The Environmental Protection Agency has revised the Clean Water Act's Waters of the United States rule in line with the Supreme Court's interpretation in the Sackett v. EPA case. The proposal would reduce federal protection for wetlands, safeguarding only 19% of mapped wetlands nationwide. States such as Arizona and Iowa would see especially steep drops in protected wetlands, and about half the states -- those lacking their own wetland regulations -- would be left with limited oversight.

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Twin Metals Minnesota subsidiary Franconia Minerals is seeking approval in Minnesota to pursue exploratory drilling at up to 19 sites near Birch Lake, Minn., near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Many environmental organizations have expressed concern over the initiative, noting that copper-nickel mining poses a greater risk of environmental harm than other forms of mining and could contribute to heavy metal contamination in the watershed.

Potable water reuse is becoming essential for Arizona as the state faces increasing water stress from drought and contaminants such as PFAS and arsenic. The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality is advancing rules for direct potable reuse, allowing purified wastewater to supply drinking systems.

The US Department of Energy has allocated $25 million to support 10 projects focused on extracting critical minerals and nutrients from wastewater. The funding aims to advance technologies that can reinforce domestic supply chains for materials vital to the energy, electronics and manufacturing sectors. All technologies will be compatible with existing wastewater systems.

Winter Springs, Fla., has secured $19.2 million in federal funding to replace its aging wastewater treatment facilities. The money, administered through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's State Revolving Fund, will allow the city to begin construction on the east facility, expected to be completed in 2028 followed by the west facility in 2030.