May 2025, Volume 20, Issue 3

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Communications Sponsors

President's Corner

Spring is a special time of year for SESWA and the stormwater industry. As the public education and involvement teams conclude a busy season filled with outdoor events, stream cleanups, and volunteer coordination, maintenance and inspection crews are navigating the challenges posed by April showers – perhaps with a few May flowers on the horizon. Meanwhile, planners and engineers are preparing for what we hope will be a mild summer, characterized by fewer major storms than we have experienced in recent years.

When your workload allows, consider implementing some of the strategies we talk about to protect water quality, essentially, a “practice what you preach” approach to stormwater management. Why not adopt a new habit like washing the car over the grass or start a new project like installing a rain barrel or building a rain garden? Additionally, before finalizing that contract with your landscaper for lawn fertilization, consider conducting a soil test to ensure the best outcomes. This proactive mindset can also extend to our work. Perhaps you could start a new program inspired by the invaluable amazing lessons learned at a recent SESWA event! Embracing these practices not only enhances our commitment to water quality but also fosters a culture of sustainability within our communities.

We just wrapped up two such events: the Spring Seminar and the State Spotlight webinar. These sessions provided an impressive one-two punch of content designed to benefit our membership. Our presenters demonstrated, yet again, how to turn a challenge into an opportunity and turn setbacks into progress. These examples embody the real value of your SESWA membership: learning from your peers, leveraging your network, and moving your community forward. The next opportunities are just around the corner with the July webinar and the Annual Conference in October.

We are thrilled to announce that registration is now open for the 20th Annual Regional Stormwater Conference, taking place in Hilton Head, SC from October 1-3, 2025. The agenda is packed with innovative ideas, valuable opportunities, and insightful case studies aimed at helping you advance stormwater management in your community. Join us early for the Service Project and Pre-Conference sessions, celebrate SESWA’s 20th Anniversary, and learn, network, and grow at our largest event of the year! We look forward to welcoming you for a memorable and valuable conference experience!

Thanks to each of you for your contributions to SESWA and for putting words into action by setting the example in your communities to protect water quality throughout the Southeast!

John Butler
SESWA President
Gwinnett County, GA

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Renew Your Membership Early - Celebrate 20 Years of SESWA with Us!

Renew your SESWA membership today and be part of a milestone year! SESWA is proudly celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2025 and we’re excited to announce that we’ve reached record membership numbers (226 organizations representing over 1,700 individuals) thanks to your continued support. Renewing your organization’s 2025-26 membership (July-June) has never been easier. Your organization’s primary contact received an email on May 1st with an invoice link to renew. Simply click the link to pay online or download a copy of the invoice to pay by check. Paper invoices were also mailed to your primary contact’s address. If you didn’t receive a notice or aren’t sure who your organization’s primary contact is, contact SESWA, we’re happy to help! Renew your organization’s membership before June 30th so you don’t miss out on SESWA’s valuable member benefits, including this newsletter and all the resources that come with being part of a growing, thriving community.

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SESWA 20th Annual Regional Stormwater Conference - Register Today!

This year marks a major milestone, 20 years of the Southeast Stormwater Association (SESWA) bringing together professionals dedicated to protecting and improving water quality across the Southeast. We're celebrating two decades of education, innovation, and collaboration at our 20th Annual Regional Stormwater Conference, and we want YOU to be part of it! For 20 years, SESWA has served as the region’s trusted voice for stormwater management, advocating for sound policy, delivering practical education, and building a network of professionals working to make a difference. Join us this October in beautiful Hilton Head Island, SC to commemorate this legacy and look ahead to the future of stormwater solutions. This is not just any conference, it is the only regional event entirely focused on stormwater solutions for both public and private sector professionals across the Southeast. Visit the conference website to register today!

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2025 SESWA Photo Contest - Enter for a Chance to be on SESWA's Homepage!

The 2025 SESWA Stormwater Photo Contest is now open to members from across the Southeast! SESWA is looking for photos that show your newest stormwater projects and programs. Winning photos will be featured on SESWA's Homepage for one year. Other photos from around the Southeast will be featured throughout the website. The deadline to submit your photos is June 13, 2025. We look forward to seeing your creativity and innovation!

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A Look Back at the SESWA Seminar

SESWA’s 20th Annual Regional Stormwater Seminar was held April 25, 2025 and focused on Bringing Back the Green in Stormwater Management Systems. The Seminar brought together over 160 stormwater professionals from across the Southeast as participants discussed innovation in the stormwater management sector and new techniques and approaches to address the dynamic nature of treating stormwater. The Seminar showcased real world project examples and explored lessons learned from implementing stormwater projects focused on natural solutions vs. hard infrastructure. SESWA would like to thank all that participated – especially our Seminar Sponsors.

