by Brianna Crandall — October 31, 2016 — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has just announced a package of tools to help communities plan long-term strategies for managing stormwater pollution, which it says increasingly threatens public health and the environment. EPA’s tools promote the use of flexible solutions that spur economic growth, stimulate investments in critical infrastructure, help meet water quality objectives, and aid in compliance with environmental requirements.
The package of stormwater planning tools includes a step-by-step guide to help communities develop long-term stormwater plans, a Web-based toolkit for the planning process, and technical assistance for five communities to develop plans as national models. This approach was built on input from states, communities, industry, academia, and nonprofits.
“When communities link the timing and implementation of stormwater projects with broader planning activities, they can reduce costs and support more sustainable local development,” says Joel Beauvais, deputy assistant administrator for the Office of Water.
Initially the draft guide will be utilized by five communities selected for $150,000 each in technical assistance to develop long-term stormwater management plans:
- Burlington, Iowa
- Chester, Pennsylvania
- Hattiesburg, Mississippi
- Rochester, New Hampshire
- Santa Fe, New Mexico
These communities will also be the beta testers for EPA’s Web-based toolkit, which will be refined and released more broadly next year.
According to EPA, each year, billions of gallons of runoff laden with trash, nutrients, metals, and other pollutants flow into waterways. Stormwater runoff is one of the fastest growing sources of pollution across the country, and it can overwhelm wastewater systems and overflow sewers. Many cities have utilized green infrastructure as part of a comprehensive, long-term approach to managing stormwater.
Communities are finding that the benefits from such approaches go well beyond helping to meet regulatory requirements and actually turn hazards into opportunities, adds EPA. Comprehensive, long-term stormwater planning can guide smart investments by tying together multiple community objectives like street improvements, outdoor open spaces, greenways and recreation areas, as well as community revitalization.
For more information visit EPA’s Stormwater Planning Web page.
