The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) are seeking proposals for projects that will reduce nonpoint source pollution. Funding for selected projects will be provided by the Federal Clean Water Act Section 319 grant funds. Nonpoint source water pollution is caused by agricultural and forestry practices, urban and suburban … Read more
President Barack Obama signed the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA) into law in early June. It’s the first water resources bill to be approved since 2007. Here are some highlights of the WRRDA legislation: Provides funding for rural communities to comply with federal regulations. Establishes hard deadlines on the time and cost of … Read more
After six months of conference committee discussions, the U.S. House and Senate conferees have reached an agreement on the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA). The $8.2 billion WRRDA bill could be voted on by the full Senate and House as early as the week of May 19, 2014. If approved by both chambers … Read more
Federal water quality standards have resulted in an increasing emphasis on the way communities deal with stormwater. More and more every day, municipalities are faced with revenue requirements for stormwater that are becoming similar to water or wastewater utilities – administrative expenses, operation and maintenance expenses, debt service obligations, and contributions to reserves. Acquiring traditional … Read more
Aging and outdated infrastructure is one of the greatest challenges facing federal, state, and municipal leaders across the U.S. right now. Determining the best way to move forward on a major project can be difficult, but there is a new tool to make the decision-making process easier. An independent, non-profit organization called the Institute for … Read more
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) is awarding $12.7 million in grants to help small drinking and wastewater systems. The funding will impact systems that serve fewer than 10,000 people, as well as private well owners. The awards include: $4.5 million each to the National Rural Water Association and the Rural Community Assistance Partnership to … Read more