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Service Project Success

On April 24th, SESWA sent 13 volunteers along with staff from the City of Dunwoody, GA to place metal markers on area storm drains and place door hangers on the residences nearby to educate the local community about the purpose of the stormwater drainage system and how each of us can protect water quality by preventing discharges to the drainage system. In all, 29 storm drains were marked and 135 door hangers were placed on homes with this valuable information. This compliments the City’s already successful and comprehensive campaign to mark storm drains that have been mostly completed by Scouting groups. This effort with SESWA’s stormwater professionals served to reach parts of the community and the drainage system that is not safe for the younger Scouts to access due to traffic, but that represents a typical working environment for stormwater professionals. In this way, the partnership was a huge success and helped to strengthen the City’s commitment to protecting water quality. SESWA would like to thank the City of Dunwoody, GA and John Butler with Gwinnett County, GA for their leadership on this project.

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2025 SESWA Stormwater Utility Report Now Available

SESWA's 2025 Stormwater Utility Report was published in April 2025 and a complimentary copy of the Report was provided to current SESWA member contacts as well as non-members who participated in the Survey. The Report provides easy access to questions concerning stormwater utility rates, structure, billing methods, and many other related practices throughout the Southeast. SESWA members can access the digital report at no cost via the Report link above. Non-members can purchase digital access to the Report for $50 by completing an order form. SESWA would like to thank our generous Stormwater Utility Report sponsors – Ardurra, Bolton & Menk, CDM Smith, Geosyntec Consultants, McAdams and Rymar Waterworks.

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State Spotlight Webinar - There is Still Time!

Did you miss SESWA’s Spotlight Webinar Maximizing Value of Disaster Recovery Efforts: How to Turn Natural Disaster Pain into Resiliency Gain? Good news! SESWA members can view the webinar presentation and recording online at no cost. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your understanding and strategies for effective disaster recovery!

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Upcoming Webinar: Reaching Beyond Residents – Smarter Public Education for Your MS4
July 10, 2025 | 10:30 – 11:30 AM Eastern
Online | Free for SESWA Members
Register Now

Public education and outreach are key components of any MS4 program, but the focus is often placed almost entirely on residential audiences. While important, residents may not actually represent the greatest risk to your stormwater system. With limited staff, time, and resources, it’s critical to ensure your outreach efforts are strategic, effective, and aligned with your permit requirements. In this upcoming webinar, we’ll explore how to broaden your approach to MS4 education by identifying and reaching higher-risk audiences that are often overlooked. You’ll learn how everyday activities like inspections, permitting, and even your own internal communications can be leveraged as educational opportunities. The session will also cover how to incorporate both active and passive education strategies into your program and how to document those efforts effectively for compliance and reporting purposes. Whether you're looking to strengthen your existing program or find creative ways to meet outreach requirements with your current resources, this webinar will offer practical insights you can put to use right away. Join us and discover how to make smarter, more impactful public education a seamless part of your MS4 strategy. The webinar will be free to SESWA members, thanks to our 2025-2026 Communications Sponsors.

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WOTUS Listening Sessions
Kevin Coyne, SESWA

In March 2025, federal wetland regulators announced revised language and guidance on wetlands identification for federal permitting oversight. The announcement included a joint memorandum released by the EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, stating both federal agencies wanted to provide guidance to field staff on the implementation of “continuous surface connection” as outlined in the 2023 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency. To facilitate this guidance, federal regulators began hosting outreach sessions in April, with additional sessions planned for May and potentially extending into the summer. These sessions have focused on various stakeholders, including state regulators, industry representatives, and environmental organizations, and are now fully open to the public. During these sessions, presenters have requested specific information on three key areas of the new language, asking for input on the “relatively permanent waterbody” definition, the scope and definition of continuous surface connections, and the scope and definition of jurisdictional ditches. Federal regulators have received thousands of comments, which are all posted on the Regulations.gov website, and they continue to accept comments during the listening sessions. Federal presenters have assured participants that they will review and consider all comments as they finalize the rule language.

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PFAS Drinking Water Standards Updates
Kevin Coyne, SESWA

The regulation of “Forever Chemicals,” Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), has been in development for many years, including efforts by the previous federal administration to adopt Safe Drinking Water Standards for a range of chemicals that were deemed significant contributors to water pollution in the United States. On May 14th, the EPA announced significant changes to the previous administration’s approach, specifically revising the regulations concerning six PFAS chemicals under the Primary National Drinking Water Standards. In the first iteration of the standards EPA has removed four chemicals from the drinking water standards list: PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA-GenX, and the Hazard Index mixture of these three plus PFBS. However, it has retained maximum contaminant levels for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS). A component of this new regulatory framework includes more outreach and education efforts by federal regulators, along with further exemptions for small communities struggling to reach regulatory standards. EPA has created the PFAS OUTreach Initiative (PFAS OUT), which will be the outreach arm of this new initiative. SESWA will continue to engage with EPA as this program evolves, ensuring that stakeholders are informed and involved in the ongoing regulatory process.

