Managing Storm Water in America's Cities

Here's a  press release from EPA on managing storm water in towns and cities. It's been a slow process, but cities are gradually moving toward avoiding wet weather discharges of untreated sewage and runoff. This guidance is intended to help with that process. 

EPA Announces Framework to Help Local Governments Manage Stormwater Runoff and Wastewater EPA has issued a new framework to help local governments meet their Clean Water Act obligations. The Integrated Municipal Stormwater and Wastewater Planning Approach Framework assists EPA regional offices, states, and local governments to develop voluntary storm and wastewater management plans and implement effective integrated approaches that will protect public health by reducing overflows from wastewater systems and pollution from stormwater. In developing the framework, the EPA worked in close coordination with a variety of stakeholders, including publicly owned treatment works, state water permitting authorities, local governments, and nonprofit environmental groups. EPA's framework outlines new flexibility to pursue innovative, cost-saving solutions, like green infrastructure, and will help communities as they develop plans that prioritize their investments in storm and wastewater infrastructure. For more information: http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/integratedplans.cfm