Clean Watersheds Needs Survey (CWNS) (Renewal)

Forms and Documents

Forms and supporting documents for this ICR

Document	Type	Status	Availability
0318.14 - 60-Day Notice (89 FR 17464).pdf	Supplementary Document	Uploaded 2026-03-04	Available
0318ssb14.docx	Supporting Statement B	Uploaded 2024-10-09	Available
0318ssb14.docx	Supporting Statement B	Uploaded 2024-10-09	Repair queued
0318ss14 - V2.docx	Supporting Statement A	Uploaded 2026-03-23	Available
0318ss14.docx	Supporting Statement A	Uploaded 2024-10-09	Repair queued

IC Document Collections

Information collection document groups

IC ID	Collection	Type	Status	Form
23592	States & Territories	Other-Other: System Screenshots: CWNS Data Entry Portal & Small	Modified
182589	Facilities	Other-System Screenshots: CWNS Data Entry Portal & Small POTW Sa	Modified

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 2040-0050	ICR Reference No: 202410-2040-005
Status: Active	Previous ICR Reference No: 202109-2040-001
Agency/Subagency: EPA/OW	Agency Tracking No: 0318.14
Title: Clean Watersheds Needs Survey (CWNS) (Renewal)
Type of Information Collection: Extension without change of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action: Approved with change	Conclusion Date: 03/23/2026
Retrieve Notice of Action (NOA)	Date Received in OIRA: 10/31/2024
Terms of Clearance: 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).

table that charts list comparision

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	03/31/2029	36 Months From Approved	03/31/2026
Responses	10,350	0	5,405
Time Burden (Hours)	13,342	0	9,645
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0

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Abstract: 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.

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Authorizing Statute(s): PL: Pub.L. 33 - 1 205 Name of Law: Clean Water Act Section 205
   PL: Pub.L. 33 - 2 516 Name of Law: Clean Water Act Section 516
  

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
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	89 FR 17464	03/11/2024
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	89 FR 83009	10/15/2024
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? Yes

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

table that charts list of burden

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
Facilities
States & Territories

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ICR Summary of Burden

table that charts list 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	10,350	5,405	0	0	4,945	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	13,342	9,645	0	0	3,697	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0	0	0	0

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

Burden Increase Due to:

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

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: 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.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $1,419,197

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? Yes Part B of Supporting Statement

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: 10/31/2024

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