OFFICE OF WASTEWATER ASTEWATER 

MANAGEMENT ANAGEMENT 

2013 ANNUAL REPORT 
                                       

                                         

                             

                         

                       

                                 

                              

                                 

                              

                           

                              

                 

                                

                           

                           

                                  

                          

                     

                          

                                         

                          

                             

                               

   

                               

                            

                                   

             

                     

                   

                           

             

                               

                          

  

       

     

Message from the Director 

As I take the helm as Director of EPA’s Office of Wastewater Management (OWM), I am pleased for the opportunity to

work together with our knowledgeable and dedicated staff and partners to carry on the vital work of this office. I am

excited about our efforts to advance OWM’s mission through collaboration, new partnerships, dialogue among our

various stakeholders, and new ideas derived from OWM’s engaged colleagues. Dynamic engagement of essential

stakeholders is critical to our mission of safeguarding and maintaining our nation’s waterways.

This report highlights OWM’s many efforts in fiscal year 2013 to promote effective and responsible water use, treat‐

ment, disposal, and management and to encourage the protection and restoration of our water resources.

As you will see, OWMʹs programs include a variety of regulatory, voluntary, and funding programs designed to

make a difference in communities across this nation. We deliver resources, guidance, and pollution control require‐

ments that protect human health and aquatic ecosystems, reduce flooding, and protect this nationʹs infrastructure

investment. Our focus on long‐term sustainability of our water environment and the infrastructure that protects it

challenges the status quo and encourages innovation, efficiency, and collaborative problem‐solving.

OWMʹs programs support each of EPAʹs programmatic goals. We help this country mitigate and adapt to climate

change by promoting and funding water efficiency and green infrastructure, promoting and funding energy effi‐

ciency improvements at wastewater utilities, and using available data and new projections in permitting and fund‐

ing programs. We improve water quality through all of our programs, with a particular emphasis on the most trou‐

bling water quality concerns, including: nutrients, sediments, pathogens, and emerging contaminants. We also re‐

duce exposure to toxic chemicals through our permitting and pretreatment programs.

OWMʹs accomplishments would not be possible without our amazing staff or our many partners. Integrity, effi‐

ciency, and results have been a hallmark of OWM for the past decade and create the foundation on which we are

building our future. Through innovation, collaboration, and inclusion we are becoming more effective and more

efficient without sacrificing programmatic or personal integrity. By striving to improve clarity and inclusiveness of

our internal communications, we are working toward a more effective organization, person by person, team by

team.

By taking greater advantage of new technologies and techniques—from our use of social media to data automation

and management—we are working toward a more informed world. By identifying common goals and developing

joint workplans with an expanded base of partners, we have been able to leverage the diversity of talents, perspec‐

tives, and resources our many partnerships bring.

In 2014, OWM will continue to focus on innovative, collaborative, and forward‐thinking solutions—encouraging

and promoting green infrastructure approaches; integrated planning, wet weather management, and energy‐ and

water‐efficiency initiatives; and effective municipal financing mechanisms. Finally, we will continue our focus on

stakeholder collaboration—with environmental groups, livestock agriculture stakeholders, private sector groups,

local and municipal governments, and others—as we work with our partners from other federal agencies, states,

tribes, localities, the private sector, and nongovernmental organizations to clean and safeguard our waterways.

.

Andrew D. Sawyers, Ph.D.

Director, Office of Wastewater Management

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Table of Contents 

Message from the Director   2
 

About the Office of Wastewater Management   4‐5
 

2013 Program Highlights   6
 

Results Areas
 

       

Clean Water State Revolving Fund Program   7
 

WaterSense Program  8
 

Municipal Program  9
 

Industrial Program  10
 

Rural Program  11
 

State and Regional Permitting Program  12
 

State and Tribal Water Pollution Control Grants  13
 

ustainable Water Infrastructure Management Program  14
 

Sustainable Communities Program  15
 

S

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About the Office of Wastewater Management 

Clean Water is the goal of all OWM programs. Through its programs and initiatives, OWM promotes compliance with the

requirements of the Clean Water Act. Overall, OWM’s programs are designed to ensure our surface waters protect public

health, support economic and recreational activities, and provide a healthy habitat for fish, plants, and wildlife. OWM sup‐

ports EPA’s goals for clean and safe water and healthy communities and ecosystems.

