Stormwater Management: The Future is Now

Posted November 30, 2009

By Tyler Richards

Deputy Director of Operations, Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources

Not long ago, when utility managers heard ‘stormwater management,’ they probably thought about drainage and flooding , I know I did. But managing stormwater today involves so much more, especially given its impacts on water quality and local streams. Trends related to climate change, urban sprawl, and fertilizer/pesticide use all affect stormwater management, which will play an increasing complex role in preserving and enhancing the water environment, WEF is focusing resources to meet this growing challenge.

Wastewater managers are now expanding their jurisdictions to manage stormwater. Total maximum daily loads are better defining storm water impacts in watersheds. And stormwater concerns may even impact utility permit compliance. There are huge opportunities to help water and wastewater utility managers more effectively address storm water issues, including emerging EPA initiatives on revising storm water regulations.

Past President Rebecca West and President Paul Freedman asked me to chair a new Stormwater Task Force to focus WEF resources and activities related to stormwater. I’m enthusiastic about our challenge to look at stormwater from all aspects and come up with a comprehensive plan for stormwater programming at WEF. Numerous related efforts like technical sessions, papers, workshops, and the Federation’s upcoming comments to EPA continue to attract interest and support here at WEF. We are reviewing and prioritizing all of them with an eye toward increased effectiveness while solidifying and expanding the stormwater knowledge base for water quality professionals.

EPA is considering regulatory changes that would significantly expand the reach of the stormwater permit program, and no doubt this will impact municipal managers. Those changes may also help to level the playing field to provide more equitable regulation of point and nonpoint sources of impairment. Our members need to be involved in the regulatory process, and WEF member expertise in asset and utility management will also be essential in developing and delivering programs that stormwater managers will need. We’d appreciate your feedback, so please take a moment to post a comment on stormwater needs from your perspective.

01/20/2010 Stormwater Management: The Future is Now  ()   Posted November 30, 2009 Not long ago, when utility managers heard ‘stormwater management,’ they probably thought about drainage and flooding , I know I did. But managing stormwater today involves so much more, especially given its impacts on water quality and local streams. Trends related to climate change, urban sprawl, and fertilizer/pesticide use all affect stormwater management, which will play an increasing complex role in preserving and enhancing the water environment, WEF is focusing resources to meet this growing challenge. Comments (6) I love to read from your work. Keep up Tyler. This is awesome. Bookmarked. Posted by: Melinda (mingis2009@yahoo.com) on 07/15/2011 I agree with your point of view Tyler. Keep up, I love the way you write. Makes me spend more time reading than before. Posted by: Mayaking (king.maya@yahoo.com) on 07/15/2011 I didn't know these details. Thanks Tyler, while reading your article i had a big pleasure of the new information i discovered throught your article. Posted by: stephanies (stefania.costea@yahoo.com) on 07/15/2011 Thanks for posting. I like your distinction when you speak about water drainage. Posted by: mike (mike@gmail.com) on 09/07/2011 Interesting read. Thanks for putting this together. Posted by: todd (tom@gmail.com) on 09/07/2011 While some of the points made within this article are a bit controversial for my sensibilities, I have to say that I respect your views in no small way. Posted by: john7334 (mceachernjohn@gmail.com) on 09/29/2011