Dear Readers,
Water and Wastewater Monthly Roundup for the month of September 2020, is a snapshot of the insights our data is able to provide to our Water and Wastewater Industry clients. This blog shares upcoming project alerts, drivers, recent mergers and acquisitions, and updates on upcoming meetings and conferences.
Status: Effective
Organization: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Summary: On September 2, 2020, the Environmental Protection Agency announced an update to the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan with the City of San Diego, California. By lowering the WIFIA loan's interest rate, ratepayers will save an additional $290 million over the loan's life.
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Status: Proposed
Organization: Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
Summary: On September 14, 2020, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency declared its plans to conduct an investigation across the state into the prevalence and existence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in finished drinking water in 1,749 community water supplies in Illinois. Gathered data will help develop the future Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) regulatory standards for PFAS. If PFAS chemicals are identified, Illinois EPA will work with community water supplies to ensure residents are informed, and determine the next steps to lessening exposure. The investigation is anticipated to take 12 to 15 months to complete.
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Status: Proposed
Organization: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Summary: On September 15, 2020, the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published its proposed 2020 Financial Capability Assessment (FCA) for the Clean Water Act. Under the 2020 FCA, EPA wants to help water utilities that serve economically disadvantaged communities and provide vital clean water services that support public health, the environment, and local economies. EPA’s proposed FCA 2020 guidance incorporates new metrics to inform a community’s implementation schedule. When issued in the federal register, EPA will accept comments for 30 days via the Federal eRulemaking portal. This document was updated for the first time in over 20 years.
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Status: Effective
Organization: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Summary: On September 22, 2020, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) declared $268 million to improve rural drinking water and wastewater infrastructure across 28 states. USDA is financing 76 projects through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program. Some of the biggest fundings go to the City of Greenville, Ill. ($14 million), andHulbert, Okla. (the Tenkiller Utilities Authority (TUA) is getting a $10.6 million loan and a $4.6 million grant). List of states that are getting funds are: Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia.
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Status: Effective
Organization: American Water Works Association (AWWA)
Summary: On August 27, 2020, American Water Works Association (AWWA) published that the Board of Directors approved a new strategic plan on August 18. The updated program allows the AWWA Board to set direction, secure resources, provide oversight for the next five years, and define AWWA's role in supporting water professionals worldwide and strengthening its collaboration with AWWA sections. Also, the 2025 plan expands AWWA's list of core principles from five to seven. The two new principles are maintaining the publics' trust and advancing access to safe water globally. The new plan also emphasizes an AWWA principle – Foster Diversity and Inclusion – by changing it to Advance Diversity and Inclusion. The remaining principles in the 2025 plan, brought along from the 2016 program, are:
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In July 2020, Ohio’s City of Akron adopted its Capital Investment and Community Development Program for fiscal year (FY) 2020-2024. The program is updated annually. We’ve completed our review.
Looking back at the FY 2019-2023 Adopted CIP, it totaled $1.4 billion, with a total number of 364 projects. The highest appropriations were designated for water & sewer construction, totaling $736.4 million.
This year’s CIP totals $1.6 billion, which is an increase of a total value of CIP of 11.7% in comparison to the previous year CIP. Total number of projects has decreased from last year, and totals 338. Water & sewer program expenditures remain to lead in having highest appropriations, with $743.8 million, which is an increase of 1% from the FY 2019 - 2023. Following highest appropriated areas are transportation ($517.8 million) and miscellaneous ($260.7 million).
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In August 2020, Massachusetts’s City of Arlington adopted its Capital Improvement Program for fiscal year 2020-2024. The program is updated annually. We’ve completed our review.
Looking back at the FY 2019-2023 Adopted CIP, it totaled $338.1 million, with a total number of 75 projects. The highest appropriations were designated for the business area (BA) of public works and transportation, totaling $176.8 million.
This year’s CIP totals $518.4 million, which is an increase of a total value of CIP of 34.8% in comparison to the previous year CIP. Total number of projects has increased from last year, and totals 93. As a leading BA, with highest designated appropriations of $168.8 million, becomes the BA of water utilities, replacing BA of public works and transportation.
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Organizations have shifted their event strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are tracking these changing meeting plans.
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