While OWM helps regulate and promote effective and responsible wastewater treatment, our

programs consist of more than just wastewater management:

	 Over the past 25 years, the Clean Water State Revolving Fund programs have provided
 

more than $100 billion in funding to support more than 33,320 low‐interest loans for
 

wastewater treatment, control of nonpoint source pollution, and estuary protection.
 

	 Through WaterSense, OWM is helping to raise national awareness of water as a valu‐

able resource; encourage water efficiency among utilities, manufacturers, retailers, and consumers; and
 

make it easy for consumers to find products and services that save water while ensuring product per‐

formance. To date, the WaterSense program has helped save consumers more than 487 billion gallons of
 

water and over $8.9 billion in water and energy bills.
 

	 Under its Sustainable Water Infrastructure Program, OWM is promoting wide‐

spread adoption of better utility management practices, water efficiency practices,
 

effective energy management, full‐cost pricing, and watershed approaches to reduce
 

costs and increase system investments.
 

	 Through its Sustainable Communities Program, OWM is targeting technical and
 

financial assistance with its partners to support water infrastructure development that will reduce health
 

risks and increase economic opportunity for small, underserved communities that face a disproportionate
 

lack of access to safe water or to safe and sustainable wastewater treatment.
 

	 The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Program controls water pollution by regulating
 

point sources that discharge pollutants into our surface waters. In FY 2013, under the NPDES program,
 

permits that implemented Clean Water Act requirements for industrial sources, municipal
 

treatment plants, and stormwater management prevented the discharge of an estimated 223
 

billion pounds of pollutants into U.S. waterways.
 

	 OWM’s Green Infrastructure initiative focuses attention on an approach to wet weather
 

management that treats stormwater as a valuable resource rather than as a problem. It pro‐

motes the use of green roofs, rain gardens, porous pavements, and other techniques that
 

result in improved water and air quality, energy and costs savings, enhanced water sup‐

plies, habitat creation, and source water protection.
 

	 OWM’s State and Tribal Water Pollution Control (Section 106) Grants program provides federal assis‐

tance to states, territories, interstate agencies, and eligible tribes to establish and implement ongoing wa‐

ter pollution control programs. This financial assistance helps these entities build and sustain effective
 

water quality programs that ensure the current and future health of our nation’s water bodies.
 

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The Office of Wastewater Management ‘s mission is to help meet the nation’s clean water goals by ensuring that appro‐

priate regulatory standards, voluntary management approaches, information, financial resources, and technical assis‐

tance are provided to states, tribes, communities, and regulated entities. OWM and its staff of more than 100 employ‐

ees promote effective and responsible water use, treatment, disposal, and management and encourage the protection

and restoration of watersheds.

In FY 2013, OWM’s programs, including state and tribal assistance, accounted for over $1.6 billion, or more than 20% of

EPA’s budget.

The Office of Wastewater Management comprises an Immediate Office of the Director; the Water Permits Division

(WPD); the Municipal Support Division (MSD); and the Planning, Information and Resources Management Staff

(PIRMS).

The Municipal Support Division manages the Clean Water State Revolving Fund program, assists small communi‐

ties and Indian tribes, U.S./Mexico border communities, and Alaska Native Villages, and implements special appro‐

priations acts projects. Through the WaterSense program, MSD promotes a national ethic of water efficiency and mar‐

ket enhancement for water‐efficient products, programs, and practices. The Division works with partners to promote

sustainable wastewater infrastructure and improve wastewater management. The Division also maintains and regu‐

larly updates inventories and cost estimates of existing and needed future municipal wastewater treatment works

and capital investments to meet the goals of the Clean Water Act. In addition, the Division publishes technical infor‐

mation about conventional and innovative municipal wastewater collection systems and treatment technologies and

provides support and technical assistance to states, industry, and homeowners to promote the proper management of

on‐site and decentralized wastewater systems nationwide.

