Federal Water Tap, July 22: EPA Scientists Assess Toxicity to Humans of ‘Forever Chemical’

The Rundown

• EPA scientists assess the human toxicity of PFDA, one of the “forever chemicals.”
• Arizona representatives introduce tribal water rights settlement in Congress.
• NOAA begins seasonal forecasts of Lake Erie’s harmful algal bloom.
• Small businesses affected by the Atlanta water main break last month are now eligible for subsidized loans.
• Federal agencies publish draft guidelines for levee safety.
• EPA internal watchdog will audit the agency’s use of federal infrastructure funds for water utility cybersecurity.
• EPA advisory committee on water pollution from animal feedlots schedules another meeting.

And lastly, members of Congress ask their colleagues to ensure the sustainability of federal water infrastructure funding by reconsidering how they handle earmarks.

“We are grateful for the Committee’s commitment to fund our nation’s clean water and drinking water infrastructure through the annual Appropriations process, but we are increasingly concerned about the [State Revolving Funds’] solvency in years to come.” – Letter from 18 members of Congress to their colleagues on the House and Senate budget committees. The letter highlights concerns about how Congress is choosing to fund water infrastructure. Earmarks have returned, and in the last three years more than half the money allocated to the State Revolving Funds, the main federal vehicle for investing in the nation’s water systems, has been redirected to earmarks.

By the Numbers

$20 Million: Funding the EPA allocated to identify and train the next generation of water utility workers. Thirteen regional organizations will receive funds to develop internships, apprenticeships, trainings, and education. An aging industry is worried about a “silver tsunami” of retirement without enough new workers to keep the nation’s water systems operating.

News Brief

Another Arizona Tribal Water Settlement
A bill introduced in Congress would settle the water rights for the Yavapai-Apache Nation, whose reservation is about 90 miles north of Phoenix.

The settlement includes rights to water from the Verde River and roughly $1 billion to build the infrastructure to deliver treated water to the reservation. A new pipeline will connect to the existing C.C. Cragin Dam and move water to a new treatment facility.

The Yavapai-Apache Nation Tribal Council approved the settlement in June.

Another water rights settlement in Arizona is also moving through Congress. That $5 billion settlement is for water, infrastructure, and land for the Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, and San Juan Southern Paiute.

Atlanta Water Main Break Fallout
Small businesses and nonprofits in Atlanta that were affected by flooding from massive water main breaks in June are now eligible for subsidized federal loans.

Economic Injury Disaster Loans offer lower interest rates and deferred payment plans.

Meanwhile, three members of Georgia’s congressional delegation introduced a bill that would increase the authorized amount that the Army Corps of Engineers can spend on water infrastructure projects in the city. Funds for such projects would still need to be appropriated in the budget process.

Studies and Reports

PFDA Toxicity Review
An EPA health assessment agency published a draft review of the chemical PFDA and its toxicity to humans.

The review did not find enough evidence to determine the cancer risk of PFDA. There is evidence that the chemical affects liver, immune, developmental, and reproductive systems.

Used on food packaging, carpets, and ski wax for its non-stick properties, PFDA is part of the larger class of chemicals known as PFAS, or “forever” chemicals.

The review is one of five PFAS chemicals that the EPA’s Integrated Risk Information System is evaluating. The evaluations will inform future regulatory decisions.

Federal Funds for Water System Cybersecurity
The EPA Office of Inspector General will audit the agency’s use of federal infrastructure funds to support water utility cybersecurity and other security measures.

Levee Safety
FEMA and the Army Corps published a draft version of the first-ever federal guidelines for levee safety.

The guidelines cover flood risk assessment, floodplain management, community engagement, and levee design, construction, and operation.

Public comments on the draft are due August 31.

On the Radar

Lake Erie Harmful Algal Bloom
It’s the season for green muck in Lake Erie.

The lake’s shallow western basin is the epicenter of the annual summer harmful algal bloom. To track the bloom, NOAA has forecasts that combine satellite imagery, computer modeling, and field sampling to show the position and toxicity of the foul waters.

EPA Water System Restructuring Rule
The public comment period for an EPA proposal to address structural problems with U.S. drinking water utilities ends on July 29.

The so-called Water System Restructuring Assessment Rule would provide states the authority to evaluate the financial, managerial, and technical capacity of water utilities that consistently fail to meet federal drinking water standards and propose remedies.

The proposal would give states the authority to require an assessment of restructuring options.

Water Pollution from Animal Feedlots
The EPA advisory committee on water pollution from animal feedlots will hold a public meeting on August 8-9, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Composed of nonprofits, academics, regulatory, and industry representatives, the committee will recommend to the agency ways to reduce nutrient pollution in waterways.

The meeting has in-person and virtual options. Register here.

Federal Water Tap is a weekly digest spotting trends in U.S. government water policy. To get more water news, follow Circle of Blue on Twitter and sign up for our newsletter.

Brett Walton

Brett writes about agriculture, energy, infrastructure, and the politics and economics of water in the United States. He also writes the Federal Water Tap, Circle of Blue’s weekly digest of U.S. government water news. He is the winner of two Society of Environmental Journalists reporting awards, one of the top honors in American environmental journalism: first place for explanatory reporting for a series on septic system pollution in the United States(2016) and third place for beat reporting in a small market (2014). He received the Sierra Club’s Distinguished Service Award in 2018. Brett lives in Seattle, where he hikes the mountains and bakes pies. Contact Brett Walton