January 2026, Volume 21, Issue 1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
President's Corner
I always love seeing things come full circle. Recently, I hired an intern who is the son of the man who hired me. His father helped launch my career in stormwater, and I hope to have the same opportunity to launch his.
In our last newsletter, this column planted the SESWA mission statement and our new elevator speech within the text, challenging readers to find them. Joshua Rogers from the City of Chattanooga, Tennessee accepted the challenge and located the elevator speech at the end of the second paragraph: “SESWA connects stormwater professionals across the Southeast to tackle stormwater management and surface water quality challenges through education, collaboration, and advocacy.” Great job, Joshua!
We can all bring our SESWA experience full circle by using this pitch line to encourage our stormwater neighbors and peers to consider SESWA membership. But what exactly is included in “education, collaboration, and advocacy”? SESWA leadership is wrapping up our latest five-year Strategic Plan, and there are some major milestones worth highlighting:
- We launched the SESWA Service Projects and Student Conference Scholarship programs, creating protocols to ensure these initiatives continue.
- We targeted outreach to new MS4 communities and increased membership by 22%, expanding opportunities for collaboration.
- We continued publication of the SESWA Forecast Newsletter which, combined with archived conference and seminar presentations, created a searchable online resource.
- We represented SESWA on the EPA’s Finance Advisory Board and developed letters to Congress to support sustained investment in stormwater infrastructure.
There are many more accomplishments that will be highlighted soon. To bring our planning full circle, the next five-year strategic planning process begins this month and will conclude shortly after the Spring Seminar.
Speaking of the Spring Seminar, registration for this annual event in Atlanta just opened and promises to offer more opportunities for education, collaboration, and advocacy. With our first webinar of the year bringing in over 100 registrants and offering continuing education credits for the first time (another milestone), 2026 is poised to be another huge success!
John Butler
SESWA President
Gwinnett County, GA
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Over the course of the coming year, the Stormwater Policy Committee hopes to provide insights on the benefits and barriers of green infrastructure. Stormwater management has transformed over the last 50 years from a simple mission to move water away from streets and buildings into an integrated, resilience-focused practice that looks to mimic nature to improve water quality, restore ecosystems, and reduce risk. Our SESWA mission is to support our members in advancing this approach.
Rethinking Runoff Through LID/GSI: Florida’s Stormwater Evolution
Reported by Jovana Radovanovic, Geosyntec
As Florida faces growing challenges from urbanization and environmental change, effective stormwater management is critical to maintaining water quality and ecological health. As a result, Low Impact Development (LID) and Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) have become central to stormwater policy and practice statewide. Historically reliant on centralized systems and end of pipe treatment, Florida's stormwater framework has steadily shifted toward decentralized, source control approaches that better align with natural hydrologic processes and updated regulatory requirements. Recent updates to the Statewide Stormwater Rule have accelerated this transition, prompting local governments to formalize LID/GSI guidance that is consistent, practical, and implementable. Increasingly, policies that emphasize retaining, infiltrating, and treating stormwater at or near the source to reduce pollutant loading, protect groundwater recharge, and enhance community resilience are being implemented. Many Florida jurisdictions have developed LID/GSI manuals to support compliance offering tools, guidance, and approved practices for sustainable, innovative stormwater solutions. Equally important, operation and maintenance guidance is being integrated to ensure long-term performance and regulatory accountability. Together, evolving LID/GSI policies and expanded implementation reflect Florida's commitment to balancing growth with water quality protection and community resilience.
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SESWA Seminar: Save Your Spot - Register Today
 Registration is now open for the 21st Annual Regional Stormwater Seminar held in Atlanta, GA on Friday, April 17, 2026. This year’s theme, Assessment to Action: Improving Stormwater Systems for Today’s Complex Challenges, brings together engineers, planners, policymakers, and environmental professionals committed to building more robust, adaptive stormwater systems. Don’t miss the opportunity to connect with peers and hear from some of the industry’s top experts. Register to attend today!
Interested in showcasing your products and services in front of the top stormwater industry key decision-makers across the Southeast? Click here for sponsorship opportunities.
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From Seminar to Service: Giving Back to the City of Dunwoody, GA
As part of the SESWA Seminar in Atlanta, SESWA is excited to partner with the City of Dunwoody, GA on a hands-on environmental service project focused on removing invasive plants and planting native plants along Nancy Creek Fork. On Thursday, April 16, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. EST, participants will work to remove invasive plant species and help plant native vegetation along the creek corridor. There is no cost to participate in the service project, we just ask that you register in advance via the Seminar registration form to participate. We hope you’ll join us to give back while connecting with fellow SESWA Seminar attendees!
