On Dec. 13, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it will host a series of workshops on its framework for Achieving Water Quality Through Integrated Municipal Stormwater and Wastewater Plans. Interested stakeholders will be able to observe and participate following a facilitated discussion with invited participants. Meetings will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at EPA regional offices in the following cities: Atlanta (Jan. 31), New York City (Feb. 6), Seattle (Feb. 13), Kansas City (Feb. 15), and Chicago (Feb. 17). EPA presented this schedule during a meeting of water stakeholders in Washington D.C., and further details about the workshops will be published in the Federal Register. A draft framework will be available on EPA’s website prior to the first workshop in January.

On Dec. 14, the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment held a hearing to discuss EPA’s integrated planning efforts. The goal of the hearing was to discuss whether and how EPA could provide local utilities with adequate flexibility to cost-effectively address their most pressing water quality problems. Panelists included EPA officials, state and local officials, utility managers, and an environmental representative. Read more