Among NASSCO’s strategic goals are No. 1, growing NASSCO’s training and education programs, and No. 2, expanding NASSCO’s library of technical resources. Here's a look at strides made to accomplish our third goal: Advocate for the underground infrastructure industry.
As a 501(c)(6) trade association, NASSCO’s most obvious advocacy surrounds government relations and the work our members do to help educate elected officials on the need to fund the assessment, maintenance and repair of underground infrastructure. Specifically, we recommend:
- Include in the fiscal year 2025 budget full funding for the water infrastructure funding programs included in the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act as well as all other federal programs that fund water infrastructure.
- Provide full funding annually to federal programs and offices that directly and indirectly ensure that the Clean Water Act and National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permits remain in full regulatory compliance.
- Provide federal technical and grant assistance to communities that lack the financial and technical resources to develop comprehensive asset management plans.
- Require that asset management plans be in place for sanitary and/or storm sewer systems for all applications to federally subsidized grants and loans.
After several years of communicating these key recommendations, NASSCO is making a mark in Washington, D.C. through our government relations consultant, Steve Dye, who works tirelessly to ensure that our voice is heard. We have also gained excellent traction thanks to the annual NASSCO Washington, D.C. Fly-In events when our members travel from across the country to join us in the nation’s capital to meet with their elected officials. With our growing membership in Canada, we have recently engaged the services of a government relations specialist in Ottawa to help us advocate for proper asset management and funding of water and sewer systems across the border.
Less obvious advocacy efforts include protecting our workers and communities from health and safety risks. Over the past six years, NASSCO has worked with institutions of higher learning to better understand the health and safety risks, if any, from styrene emissions used in the CIPP process. The findings from these studies have provided specific recommendations to be followed on the job site. The NASSCO website contains a plethora of information on the topic, including the research findings and recommendations, as well as videos, webinars, specification guidelines and so much more. Visit nassco.org/safety to learn more, download and share this valuable information.
NASSCO believes there is still more to learn about styrene safety, and it is therefore funding a Phase 4 Study in partnership with Dr. Tom Iseley and his team at BAMI-I. This research initiative focuses on establishing the styrene discharge concentration in cure water that may create bioinhibition at publicly owned treatment plants. With a goal of completing this by the end of 2024, the study began with Dr. Iseley and his team conducting a thorough literature review of peer reviewed research and a survey amongst POTWs to determine current perceptions on the subject. The final phase of the study, yet to be awarded, will include laboratory testing and development of a white paper on the findings. The goal of the study is to establish laboratory inhibition standards and refine recommendations included in NASSCO’s guideline titled “The Safe Use and Handling of Styrenated Resins in the CIPP Process.”
To download NASSCO resources, learn more about membership, watch prerecorded webinars, and so much more, visit nassco.org.