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Don’t Miss Out: Recording of SESWA’s First Webinar of the Year Now Available
Did you miss SESWA's first webinar of the year? A recording of the Prioritization Matrix for Fecal Pollution in Urban Streams webinar is now available! This encore presentation from the 20th Anniversary Conference shared Mecklenburg County, NC’s Storm Water Services' innovative use of data-driven strategies in developing a watershed prioritization matrix for their Illicit Discharge Elimination Program. The presentation covered the application of the matrix, monitoring methods, and actions taken to locate and eliminate potential sources of pollution.
New for 2026: Attending the live webinar now earns continuing education credits at no cost! (Watching the recording is a great way to learn, but continuing education credit is only available for live participants.)
This webinar was brought to SESWA members FREE thanks to the generous support of SESWA’s Communications Sponsors!
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Find What You Need Faster: Make the Most of SESWA’s Website Search Function
Ever feel like the answer you need is somewhere on the SESWA website but you’re not sure where? That’s exactly what our search function is designed for. With just a few well-chosen words, you can quickly uncover articles, resources, and tools related to any topic you’re interested in.
 Why use the search function? Instead of clicking through multiple menus or scrolling through pages, SESWA’s search bar (located at the top right-hand corner of each page next to the Login button) lets you jump straight to relevant information. Whether you’re looking for a past presentation, newsletter articles, or expert insights, search saves time and reduces frustration. Here are a few tips for better search results:
- Keep it simple. Start with one or two key terms and refine if needed.
- Try synonyms. If one term doesn’t work, a similar word might.
- Look beyond the first result. Some of the most helpful content may appear a little further down the list.
One of the biggest benefits of using the search function is stumbling upon valuable information you may not have found otherwise like related articles, FAQs, or resources connected to your original topic. So, the next time you have a question or need guidance, give the SESWA website search bar a try. It’s one of the quickest ways to unlock the full value of our website and get the information you need, right when you need it.
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SESWA Community Forum - Join the Conversation
SESWA is committed to being a trusted resource and maintaining open channels of communication. As a member of SESWA you have access to an online Community Forum to post questions, share information, and discuss emerging issues with your peers throughout the Southeast! Visit the Forum today and be sure to subscribe to the topics that interest YOU!
Here's the latest from the Forum:
Green Roof Challenges...
John Butler, Gwinnett County, GA
So, one of our first green roofs in Gwinnett County is a sloped green roof installation on our Environmental and Heritage Center. It was built back in 2006 and is in need of a revamp.
Oddly, finding a firm that can produce an adequate bid with a realistic scope of work has been very hard. I wonder if anyone with SESWA has experience with a green roof rehab. Specifically, I need some companies that may have experience with these types of projects.
read more…
Stormwater Peer Community Discussion..
Katie Cromwell, Raftelis Financial Consultants
What topics would you most like to share or learn about from fellow stormwater programs and utilities in a collaborative, open forum/discussion? For example, Regulatory compliance, operations, capital delivery, alternative funding, public engagement, green infrastructure, public-private partnerships, etc.?
read more…
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Final Wetland Rule Published by Federal Regulators
Kevin Coyne, SESWA
Stormwater practitioners are starting the year with a continuation of rulemaking that has been years in the making and may see an outcome in 2026. The Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule has been an ongoing regulatory story for over a decade, and in 2025, the rulemaking story did move forward. Guided by the 2023 Supreme Court ruling (Sackett v. EPA), federal regulators released an updated draft rule in November of 2025. The 2025 rule narrows wetland protection, establishing jurisdiction only where wetlands have a continuous surface connection, replacing the previous “significant nexus” test. It also revises the definition of a tributary (which must convey some permanent flow) and clarifies methods for determining what qualifies as a relatively permanent water. While some in the wetland regulatory field see this as positive step legal challenges from the environmental sector are expected. Some states, including a few in the SESWA region, have voiced support but caution that the rule may need further refinement to ensure efficient implementation. The 2025 WOTUS rule was open for public comment until January 5, 2026. Stakeholders will now watch closely to see when and how the new rule lands, and whether legal challenges emerge.
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GSI Maintenance, Is It A Sign - Yes!
Cindy Nguyen, Gwinnett County, GA
 How to implement a functional (and not damaging) green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) maintenance program has been the stormwater question of the century. Without a dedicated crew trained for the nuances of GSI, stormwater programs often rely on outsourced maintenance staff from parks, public works, or the private sector. It is challenging to continuously educate these separate and frequently rotating employees on the specific needs of GSI maintenance.
