While stormwater runoff has been regulated for over 20 years in the U.S., there is an increased recognition of the growing impacts of stormwater-driven pollution that has spurred a renewed interest in addressing this issue. The recent rulemaking effort by EPA to develop a national performance standard for the treatment of stormwater runoff reflects this renewed interest. While this regulatory action has been officially deferred, EPA has been consistent in their stated intention to strengthen the existing regulatory stormwater program. Accordingly, it is expected that MS4 permits will continue to become more stringent and robust. With this in mind, municipalities and other regulated entities are in need of the necessary tools to meet the needs of the stormwater sector.
With the recent demise of the EPA Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) program, there is a vacuum of leadership at the national level regarding national testing programs for environmental technologies. In an attempt to meet the stormwater sector’s needs, Water Environment Federation (WEF) is currently leading an initiative focused on the creation of a national program for testing and evaluation of treatment practices and manufactured stormwater treatment products. This initiative, referred to as STEPP (Stormwater Testing and Evaluation for Products and Practices), is partially funded by the U.S. EPA Office of Science and Technology and includes support from the Association of Clean Water Administrators (ACWA). A final report, which will include program recommendations, is scheduled to be completed by October 2015.
More information on WEF's efforts including the release of a white paper and a webcast recording, can be found at: http://www.wef.org/STEPP/
The purpose of this survey is to reach out to MS4 communities for input on significant aspects of testing/evaluation and/or approved product list/program administration associated with the stormwater sector.
This survey is targeted to those who lead or administer approved product lists and/or programs related to stormwater management products and practices. If this does not fit your profile, please feel free to forward this survey along to those who you think would better fit this background. If your community does not have such a program, please respond to the second question in the negative.
This survey is comprised of 15 total questions and it is estimated to take 10-15 minutes to complete this survey.
Thank you for your time and consideration!