CWA and SDWA Data Collection of Resource Needs for Utilities During the COVID-19 National Emergency

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status
OW Emergency ICR COVID 19-CWA SDWA_05.29.2020.cb.ck.pdf Supporting Statement A	2020-06-01

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status
242059	CWA and SDWA Data Collection of Resource Needs for Utilities During the COVID-19 National Emergency - CWS	New
242058	CWA and SDWA Data Collection of Resource Needs for Utilities During the COVID-19 National Emergency - POTWs	New

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 2040-0301	ICR Reference No: 202006-2040-001
Status: Historical Active	Previous ICR Reference No:
Agency/Subagency: EPA/OW	Agency Tracking No: 2625.01
Title: CWA and SDWA Data Collection of Resource Needs for Utilities During the COVID-19 National Emergency
Type of Information Collection: New collection (Request for a new OMB Control Number)	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Emergency	Approval Requested By: 06/05/2020
OIRA Conclusion Action: Approved without change	Conclusion Date: 06/02/2020
	Date Received in OIRA: 06/01/2020
Terms of Clearance: In accordance with 5 CFR 1320.13, this information collection is approved for 6 months as an emergency clearance to enable EPA to obtain information from the water sector for COVID-19 related needs. If the Agency decides to continue use of the collection past the approved emergency clearance time period, it must resubmit an ICR to OMB under the normal PRA clearance process.

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	12/31/2020	6 Months From Approved
Responses	6,000	0	0
Time Burden (Hours)	21,000	0	0
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0

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Abstract: Section 1445 of the SDWA states that public water systems (PWSs) shall conduct monitoring, maintain records, and provide information as needed to implement their monitoring and enforcement responsibilities with respect to the Act. In addition, the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program, established under CWA Section 402, is an important tool for controlling pollutant discharges. The CWA authorizes the Agency to issue permits for the discharge of pollutants to waters of the United States, and the Agency uses the NPDES program to regulate point source discharges. Under both the SDWA and the CWA, the EPA has the authority to collect certain data from drinking water and wastewater treatment facilities; however, the EPA has determined that existing provisions of the monitoring, recordkeeping, and reporting provisions at Section 1445 of SDWA and Section 402 of the CWA are insufficient to obtain the data necessary and in a timely manner to address drinking water and waste water issues related to the novel COVID-19 national emergency. This ICR addresses data from the water utilities and associated chemical and other manufacturing sectors to answer questions regarding potential shortages in their supply chains. Respondents would be water utilities like PWSs of all sizes, Publicly-Owned Treatment Works (POTWs), and other entities that manufacture, produce, and/or supply products, equipment, and services used by PWSs and POTWs.

Emergency Justfication: The U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requests an emergency information collection request (ICR) under the Clean Water Act (CWA) and the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) that will enable us to rapidly obtain information from the water sector for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) related needs. As a result of COVID-19, the water utility sector is facing potential supply chain, workforce, and revenue shortages. The EPA needs to collect data quickly to assess whether water sector utilities have sufficient resources to continue their operations and provide safe drinking water and wastewater treatment during the COVID-19 national emergency and while America reopens. In accordance with the implementing regulations of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), the EPA is requesting emergency review under 5 CFR 1320.13(a)(2)(i) because public harm is reasonably likely to result if the regular clearance procedures were followed. Additionally, this request for an emergency ICR is consistent with 5 CFR 1320.13(a)(2)(ii), “an unanticipated event has occurred.”

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Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 42 USC 300f et seq Name of Law: Safe Drinking Water Act
   US Code: 33 USC 1251 et seq Name of Law: Clean Water Act
  

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

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Federal Register Notices & Comments

Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 2

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
CWA and SDWA Data Collection of Resource Needs for Utilities During the COVID-19 National Emergency - POTWs
CWA and SDWA Data Collection of Resource Needs for Utilities During the COVID-19 National Emergency - CWS

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ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Approved	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	6,000	0	0	6,000	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	21,000	0	0	21,000	0	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0	0	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Increase Due to: Miscellaneous Actions

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: This is a new emergency information collection request (ICR) under the Clean Water Act (CWA) and the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) that will enable us to rapidly obtain information from the water sector for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) related needs.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $0

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see OMB Circular No. A-130 for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see 5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3))? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? No

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Common Form ICR:  No

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On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).

The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:

(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;

(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;

(c) It reduces burden on small entities;

(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;

(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;

(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;

(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:

(i) Why the information is being collected;

(ii) Use of information;

(iii) Burden estimate;

(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);

(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and

(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;

(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.

(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and

(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.

If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.

Certification Date: 06/01/2020

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