(May 14, 2019) - The Water Environment Federation (WEF) hosted its inaugural Stormwater and Green Infrastructure Symposium last week in Fort Lauderdale, FL. During the technical sessions, EPA gave a financing update, and stated that the expert consultants to help advise and inform the Environmental Financial Advisory Board (EFAB) workgroup on stormwater funding should be finalized this week.

In addition, EPA held an informal roundtable meeting for stormwater professionals present in Fort Lauderdale to weigh in on the core overarching questions posed by the America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 – the most recent iteration of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). For example, EPA inquired generally about the current funding for stormwater at all levels of government and the private sector, and how to leverage sufficient dollars for financing meaningful stormwater projects that also include ensuring long-term operation and maintenance costs.

Concerns were raised as to how EPA seeks to define “stormwater," whether EPA is looking to narrow this effort to include water quality issues (e.g., municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4s), combined sewers, and separate sewer systems), or if this effort also includes water quantity matters with increased precipitation events, extreme flooding, and climate resiliency.

EPA should make the formal announcement regarding the stormwater workgroup later this week, and the first in-person meeting will be held in Washington, DC on June 6. If members have questions, please contact Emily Remmel, NACWA’s Director of Regulatory Affairs.