The Water Permits Division provides national program direction to the NPDES permit, pretreatment, and sewage

sludge management programs under the Clean Water Act. WPD develops regulations, policy, guidance, and national

strategies related to NPDES permits; manages national implementation of the NPDES program; and oversees Re‐

gional and state operations. The Division also coordinates with the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance

to promote compliance with NPDES requirements, and with the Office of Science and Technology in the development

of national standards for point sources and indirect dischargers.

The Program, Information and Resource Management Staff serves as the staff office to the Office Director and leads

a wide range of functions for the office, handling matters relating to policy, budget, administration, information man‐

agement, strategic planning, communications, technology, regulatory development, and legislation. PIRMS also is

tasked with managing the State and Tribal Water Pollution Control Grants program, which provides assistance to

states, interstate agencies, and eligible tribes to establish and implement ongoing water pollution control programs.

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2013 Program Highlights 

Helping Communities Address Their Water Quality Needs: The Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) Pro‐

gram Turns 25 — For two and a half decades, the Clean Water State Revolving Fund program has helped communities throughout

the nation meet the goals of the Clean Water Act by improving water quality, achieving and maintaining compliance with environ‐

mental laws, protecting aquatic wildlife, protecting and restoring drinking water sources, and preserving our nation’s waters for

recreational use. Building on a federal investment of over $37.4 billion, the state CWSRFs have provided more than $100 billion in

funding to communities to ensure public health, protect valuable aquatic resources, and meet environmental standards. The more

than 32,800 low‐interest loans to approximately 4,880 communities have provided benefits to hundreds of millions of people.

Protecting the Nation’s Waters from Ship‐borne Pollutants & Reducing Invasive Species — OWM issued a final vessel

general permit regulating discharges from commercial vessels, including ballast water, to protect the nationʹs waters from ship‐borne

pollutants and reduce invasive species in U.S. waters. The final vessel general permit covers commercial vessels greater than 79 feet

in length, excluding military and recreational vessels, and replaced the 2008 vessel general permit, which expired on Dec. 19, 2013.

This permit regulates 27 specific discharge categories, and improves the efficiency of the permit process and clarifies discharge re‐

quirements for vessel owners and operators.

Expanding Green Infrastructure through Information, Engagement, and Coordination — To help expand the use of

green infrastructure, OWM announced in October 2013 that EPA is allocating $400,000 in technical assistance for green infrastruc‐

ture projects to six communities—Providence, RI; Detroit, MI; Lincoln, NE; Gary, IN; Pima County, AZ; and Spartanburg, SC.

This technical assistance continues the Agency’s support for communities to encourage them to use green infrastructure to reduce

water pollution while increasing economic activity and neighborhood revitalization, job creation, energy savings, and open space.

In the last two years, EPA has provided $1.35 million in technical assistance for green infrastructure to more than 20 communities.

To share lessons learned from green infrastructure projects, EPA is releasing a series of reports highlighting the work of commu‐

nities that received technical assistance from EPA in 2012. In 2013, OWM also issued the EPA’s 2013 Green Infrastructure Strategy,

which focuses on improved federal coordination, Clean Water Act regulatory support, research and information exchange, fund‐

ing and financing, and capacity building; and it announced the winners of its first‐ever Campus RainWorks Challenge, which is

designed to inspire the next generation of architects, planners, and engineers to develop innovative green infrastructure solutions.

