Shutdown Takes Growing Toll On Water Sector

As the U.S. government shutdown drags into another week, its impact on the water sector is spreading.

Long-term consequences are growing as part of the media conversation. The Hill sounded the alarm bell as it became clear the shutdown would be more than a momentary incident. 

"The indefinite close down of EPA’s operations poses major risks, some imminent and others long term, to the health and natural environment of millions of Americans," the newspaper said. "The EPA’s enforcement of existing regulations provides vital protections against the emission of toxic air and water pollutants and the contamination of public drinking water supplies."

Water stakeholders are concerned. The American Water Works Association (AWWA) said it is "monitoring the situation closely." Reports say industry is somewhat in the dark. 

Chris Hornback, senior director of the National Association of Clean Water Agencies said “the regulated community is getting no updates, etc., from them and no opportunity to interact with [overseers] on critical issues," BNA Bloomberg reported. 

Senior EPA officials also had to miss the Water Environment Federation's WEFTEC conference last week, the report said. 

Some of the biggest impacts are on the states. State environmental departments have sent people home. 

"The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality have already furloughed workers as a result of the shutdown," BNA Bloomberg reported. 

Wyoming, for instance, cut down to a staff of 126 positions. Water quality staffers were among the hardest-hit categories, the report said. 

Reports of other interruptions in the water industry are trickling in. For instance, certain funds for water utilities have stopped flowing, including Justice Department grants. 

"The federal government shutdown means the suspension of some grant funds for key departments including police, water utilities and housing" in Texas, The Dallas Morning News reported. That means funds cannot be drawn from the water reuse feasibility study covering various lakes, according to a government memo. 

Meanwhile, an Oregon task force devoted to major decisions on a particular water basin had to shut its operations during the furlough, according to OPB. 

“Unfortunately, we need certain federal participants in order to be able to complete work on this effort,” Richard Whitman, the governor’s natural resources advisor, said. 

Despite the worsening consequences of the shutdown, one water-related claim is only a myth. A conservative pundit said the shutdown meant the ocean is closed. He said so in a piece titled "Feds Try To Close The Ocean." Not true, Mother Jones explained.