EPA RELEASES NEW WASTEWATER PLANNING FRAMEWORK

EPA RELEASES NEW WASTEWATER PLANNING FRAMEWORK

On June 12, the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) released its final Integrated Stormwater and Wastewater Planning Approach Framework. This framework is meant to help municipalities develop their plan to comply with the Clean Water Act (“CWA”) in relation to its wastewater infrastructure. Generally, the framework relates to improvements necessary to prevent sewer overflows and other pollution releases.

This is important to businesses which have wastewater and other permits to use municipal wastewater systems because the framework allows municipalities to modify permits, plans and enforcement orders in a more flexible manner. As such, municipalities will have more flexibility to modify plans to suit their needs, rather than being locked into long-term plans. This can affect a wastewater system user’s business plan for CWA permit compliance.

Companies working with municipalities should recognize that municipalities will not suspend current permit and implementation activities while an integrated plan under this new framework is being developed. However, stakeholders should take steps to be involved in the development of a municipalities’ plan under this framework. If you or your clients use municipal wastewater services, keep an eye on any plan your municipality is developing under this framework to ensure you will be able to remain in compliance with your CWA permit.