Wastewater

Denmark Consultation: Draft IE Livestock Amendments to Livestock Approval Regulation

Denmark is consulting on draft amendments to its Livestock Approval Order to implement the EU Industrial Emissions Amendment Directive for large pig and poultry farms, introducing LSU-based thresholds, new IE-specific definitions, and stricter notification and information duties for intensive livestock operators. The rules are scheduled to enter into force on 1 September 2026 but will only apply four to six years after future EU operating rules are adopted, giving affected farms limited time to adjust permits, investments, and data systems before tighter IE-based controls bite around 2030.

24 May 2026, 21:10prodstoragehoeringspo.blob.core.windows.netDenmark

AECOM Urges Science-Based PFAS Regulation in South Africa

AECOM has published analysis highlighting widespread PFAS contamination in South African water systems and is urging government to adopt enforceable, science-based PFAS limits, national monitoring, and targeted infrastructure upgrades. If translated into policy, these recommendations could drive new PFAS standards, higher compliance expectations for utilities and industrial dischargers, and significant investment in water treatment and remediation.

24 May 2026, 20:57firstafricaguide.comSouth Africa

Germany’s Environment Agency Publishes Feasibility Study On Environmental Index For Pharmaceuticals

Germany’s Environment Agency has released a major feasibility study proposing an environmental information and classification system for pharmaceuticals to curb medicine residues in water over the coming years. If implemented, this “Arzneimittelindex Umwelt” could hard‑wire environmental performance of active ingredients into prescribing, reimbursement and procurement decisions, reshaping how pharmaceutical portfolios and treatment guidelines are managed.

24 May 2026, 20:35umweltbundesamt.deGermany

EU Commission Outlines 4th RBMP Reporting under Surface and Groundwater Pollutants Directive

The European Commission has outlined how 4th River Basin Management Plan reporting under the Water Framework Directive will be streamlined and aligned with Directive (EU) 2026/805 and the recast Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, including new treatment of river basin specific pollutants, revised exemptions, and deadlines around late 2027. This sets a clear implementation and data‑infrastructure timeline for Member States and water utilities, who will need to adjust planning, monitoring systems, and raw chemical and ecological data reporting (with chemical quality elements envisaged from 2029) to avoid bottlenecks when the 4th RBMP reporting window opens.

23 May 2026, 19:32circabc.europa.euEuropean Union

Kansas KDHE Issues Public Notice on Draft Water Pollution Control Permits (21 May 2026)

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has issued a 21 May 2026 public notice listing draft Kansas and federal water pollution control permits and applications, with a public comment deadline on 20 June 2026. Affected feedlots and industrial dischargers must review proposed permit and Nutrient Management Plan conditions now so any concerns about discharge and land-application requirements can be raised before KDHE finalises these NPDES and state permits.

23 May 2026, 19:28kdhe.ks.govUnited States

Alabama ADEM Reports Sanitary Sewer Overflow at Phenix City Lonesome Pine Lift Station

Alabama environmental regulators have published an updated report of a 1,000–10,000 gallon sanitary sewer overflow from Phenix City’s Lonesome Pine lift station into a tributary of Cochgalechee Creek in May 2026. This incident highlights ongoing wastewater infrastructure and permit-compliance risks for local utilities but does not indicate any broader change in underlying water regulations.

23 May 2026, 11:18gis.adem.alabama.govUnited States

Global Study Assesses PFAS Transformation in Biosolids Pyrolysis Byproducts

A new peer-reviewed study of a full-scale biosolids pyrolysis plant finds that while PFAS-specific fluorine signatures drop sharply, most extractable organic fluorine persists in biochar and long-chain PFAS transform into higher levels of shorter-chain species like PFBA, PFBS, and TFA. This evidence challenges assumptions that pyrolysis alone fully destroys PFAS in biosolids and suggests regulators and utilities should account for residual and transformed PFAS in biochar and byproducts when setting standards for biosolids treatment, reuse, and disposal.

23 May 2026, 11:18pubs.acs.orgGlobal

Norway Schedules Open VKM Presentation On Risk Assessment Of Sewage Sludge As Fertiliser

Norway's food safety authority has scheduled a public VKM presentation and publication of a new risk assessment on contaminants in sewage sludge used as fertiliser and soil improver on 10 June 2026. The assessment could drive changes to Norway's rules on sewage sludge use and treatment in agriculture, reshaping expectations for wastewater operators, fertiliser producers and farmers relative to the less stringent EU sludge directive.

23 May 2026, 11:16mattilsynet.noNorway

US DOJ Seeks Comment on Proposed Modification to Clean Water Act Consent Decree for Fort Smith, Arkansas

In May 2026, the US Department of Justice proposed modifying a 2015 Clean Water Act consent decree with the City of Fort Smith, Arkansas, extending its term into 2038 and revising sewer rehabilitation milestones and funding obligations. The extended timeline and new requirements signal sustained federal scrutiny of municipal wastewater compliance under the Clean Water Act and give local stakeholders a short window to comment before the settlement terms are finalised.

23 May 2026, 11:15public-inspection.federalregister.govUnited States

US EPA Seeks Comment on Renewal of Wastewater Laboratory Performance Evaluation ICR

EPA has opened a 60-day comment period on renewing its information collection for performance evaluation studies of wastewater laboratories under the NPDES DMR-QA programme, with comments due 20 July 2026. The renewal would maintain existing proficiency-testing and reporting obligations for major and selected minor wastewater dischargers, so affected operators should review the burden estimates and consider whether to comment but should not expect immediate new chemical monitoring requirements.

