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. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently announced a package of tools to help communities plan for that long-term approach. It 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.

“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. “As stormwater increasingly threatens public health and the environment, EPA can help communities integrate stormwater management with broader plans for growing their economies, investing in critical infrastructure and meeting their water quality objectives.”

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.

For more information, visit www.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater-planning.