CASA Connects Water and Wastewater Updates for May 15, 2018
U.S. Senate Moves Water Infrastructure Legislation Forward
Last week, the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works released an initial draft of America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018, formerly referred to as the Water Resources Development Act. The biennial legislation has bipartisan support with senior leadership of the committee sponsoring. Committee hearings took place May 9 with additional hearings set for May 22 and a bill markup anticipated on May 24. CASA advocated for several elements in the bill. Read more.
Microplastics on the Move
Microplastics and microfiber pollution are hot topics this year in the regulatory and legislative arenas. Progress is underway with several solution-oriented initiatives moving forward.
The Ocean Protection Council recently adopted its updated California Ocean Litter Prevention Strategy. CASA contributed to the development of the strategy that includes goals and actions to address microplastic pollution in the marine environment.
CASA’s sponsored bill, SB 1263 (Portantino), which builds on the OPC’s work underway, continues to move forward.
AB 2379, which aims to curb the introduction of microfibers into the wastewater stream, awaits action on the Assembly floor.
CASA recently provided comments and testimony to support the OPC’s final adopted strategy. We also are in active support of AB 2379. Read more.
CASA Continues Advocacy on Organics Diversion Rules
CalRecycle recently released new draft regulations to implement SB 1383. The legislation aims to establish targets to achieve a 50 percent reduction in statewide organic waste disposal levels by 2020 and a 75 percent reduction by 2025. CASA participated in a Sacramento workshop last week and is developing comments to continue our efforts to shape the evolving regulations. Read more.
CASA Weighs in on CWSRF Funding Priorities
On May 10, CASA submitted comments on the State Water Board’s draft Intended Use Plan for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund for federal fiscal year 2018. The Board will consider adoption of the IUP at its June 19 meeting. Several changes from prior practice are proposed in the draft IUP. Read more.
UK Pledges to Ban Single-Use Plastic
Last month, British Prime Minister Theresa May announced her government’s pledge to clean the world’s oceans of plastics. The UK government plans to end the sale of plastic straws, drink stirrers, plastic-stemmed cotton swabs and wet wipes in England. Read more.
Annual Conference Registration Now Open!
Before summer gets into full swing, make your plans to join us at our 63rd annual conference August 8-10 at the Monterey Marriott. Hotel rooms are booking fast at this time of year. Review the preliminary program and register soon!
Member News
Welcome New Members!
City of Folsom
Hunton Andrews Kurth, LLP
IEUA Attracts 3,800 Participants to Educational Event
CASA member Inland Empire Utilities Agency made a significant impact at its Earth Day event this year. Approximately 2,000 students, parents and teachers along with 1,800 community members attended the educational event. Participants learned about ways to take action and support environmental stewardship. Kudos to IEUA!
Mark Your Calendar
Calendar Change: State Water Board Postpones May Workshops
Due to staffing and scheduling conflicts, the State Water Board postponed its stakeholder workshops for the Proposed Sanitary Sewer System General Order Reissuance. The workshops were scheduled to take place in various cities throughout May. We will keep you posted as we learn more.
