JUNE ROUNDUP

Council Members Lead AWWA ACE 2026 Sessions 

Council members contributed to two technical sessions at AWWA ACE 2026:



Safe Drinking Water Act: Rethinking the Future of Drinking Water Risk Reduction Opportunities

On June 23rd, Manny Teodoro and Chad Seidel discussed risk-based decision-making and how system consolidation can strengthen utility capacity.

30 Years Since the 1996 SDWA Amendments – How Successful Has the Law Been?

On June 24th, Alan Roberson moderated the discussion, with Chad Seidel reflecting on the legacy of the 1996 amendments and opportunities to strengthen the Safe Drinking Water Act.

Council Members Host Safe Drinking Water Act: The Next Fifty Years Book Signing

Council members Manny Teodoro, Chad Seidel, and Alan Roberson participated in a signing for Safe Drinking Water Act: The Next Fifty Years at AWWA ACE 2026, connecting with attendees and discussing the ideas shaping the future of drinking water policy. The event provided an opportunity to engage with readers from across the sector and share insights from the book on infrastructure, governance, workforce capacity, and long-term drinking water resilience.

Joe Cotruvo Honored with Emeritus Status

Council member Joe Cotruvo transitioned to emeritus status with the Water & Health Advisory Council at the Safe Drinking Water Act: The Next Fifty Years Reception, honoring decades of leadership, expertise, and service to the water sector. A former Director of EPA’s Drinking Water Standards Division and longtime leader in water quality, risk assessment, and regulatory policy, Dr. Cotruvo has made lasting contributions to drinking water protection and public health.

EPA Announces $295 Million to Remove Illinois Lead Pipes Even as Trump Moves to Roll Back Clean Water Protections

Illinois will receive nearly $295 million in federal funding to identify and replace lead service lines as part of a broader EPA initiative to reduce lead exposure in drinking water. The funding, distributed through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, will support lead pipe inventories, infrastructure planning, and replacement projects across the state.

The announcement highlights the continued importance of sustained investment in aging water infrastructure and lead remediation efforts.

Curtis, Rosen Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Help Protect Drinking Water Infrastructure During Extreme Heat

Senators Jo Sens. John Curtis (R-UT), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) have introduced bipartisan legislation that would allow public water systems to use EPA resilience funding to prepare for extreme temperatures and would reauthorize the program through 2032.

As extreme weather places growing stress on drinking water infrastructure, policies that help utilities strengthen system resilience and prepare for future conditions will be increasingly important to protecting reliable water service and public health.