatively simple improvements have reduced pollution risks and increased awareness among staff and vendors alike. City events present a valuable opportunity to protect water quality through proactive planning and education.

What stormwater pollution prevention measures have you implemented at your community events?

Back to the top

Oil and Water and Poo Toss Activities
Jeanne Barnes, Jefferson County, AL

On July 10th, staff from Jefferson County Alabama’s Stormwater Division engaged children attending Camp Fletcher in Bessemer, Alabama. Campers at Jefferson County Commission's station played two games, each teaching lessons about non-point source pollution. First, campers participated in “Oil and Water Don't Mix,” an activity where they drew aquatic animals with white crayons on white paper. After drawing, campers saw their seemingly invisible drawings come to life when their papers were dipped in watercolors. The hydrophobic crayon repelled the watercolor, leaving white drawings exposed against colorful backgrounds and teaching children about properties of oily substances that make them potentially harmful pollutants to aquatic life. Second, campers played the “Poo Toss Game.” As part of the game, participants raced to pick up “dog poop” (poop emoji stress relievers) and tossed them in the place they are supposed to go (a trash can!). This activity emphasized the negative impact that pet waste can have on the environment and provided campers with a solution they can implement in their own lives (pick up pet waste with a bag and throw it away). The hope is that these games resonated with campers, encouraging them to adopt responsible behaviors that help water quality.

Back to the top

Teaching Erosion Control
John Butler, Gwinnett County, GA

For many of us, when we think of “erosion control” we think of Erosion and Sediment Control and NPDES permits. However, when our citizens think of “erosion control” they just think about their yards washing away every time it rains. There are plenty of simple techniques that we can teach residents to help them control erosion in their yards, but if you don't have a workshop or a place to do a small demonstration, teaching any of these tactics can be hard. 

In Gwinnett County, Georgia, we are partnering with our Parks Department to find situations of erosion analogous to what you would find on a residential property and using that to teach DIY erosion control. We have a workshop titled “Washed Away - Drainage, Erosion, and Waterways” that takes attendees on a walk through a local park. We stop to look at stormwater drains and ditches, a small stream with an established restoration project stabilizing the banks, native plants in green infrastructure, and typical erosion challenges. 

Participants leave the workshop with the basic knowledge needed to get started with erosion control on their property and a handout including a list of plants and tools to use. This is another resource we can provide our residents (and stormwater utility rate payers) and it helps reduce sedimentation coming from post-construction properties. It's a true win-win situation and the park has an erosion problem patched up in the process!

Back to the top

Over the course of the coming year, the Stormwater Policy Committee hopes to provide insights on the benefits and barriers of green infrastructure. Stormwater management has transformed over the last 50 years from a simple mission to move water away from streets and buildings into an integrated, resilience-focused practice that looks to mimic nature to improve water quality, restore ecosystems, and reduce risk. Our SESWA mission is to support our members in advancing this approach. 

Advancing GI in the Southeast: Consistency Meets Creativity in Georgia
Reported by Cory Rayburn, Jacobs
SESWA Stormwater Policy Committee Member

The current state of green infrastructure (GI) in Georgia can be summed up in two words: Consistency and Creativity. The need for both consistency and creativity may seem contradictory; however, we’ll explore this dynamic in this month’s Stormwater Policy Committee Spotlight.

Brief History of GI in Georgia
Green infrastructure practices in Georgia have been around in some form or fashion for decades. Bioretention practices were used in the 2000s to meet water quality requirements. Early adopters like the City of Atlanta teed up the widespread use of GI in runoff reduction standards starting in 2013. Updates to MS4 permits in the late 2010s and early 2020s led to the state-wide implementation of GI standards in both development sites and linear transportation projects. One would think that with this many years of practice, Georgia would have GI nailed down…which leads us to our first word of the day. 

Consistency
Most stormwater practitioners in Georgia agree that we could use a bit more consistency when it comes to design, plan review, feasibility criteria, construction means and methods, materials, and maintenance of GI. Some of these challenges are rooted in the nuanced nature of green infrastructure. It’s different. Many practices rely on plants and soils and paying attention to construction sequencing and sedimentation sources and NOT compacting the underlying soils. It’s a lot! There’s also no singular magic GI practice that can be used on every site. In fact, the Georgia Stormwater Management Manual lists 16 different ways to partially or fully meet runoff reduction standards. Establishing consistency for a stormwater solution that has 16 different varieties takes a village.

Recently, the Council for Quality Growth, which represents the development community, and the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District, a regional water planning district, joined forces to make stormwater better in Georgia. A common theme from these meetings is that we need more consistency in GI implementation…on all fronts. For the development community, this will save time and money in the permitting process. For cities, counties, and property owners, this will mean better functioning practices and fewer maintenance headaches. One way of establishing consistency is training. 