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Trust Issues?
John Butler, Gwinnett County, GA

There is truly an endless array of potential partners eager to collaborate with stormwater programs on educational programs and volunteer activities. While some partners may be hard to find, others are low hanging fruit. Land Trust organizations, for instance, represent a valuable yet often unfamiliar resource.

In Gwinnett County, GA a successful partnership has blossomed between the County’s Water Resources Department and the Georgia Piedmont Land Trust. Since 2023, this partnership has resulted in nine events, engaging nearly 200 volunteers. Together, they have collected over 650 bags of trash, weighing more than 14,000 pounds, and cleared approximately 2.5 acres of invasive privet. This partnership has provided the nonprofit Land Trust with an estimated $128,000 worth of labor, while also offering the County’s Water Resources Department multiple opportunities to connect with the public and meet MS4 compliance requirements.

There is likely a Land Trust near you that you can work with. The National Land Trust Alliance, along with its Southeast Regional Program, features a comprehensive list of member organizations. Take some time to trust this article and take a look for yourself. Your newest partner could be just a click away!

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NACWA Corner

President's FY26 "Skinny" Budget Proposes Dramatic Cuts to Water Infrastructure Programs

Sweeping reductions to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and deep cuts to core water infrastructure programs included in President Trump’s FY 2026 “skinny” budget proposal have sparked sharp bipartisan concern on Capitol Hill. Most notably, the administration’s plan to slash funding for the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (SRFs) by nearly $2.5 billion—representing an almost 90 percent reduction from FY 2025 levels—has drawn significant criticism.

The proposed cuts have raised alarm across the water sector, particularly among public wastewater and stormwater management agencies that rely on SRF financing to support essential infrastructure upgrades, compliance with Clean Water Act requirements, and local environmental protection. Stormwater utilities—often underfunded and operating without dedicated rate structures—are especially vulnerable, as the SRFs are one of the few federal sources available to support investments in flood mitigation, resilience, and green infrastructure.

The White House has justified the reductions by arguing that states should shoulder more responsibility for water infrastructure financing and labeling the SRFs a federal “crutch.” However, lawmakers from both parties are pushing back. A series of appropriations hearings this month has shown strong bipartisan interest in protecting SRF funding.

At a May 14th Senate Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee budget hearing with EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, Chairwoman Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and other Senators voiced opposition to the drastic funding reductions. The following day, House Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee leaders—Chairman Mike Simpson (R-Idaho) and Ranking Member Chellie Pingree (D-Maine)—echoed these concerns, questioning how EPA could fulfill even its basic statutory obligations with such steep budget and staffing cuts.

Beyond Congress, state environmental regulators—both Republican and Democratic—have issued warnings that the proposed rollback would halt thousands of water infrastructure projects nationwide, drive up local costs, and weaken progress on regulatory compliance and water quality goals. Critics also note that rural and economically disadvantaged communities, which often lack technical capacity and financial flexibility, would be disproportionately impacted by the cuts. The proposal’s broader 55 percent reduction to EPA’s budget would also threaten environmental research, enforcement, and the Agency’s ability to respond to emerging contaminants like PFAS.

For stormwater agencies, the implications are particularly severe. Many communities are grappling with growing stormwater runoff, climate-driven flooding, and aging drainage infrastructure. The SRFs have become increasingly critical to supporting stormwater projects—especially as communities work to integrate nature-based solutions and build climate resilience. A sharp funding reduction would significantly hinder progress, potentially delaying or canceling shovel-ready projects that are vital for public safety and environmental protection.

While bipartisan resistance in Congress is encouraging, congressional leaders remain under pressure to reduce overall federal spending and align with the President’s budget priorities. Lawmakers have emphasized that gutting EPA’s programs risks public health, environmental integrity, and local economic development, but it remains unclear how forcefully they will reject the Administration’s proposed cuts during the appropriations process.

In parallel with the budget debate, Congress is also weighing a reconciliation bill that advances key Trump Administration priorities—including extensions of the 2017 tax cuts, elimination of taxes on tips, and increased border security funding. To pay for these provisions, the reconciliation bill proposes roughly $1.5 trillion in cuts to mandatory spending programs such as Medicaid and SNAP.

Internal divisions among House Republicans—particularly over the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction cap and the scale of proposed spending reductions—have complicated the bill’s progress. For now, proposals to target tax-exempt municipal bonds—a critical financing tool for water and stormwater infrastructure—do not appear to be included in the package, though sector stakeholders remain vigilant for any changes.

As budget negotiations continue, it is essential that water and stormwater utilities across the country remain engaged and communicate directly with their congressional delegations. Without robust federal support, the ability of local communities to maintain clean water services, prepare for climate impacts, and meet regulatory obligations will be severely compromised.

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

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