Roadmap! Taking Integrated Planning for Municipal Wastewater and Stormwater on the Road

Current Clean Water Act regulations affecting municipal wastewater and stormwater discharges inhibit collective efforts as individual stakeholders are forced to address rigid and narrowly focused regulations. EPA’s Integrated Municipal Stormwater and Wastewater Planning Approach Framework (EPA, 2012) applies systems thinking based on a one water principle, coupled with local accountability. A more effective one-water regulatory framework can create more economical and sustainable outcomes that result in better overall water quality. Integrated planning is a concept that supports prioritization of capital investments in all forms of water infrastructure designed to protect human health and the environment, and to incorporate societal objectives in the most cost-effective, affordable way. Integrated planning also provides more coordination and up-front planning at the local level along with local stakeholder accountability. The result is less overall cost to achieve ultimate goals, compliance with regulations, and successful outcomes. While the framework has existed for a decade and is now part of the Clean Water Act, less than 0.5 percent of municipalities are taking advantage of it.