 In Gwinnett County, GA, we recently installed signs at each of our GSI projects. These signs explain the function in bullet points and feature a diagram of the practice. A QR code directs viewers to a webpage with additional information and an animation of the practice. The signs were originally intended for public education but are also a great reference or reminder to maintenance staff that GSI is not intended to be simply mowed down. This, combined with ongoing efforts to train new maintenance staff of GSI care, should help prevent expensive damage and destruction of GSI components.
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Building Rain Barrels and Community Engagement
Rachael Osborne, Columbia County, GA
How do you get the community to engage in a meaningful conversation about stormwater? I have found that DIY Rain Barrel workshops are a great way to introduce your local watershed(s), common stormwater pollutants as well as an overview of how a rain barrel can help stormwater quality and quantity.
Tips to develop a rain barrel workshop in your community:
 Find barrel supply options around you such as local restaurants, farms, or even bigger manufacturers. Ensure the barrels are clean, food grade plastic (typically blue), and can provide a reliable stream of barrels.- By choosing a closed system that attaches to a down spout, you can reduce the chance of creating mosquito habitat. **During workshop advertisement, be sure to share that the system relies on the building having downspouts.**
- Add to your workshop by personalizing it to your area. Identify your watersheds on a map, list the benefits or fun facts about rain barrels on a whiteboard, and even add a power tool safety demo.
By providing the tools, space, and knowledge to make a rain barrel, you can create an actionable solution while re-enforcing the importance of clean stormwater runoff.
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NACWA Corner
Provided by the National Association of Clean Water Agencies
Matthew McKenna, Director, Government Affairs
 House Committee Holds Hearing on PFAS and “Passive Receivers"
On December 18, 2025, the House Energy & Commerce Committee’s Environment Subcommittee held a hearing specifically focused on how EPA’s designation of two PFAS compounds—PFOA and PFOS—as hazardous substances under CERCLA could affect “passive receivers.” The hearing examined whether CERCLA’s strict liability framework could unintentionally expose entities that did not manufacture, intentionally use, or profit from PFAS to costly cleanup liability and litigation.
Stormwater utilities are a clear example of passive receivers. They do not produce PFAS, do not use PFAS in their operations, and do not profit from PFAS-containing products. Yet stormwater systems are designed to collect runoff from across the built environment—including roads, airports, military installations, industrial sites, landfills, and commercial areas—where PFAS contamination often originates. As a result, stormwater utilities must manage PFAS within their collection systems despite having little to no control over the sources.
The hearing highlighted how CERCLA’s strict, joint, and several liability structures can sweep in downstream entities simply because contaminated water or sediments pass through their infrastructure. Members and witnesses raised concerns that this framework could shift responsibility away from PFAS manufacturers and other primary contributors and onto local utilities serving their communities. For stormwater utilities, PFAS contamination is particularly challenging because it is diffuse, mobile, and often enters systems from off-site or legacy sources that are difficult to identify or trace.
Witnesses also emphasized that EPA’s enforcement discretion guidance does not provide meaningful protection for passive receivers. While it may guide EPA’s own enforcement decisions, it does not shield utilities from third-party lawsuits, contribution claims, or state actions. As a result, stormwater utilities could face years of litigation and uncertainty even when they played no role in creating the contamination.
Without targeted CERCLA liability protections, stormwater utilities could face significant impacts on ratepayers and local programs. Legal and administrative costs could divert limited stormwater revenues away from flood mitigation, green infrastructure, and water quality projects. Liability uncertainty may also complicate MS4 permit compliance, capital planning, and redevelopment efforts, particularly in fast-growing communities across the Southeast.
In response to these concerns, bipartisan legislation—the Water Systems PFAS Liability Protection Act (H.R. 1267)—has been introduced in Congress. The bill would provide targeted CERCLA liability protections for passive water sector entities while preserving the core “polluter pays” principle by ensuring that manufacturers and primary users of PFAS remain accountable for cleanup.
The legislation is supported by the Water Coalition Against PFAS, a broad coalition of national water associations that includes the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA), Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA), American Water Works Association (AWWA), National Association of Water Companies (NAWC), National Rural Water Association (NRWA), and the Water Environment Federation (WEF).
For stormwater utilities, the PFAS CERCLA debate is not abstract. It directly affects long-term planning, infrastructure investment, rate affordability, and the ability of local governments to protect communities from flooding and water quality impacts. Stormwater utilities are strongly encouraged to reach out to their Members of Congress to voice support for H.R. 1267 and underscore the importance of protecting passive receivers while holding true polluters accountable.
Please contact Matthew McKenna, NACWA’s Director of Government Affairs, with questions.
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