If your community is navigating the cost of Clean Water Act compliance – and in the Upper Ohio River Basin, many are – the EPA wants to hear from you. Two public stakeholder webinars are coming up fast, and they are worth your time.
What Is the Financial Capability Assessment Guidance?
The EPA’s Clean Water Act (CWA) Financial Capability Assessment (FCA) Guidance is a framework that helps determine what communities can reasonably afford when it comes to meeting Clean Water Act requirements – things like upgrading wastewater systems, reducing combined sewer overflows, or implementing stormwater programs.
For smaller municipalities and lower-income communities across our region, this guidance has real consequences. It affects the timelines and flexibility communities get when negotiating compliance schedules with the EPA. Getting it right matters.
Two Webinars, Two Chances to Be Heard
The EPA is hosting two public stakeholder engagement webinars to gather feedback on the FCA Guidance. Both run from 1:00 to 2:30 PM Eastern Time and are open to anyone who wants to listen or speak.
- April 29, 2026 – Register here
- May 7, 2026 – Register here
Both webinars are virtual and conducted via webcast. You can attend to listen, or sign up to give oral comments directly to the EPA.
Want to Speak? Register by May 1
If you want to provide oral comments during the May 7 webinar, you need to register by May 1. Due to anticipated demand, comments will be limited to 3 to 5 minutes – so come prepared with a focused message.
All public commenters are also encouraged to submit written comments through the Federal eRulemaking portal at regulations.gov. Written comments carry weight and create a permanent record – don’t skip this step.
Why This Matters to H2O Partners
Communities across the Upper Ohio River Basin – in western Pennsylvania, eastern Ohio, and West Virginia – are among those most likely to be affected by how financial capability is assessed under the Clean Water Act. Many of our partner municipalities operate aging infrastructure with limited rate bases. The flexibility built into this guidance can mean the difference between a workable compliance schedule and one that breaks a community’s budget.
H2O Water Network encourages partners – especially municipal water and wastewater authorities, conservation districts, and watershed organizations – to attend these webinars and make their voices heard.
Register Now
- April 29, 2026 – 1:00 to 2:30 PM ET
https://usepa.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/BJQ1QwCAR_qV5ey5u_OyjA#/registration - May 7, 2026 – 1:00 to 2:30 PM ET (register by May 1 to give oral comments)
https://usepa.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/xEIEZ6vARuKXz4SE5ZbXrQ#/registration
Questions about how this guidance affects your community or organization? Reach out to the H2O Water Network team at h2owaternetwork.org/contact.
