The STEPP Program Stormwater Equipment Manufacturers Association Perspective

The STEPP Program: Stormwater Equipment Manufacturers Association Perspective ITRC Annual Meeting – Stormwater Group 21 April 2016 Bloomington, IL

Background �Implementation of NPDES regulations drove the need for development of effective BMP solutions �Private entrepreneurship combined with scientific findings created a variety of manufactured solutions �Evolution of wastewater control structures �Adaptation of drainage structures �Adaptation of spill control structures �Etc

Background (cont’d) �Widespread inconsistencies in solution applications & evaluations due to variability in regional needs � Pollutants of concern � City/State program interpretation of federal/state standards � Rainfall and runoff characteristics � Regional geological differences � Entrenched regional drainage design practices � 2008 - SWEMA founded by industry leaders and organizations

Who We Are �Membership Composition �Manufacturing, Maintenance, Associate, Professional �Committees �Government Affairs and Regulatory Comm. (GARC) �Marketing �Maintenance, �Technical (T-Comm) �Low Impact Development (LID)

Our Mission “ To be the leader in advocating sustainable and effective solutions for stormwater quality through educational outreach to regulators, design professionals, developers, and other stakeholders in clean water initiatives. ”

Key Core Values �Manufactured products have an important place in the systematic treatment of flows entering our waterways �All stormwater treatment practices should be evaluated utilizing a balanced and rational approach for performance and long term sustainability �Emerging technologies must have a meaningful path for acceptance through testing and pilot projects �Keep one’s eye on the ball – we all have something to offer in improving the quality of our waterways

More About SWEMA www. stormwaterassociation. org

Background/Issues �Inconsistent Standards Nationally � 50 States, 1 District, Various Territories �Little to no program consistency �Stormwater monitoring is both challenging and expensive �Laboratory vs. Field Testing �Field studies range from $200 - $500 K �Lab studies tend to be more economic, less variability, etc. less risk �Challenge is whether reflective of real world conditions

Background/Issues � Intermittent Lack of National Leadership � Past National Reciprocity Efforts Have Fallen Short of Program Goals and Objectives (i. e. ETV, TARP) � Negative Impacts � Private Sector � � Increased Expenses to Address Numerous Programs High barrier to market entry Difficulty finding investment (high risk, low return) Negative incentive to “innovate” � Public Sector � � � Inability to Accurately Compare BMP Performance Inefficiency Due to Duplication Dearth of “tools in toolbox” = Death by 10, 000 Paper Cuts

Current Evaluation Programs in the US

The Need �Ability to Apply Evaluation Programs Nationally �National Leadership and Backing by EPA and Jurisdictions �Consistency in Monitoring Evaluation �Transparency in Program Implementation

Efforts to Date �SWEMA began conversations with EPA HQ Staff in Summer 2012 �Office of Research & Development �Senior Advisor to the Administrator (Office of Water) �SWEMA Members Participated in 2012 -2015 WEFTEC Discussions led by Water Environment Federation (WEF)

STEPP Workgroup �WEF formed the Stormwater Testing and Evaluation for Product and Practices (STEPP) workgroup in spring, 2013 �Consists of approximately 50 members from stakeholder community �Investigating a national program – white paper �Program framework whitepaper – Spring 2016 �Go to www. wef. org/STEPP for more information

Recommendations/Conclusions �Consensus that a national testing and evaluation program is needed, feasible �Agreement that state regulatory agencies participation & acceptance is vital �Both proprietary products and public-domain practices should be included �Participation, buy-in is needed from other professional organizations, NGOs, and state/regional stormwater organizations

Recommendations/Conclusions �A common protocol for both testing/evaluation (technical) and programmatic/process needs to be developed �The current WA Dept of Ecology and NJDEP programs are the leading programs for field and lab verification in the nation �Development of an implementation plan and associated business plan is needed to determine logistical and financial sustainability �Other national efforts (ASTM, ITRC, etc) would best serve all industry stakeholders if aligned

QUESTIONS Lisa Lemont, CPSWQ SWEMA Gov’t Affairs & Regulatory Committee Co-Chair llemont@hydro-int. com ?