23 May 2026, 09:14federalregister.govUnited States

EEA Joint Committee Amends Annex XX to Incorporate EU Water Watch List Decision (EU) 2025/439

In February 2026 the EEA Joint Committee adopted Decision 52/2026 to amend Annex XX (Environment) of the EEA Agreement so that the new EU water‑policy watch list Decision (EU) 2025/439 replaces the earlier watch list decision 2022/1307 from 7 February 2026. This brings Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway into line with the latest EU Environmental Quality Standards Directive monitoring framework, signalling renewed regulatory focus on substances placed on the Union watch list and their future role in EQS‑driven water policy decisions.

23 May 2026, 08:46eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Economic AreaEuropean Union

Alabama ADEM Proposes Reissuance of NPDES MS4 General Permit ALR040000

The Alabama Department of Environmental Management has issued a 20 May 2026 public notice proposing to reissue NPDES General Permit ALR040000 for stormwater discharges from regulated small municipal MS4s across the state. Covered municipalities and other MS4 operators should review the draft permit conditions and submit any technical comments within the 30-day window, as the renewed general permit will set future stormwater management and Clean Water Act compliance obligations in Alabama.

22 May 2026, 18:58adem.alabama.govUnited States

Vermont Legislature Passes S.212 on Municipal Potable Water and Wastewater System Connections

Vermont has passed bill S.212, overhauling how municipal potable water and wastewater system connections are defined, permitted, delegated to municipalities, and priced, with the measure now awaiting the Governor’s action ahead of a planned 1 July 2026 start and phased implementation through 2028. Developers, property owners, and municipalities will need to align connection planning and budgets with a new general-permit regime, stricter capacity checks, and higher, tiered state and municipal fees for tying into public water and sewer infrastructure.

22 May 2026, 18:58legislature.vermont.govUnited States

New York Senate Refers PFAS Biosolids Moratorium Bill S5759C To Finance Committee

On 20 May 2026, the New York Senate sent bill S5759C, a PFAS-driven proposal imposing a five-year statewide moratorium on land application, sale and distribution of biosolids and biosolid-derived products, to the Finance Committee for further consideration. If enacted, the bill would force wastewater utilities, farmers and land managers to reroute biosolids away from land spreading, reshaping PFAS risk management, waste-handling costs and sourcing of alternative soil amendments across New York.

22 May 2026, 18:56nysenate.govUnited States

California State Water Board Opens Comment Period on Basin Plan Amendment Revising Nutrient TMDLs for Lake Elsinore and Canyon Lake

The California State Water Board has opened a public comment period on approving a Basin Plan amendment that replaces the 2004 nutrient TMDLs for Lake Elsinore and Canyon Lake with new phased 2024 TMDLs and updated load allocations. The revision tightens long-term phosphorus and nitrogen limits for municipal stormwater, agriculture and recycled-water dischargers, signalling significant future investment in watershed controls, in-lake projects and permit changes across the San Jacinto River watershed.

22 May 2026, 18:53waterboards.ca.govUnited States

Louisiana DEQ Seeks Comment On New Biosolids, Water Discharge And Air Permits

Louisiana’s Department of Environmental Quality has opened public consultation on new draft biosolids, water discharge, and air permits for facilities operated by the City of Shreveport, Magnolia Water Utility, and Shell Chemical in Geismar, with comment deadlines in late June 2026. These permits will shape ongoing wastewater, biosolids management and air emissions obligations at the sites, so operators and nearby stakeholders should quickly review proposed conditions and engage before the comment periods close.

22 May 2026, 18:53deq.louisiana.govUnited States

Arizona ADEQ Seeks Comment On AZPDES Permit Renewal For Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery

Arizona’s environmental regulator has opened a 30-day public comment period on renewing the state water-discharge (AZPDES) permit for the Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery in Mohave County. The renewal process and eventual permit conditions may signal how Arizona will set expectations for effluent limits and monitoring at similar hatchery and aquaculture facilities in the region.

22 May 2026, 18:50azdeq.govUnited States

North Dakota DEQ Announces Intent to Reissue NDPDES Discharge Permit for City of Medora

In May 2026, the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality announced its intent to reissue a North Dakota Pollutant Discharge Elimination System wastewater discharge permit for the City of Medora. This public notice starts the permitting decision process that will set Medora’s future wastewater discharge limits and monitoring duties, so operators and stakeholders should review the draft permit and comment instructions on the NDDEQ portal.

22 May 2026, 17:16ceris.deq.nd.govUnited States

England: Environment Agency Updates Part C1 Application Form for Standard Rules Permit Variations

In May 2026 the Environment Agency updated its Part C1 application form in England to cover new standard rules permits for unbound incinerator bottom ash aggregate in construction and small sewage discharges, along with extra site plan examples and navigation changes. This affects how operators vary or add standard rules environmental permits, requiring use of the revised form and updated information for relevant waste and wastewater activities.

22 May 2026, 10:25gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Washington State PFAS Biosolids Sampling Law Under RCW 70A.226

Washington has amended RCW 70A.226 to require PFAS sampling and reporting for biosolids permit holders, with Ecology to issue guidance by mid-2026 and run a temporary monitoring programme from 2027 to 2028. Biosolids generators and wastewater utilities in Washington should plan for new PFAS sampling, laboratory and data-reporting obligations that could underpin future decisions on biosolids restrictions and land-application policy.

22 May 2026, 10:24ecology.wa.govUnited States