North Carolina Water Quality Association

Programs: The association tracks and actively participates in state and federal water quality-related regulatory activities that affect the municipal wastewater industry in north carolina. It compiles and reviews state and federal water quality-related guidance, policy and technical documents, including north carolina department of energy and natural resources' guidance documents, guidance from epa region iv, and epa headquarter's office of water and office of enforcement and compliance assurance. The association submitted extensive comments on the triennial review of water quality fiscal note, on pretreatment rules, on threshold rules, on statewide mercury tmdl with accompanying permitting strategy, on epa's national bacteria, on dwq continued on schedule o continued from form 990, part 111, line 4a: nutrient criteria development plan, and revised storm water general permit for treatment works. It developed customized revisions to the default national dissolved metals criteria and a model mercury minimization plan. The association negotiated changes to impervious cover/flow tmdls; to utility easement maintenance requirements; and for emc to review and approve all future use assessment methodologies.

the association monitors, supports and/or opposes legislation affecting the municipal wastewater industry in north carolina, in particular, against cuts to the clean water and drinking water state revolving fund programs in the federal budget during the year.

the association conducts educational meetings and workshops on wastewater compliance issues, legislative issues, regulatory issues and other matters affecting the municipal wastewater industry in north carolina. The topics presented included a wide range of significant regulatory and permitting issues affecting the industry. It held a workshop on environmental compliance that addressed critical compliance obligations, as well as strategies for enhancing the municipal wastewater industry's compliance programs.