While the pandemic has delayed many things, Massachusetts DEP did not let it cancel its recognition of drinking water utilities that have met complete compliance with all federal and state…
Water
ECOS Green Report: State Environmental Agency Modernization — Leveraging Unmanned Aerial Systems to Improve Environmental Results
In recent years, states have established the use of drones within various environmental programs to boost emergency preparedness and response, water monitoring (harmful algal blooms, E. coli, Cyanobacteria, bathymetric, &…
Oregon Reports Widespread Water Quality Improvements
A new interagency report from Oregon has shown a drop in pesticide levels in a majority of watersheds across the state. Oregon’s Pesticide Stewardship Partnership (PSP) Program, an interagency water…
Michigan Takes Steps to Advance Climate Justice and Equitable Access to Services
Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has announced new efforts to promote more just and equitable environmental protection. On February 1, the agency named a panel of…
Illinois Green Bonds Deliver Clean Water and Fund Wastewater Treatment
Last month, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) and the Illinois Finance Authority (IFA) closed their joint $500 million Clean Water Initiative-State Revolving Fund Revenue Bonds, Series 2020 (Series 2020…
Texas Receives Authority to Administer NPDES Program for Oil & Gas Discharges
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) announced this week that it is ready to start receiving and processing permit applications from oil and gas facilities that will treat and…
Michigan Updates PFAS Cleanup Standards
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, & Energy (EGLE) announced in December that it has updated its cleanup criteria for groundwater used as drinking water to include five new…
Ohio Reaches Out to Water Systems on Lead Service Line Replacement Funding
The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency’s Division of Environmental and Financial Assistance is conducting outreach to water systems about principal forgiveness funding for Lead Service Line (LSL) Replacement. An informational webinar…
New Mexico Embarks on Collaborative COVID-19 Wastewater Monitoring Program
This week, New Mexico launched the initial phase of the New Mexico Wastewater Surveillance System, a COVID-19 wastewater monitoring program at congregate settings, in the southwest region of New Mexico.…
Maryland Undertakes ‘Sewer Sentinel’ Effort to Sample Wastewater for COVID-19
On November 12, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan announced a statewide initiative to sample wastewater as an early warning system of COVID-19 outbreaks in vulnerable Maryland communities. The Sewer Sentinel Initiative,…
