In accordance with 5 CFR 1320, the information collection is approved for three years. The agency is required to display the OMB Control Number and inform respondents of its legal significance in accordance with 5 CFR 1320.5(b).
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
03/31/2029
36 Months From Approved
03/31/2026
10,350
0
5,405
13,342
0
9,645
0
0
0
The Clean Watersheds Needs Survey (CWNS) is required by Clean Water Act (CWA) Sections 205(a) and 516. It is a periodic inventory of existing and planned publicly owned wastewater conveyance and treatment facilities, combined sewer overflow correction, stormwater management and other water pollution control facilities in the United States, as well as an estimate of how many of these facilities need to be built. The CWNS is a joint effort between EPA and the states. The CWNS collects cost and technical data from states that are associated with publicly owned treatment works and other water pollution control facilities, existing and planned. The respondents who provide this information to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or Agency) are state agencies responsible for environmental pollution control and local facility contacts who provide documentation to the states. Periodically, the states request data or documentation from contacts at the facility or local government level. These respondents are referred to as facilities.
No confidential information is used, nor is sensitive information protected from release under the Public Information Act. EPA achieves national consistency in the final results through the application of uniform guidelines and validation techniques.
The prior burden approved by OMB (0318.13) was an annual burden of 9,645 hours and an annual cost of $505,004 for non-Agency respondents. This ICR estimates an annual burden increase of 3,698 hours and $294,204 in costs, for a total of 13,342 hours and $799,208 in cost. This adjustment is based upon an increase in facility universe (likely due to the higher response rate in the previous survey), as well as an adjustment in labor rates and benefits. The prior ICR estimated that states would submit only half of their facilities (16,048). The majority of the states submitted most of their facilities in 2022 (30,881), almost doubling the estimated facility universe.
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:
(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;
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.
0318.14 - 60-Day Notice (89 FR 17464).pdf
0318ssb14.docx
States & Territories