Georgia has seen remarkable progress in managing erosion by requiring training and certification for anyone working in the construction, inspection, design, or plan review field. A similar certification for stormwater practitioners that is tied to Georgia soils, topography, development trends, and standards would be extremely helpful in establishing consistent results from GI. We have the framework for statewide education standards…they just need to be updated to include GI. 

In the meantime, regular workshops that focus on specific practices (bioretention, permeable pavements, or unique applications like green roofs or rainwater harvesting) can help bring to light some shared solutions, highlight pitfalls, and encourage the consistent enforcement of these standards. With 16 different options for managing runoff with GI, one would think that meeting runoff reduction standards on a proposed site is a piece of cake…which leads us to the second word of the day.

Creativity
It’s not like civil engineers aren’t creative. We are problem solvers. We also like formulas, standards, and nice spreadsheets. What we need to recognize is that some GI solutions may be outside our wheelhouse. Having the right team of professionals involved can both encourage creative GI solutions and mitigate construction and maintenance challenges that tend to give GI a bad name. 

The creative (and fun) part of site design is that literally every surface can be one of those 16 GI practices. Parking lots can be permeable. Landscaping can be bioretention. Ditches can be enhanced swales. Roofs can be planted with succulents or funnel water to cisterns for use in cooling towers or to flush toilets. Even with zero infiltration on a site, a design team can still integrate successful GI solutions. Bringing in the appropriate specialists (structural, MEP, Landscape Architects, etc.) early on can help spur creative solutions. 

Many cities in Georgia are embracing the collaborative and creative nature of GI when dealing with both site- and neighborhood-scale water quality and flooding challenges. When done well, these strategies can lead to renewed economic growth as well as a truly integrated approach to managing polluted runoff. 

Next Steps for GI in Georgia 
Delivering successful GI solutions in Georgia takes a consistent understanding of GI design, review, construction, and maintenance and oftentimes a creative, multidisciplinary approach. Continuing conversations, sharing ideas, highlighting successes (and failures), developing training, and encouraging creative solutions will help take Georgia to the next level of GI implementation.

Back to the top

NACWA Corner

Senate Committee Advances Bipartisan Water Infrastructure Legislation with Key Stormwater Priorities

The Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee recently unanimously approved the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2026, advancing a major water infrastructure package that reauthorizes numerous EPA drinking water and clean water programs set to expire at the end of Fiscal Year 2026. The legislation represents one of Congress's most significant efforts this year to provide long-term certainty for federal water infrastructure programs and funding.

For stormwater utilities, the bill includes several notable provisions. Most significantly, it reauthorizes the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grants Program at $280 million annually for Fiscal Years 2027 through 2030, providing continued federal support for projects that address stormwater runoff, combined sewer overflows, water quality improvements, and community resilience. 

The legislation also reauthorizes the Centers of Excellence for Stormwater Control Infrastructure Technologies at $5 million annually through Fiscal Year 2030, supporting research, innovation, and the deployment of advanced stormwater management practices and technologies.

Beyond these stormwater-specific provisions, the legislation would increase the authorization level for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) to $3.5 billion annually through 2030, while expanding eligible uses to include capital investments that facilitate the assessment and monitoring of emerging contaminants such as PFAS. 

The bill would also reauthorize the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program at $65 million annually through 2030, helping communities leverage low-cost financing for large-scale water infrastructure projects.

Additional clean water programs included in the legislation are:

• Alternative Water Source Projects Grant Program – $5 million annually through FY 2030.
• Innovative Water Infrastructure Workforce Development Program – $15 million annually through FY 2030, with a new emphasis on supporting small and rural communities.
• Enhanced Aquifer Use and Recharge Program – $5 million annually through FY 2030.
• Save Our Seas 2.0 Act programs – Reauthorizing initiatives aimed at reducing plastic pollution, including water infrastructure and Trash Free Waters grant programs.
• National Estuary Program – $50 million annually through FY 2030.
• Several other geographically focused watershed restoration programs, including the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, Long Island Sound, Lake Champlain, and Columbia River Basin programs.

The bill also establishes a new EPA program, authorized at $10 million annually through FY 2030, to support utility participation in the Water Information Sharing and Analysis Center (WaterISAC) and strengthen cybersecurity coordination across the water sector. The program would help utilities access critical threat information, resources, and technical support as cyber risks to water infrastructure continue to grow.

The Senate EPW Committee's unanimous bipartisan approval is a significant step forward for the water sector and reflects broad congressional support for maintaining and expanding federal investments in water infrastructure. As negotiations continue between the House and Senate, the EPW bill is expected to serve as the foundation for final water infrastructure reauthorization legislation later this Congress. The text of the package can be found here.

Please contact Matthew McKenna, NACWA’s Director of Government Affairs, with questions.

Don't see news from your state?

Please contact us with your news or share your comments on our newsletter by emailing us at [email protected].