Responses Requested: SWRCB Wastewater Rates Questionnaire
This is a reminder for your agency to please submit responses by May 15 on the State Water Resources Control Board’s voluntary 2026 Wastewater Rates Questionnaire. On March 27, the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) reissued its voluntary Wastewater Rates Questionnaire. Building on the SWRCB’s previous bi-annual survey, this 2026 version has been significantly streamlined and shortened from the versions issued in the 2010’s to reduce the administrative burden on public agencies and increase clean water community’s participation rate. The SWRCB is requesting responses by May 15.

This data will be critical for the SWRCB’s Wastewater Needs Assessment (WWNA) and the SB 1157 water conservation assessment for the California Department of Water Resources (DWR). CASA hosted a technical “how to” webinar with the SWRCB on March 30 to review the preparation and submission of responses. Follow this link to access the webinar recording and the FAQ. If you have any questions not addressed in the FAQ, please reach out to Jonathan Williams at the SWRCB for guidance.

 

EPA Announces Intent to Develop PFAS Biosolids Guidance
The U.S. EPA announced its intent to develop new guidance for PFAS in land-applied biosolids. Jess Kramer, Assistant Administrator for the EPA Office of Water, said the agency plans to release guidance that is “clear and transparent and upfront” and based on real-life land application scenarios. As states continue introducing interim guidance and resources such as the ECOS Compendium of State PFAS Actions and NACWA’s Biosolids PFAS Legislative Guide, stakeholders hope EPA will consider these efforts alongside decades of research supporting the beneficial use of biosolids.