The
Water Quality Investment Act of 2009 (H.R.
1262), approved March 20, 2009, renews the federal government’s commitment
to clean water by authorizing $13.8 billion over the next five years for the
Clean Water State Revolving Fund and $2.5 billion for EPA grants to address
combined sewage overflows and storm sewer overflows.
This action provides financial
resources for the Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Long Term Control Plans. The
measure encourages green infrastructure or low-impact development approaches to
wastewater treatment to take advantage of less expensive and more efficient
natural processes.
Earlier in the week, the House Water Resources and
Environment Subcommittee heard a testimony on how to reduce barriers to
adopting green infrastructure technologies for use as an additional method of
reducing stormwater runoff to sewer systems.
In an attempt to reduce the
costs to local governments and building owners, the subcommittee examined simple
low-impact development technology solutions. These solutions are expected to
significantly reduce costs. These green technologies include: green roofs,
increased tree cover, disconnecting downspouts, and adding more green space for
enhanced infiltration and evaporation processes.
Green technologies for
controlling stormwater runoff will be featured in multiple tracks at StormCon
Anaheim ’09. In addition, we have a two-day
pre-conference workshop on Sunday, August 16, and Monday, August 17, 2009,
both from 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Low-Impact Development: Introduction,
Applications, and Technical Implementation (1.0 Continuing Education
Unit).
This workshop
will provide an in-depth introduction to the economic benefits, ecological
goals, planning techniques, design principles, analytical methodologies, and
implementation strategies and monitoring results of LID techniques for urban
stormwater management. Attendees will gain a thorough technical understanding of
how to apply integrated LID management practices to meet local watershed
protection and water resources restoration protection goals and regulatory
requirements.
Be sure to take advantage
of our early bird
registration and reserve a spot for this workshop and other valuable classes
at this very important event.