Enabling Commercial Kitchens to Become More Water Efficient — OWM has finalized the first WaterSense specification

for a commercial kitchen product, enabling pre‐rinse spray valves—which remove excess food waste from dishes prior to dishwash‐

ing—to earn the WaterSense label and help food service establishments save water, energy, and money. Pre‐rinse spray valves can

account for nearly one‐third of the water used in a typical commercial kitchen. EPA estimates that approximately 51 billion gallons

of water is used every year to rinse dishes by close to one million food service establishments in the country. If every U.S. commer‐

cial food service establishment installed and used a WaterSense labeled pre‐rinse spray valve, we could save more than 10 billion

gallons of water, and more than $225 million in water and energy costs annually across the country.

Launching SepticSmart to Encourage Proper Septic System Care & Maintenance — In FY 2013, OWM launched Sep‐

ticSmart, a nation‐wide public education initiative to inform homeowners with septic systems about the importance of properly

maintaining their septic system, helping to prevent the release of pollutants and protect public health and the quality of the nation’s

waters. The initiative also provides resources for local organizations and government leaders to help promote this message locally.

Helping Small & Rural Wastewater Systems Develop Sustainable Managment Solution — OWM and EPA’s Office of

Groundwater and Drinking Water (OGWDW), together with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Rural Development –

Rural Utilities Service, has launched a suite of tools to help small and rural water and wastewater systems assess their management

effectiveness and chart a course for improvement for system sustainability.

Developing Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Strategies for the NPDES Program — OWM and EPA’s Office

of Civil Enforcement worked together to develop strategies for the NPDES permit program to address a number of climate change‐

related challenges. Clarity is needed for NPDES permit writers and permittees who are faced with a variety of challenges and oppor‐

tunities. Changes in precipitation, runoff and stream flows, temperatures, sea level rise and water level drops in other water bodies

all presage the need for adaptation and resilience mechanisms, including new approaches to estimating low flows for effluent limit

calculations or planning for outfall placement as water levels rise or fall. Simultaneously, there are a variety of wastewater treatment

alternatives that provide robust mitigation opportunities, such as green infrastructure for wet weather, and methane capture and

biogas production for publicly owned treatment works and concentrated animal feeding operations. OWM has completed a prelimi‐

nary evaluation of climate change‐related implications for the NPDES program, and is partnering with internal and external collabo‐

rators on research, tools development, and support for permit writers and permitees.

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Clean Water State Revolving Fund Program 

Since the inception of the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF), the CWSRFs have helped communities throughout the nation meet

the goals of the Clean Water Act by improving water quality, achieving and maintaining compliance with environmental laws, protecting

aquatic wildlife, protecting and restoring drinking water sources, and preserving our nation’s waters for recreational use. In 2013, the

CWSRFs provided approximately $4.6 billion in financing through 1,477 assistance agreements.

25 Years of Supporting our Nation’s Water Infrastructure

Needs— For two and a half decades, this successful federal‐state

partnership has helped provide commu‐

nities a permanent, independent source

of low‐cost financing for a wide range of

water quality infrastructure projects.

Over half of the CWSRF assistance, $54.8

billion, has gone towards improving

wastewater treatment plants and ad‐

vanced wastewater treatment practices.

More than $23 billion has gone toward

addressing sanitary and combined sewer

overflows, and an additional $4.2 billion

has gone toward addressing nonpoint

sources of water pollution, such as stormwater runoff from urban

areas, and protecting and restoring our estuaries.

Through its Green Project Reserve, the CWSRFs have provided

more than $2.5 billion in funding for green infrastructure, water

efficiency improvements, energy efficiency improvements, and

other environmentally innovative activities since the reserve was

initiated in 2009.

CWRSFs Reach Historic $100 Billion Milestone — In 2013,

the CWSRFs reached a significant milestone by providing over

$100 billion in cumulative funding for projects that help commu‐

nities throughout the nation ensure public health, protect valuable

aquatic resources, and meet environmental standards. This re‐

markable level of assistance was due to the ability of the CWSRFs

to proceeds, sound investments, and loan repayments. For every

dollar that has been awarded to the CWSRF programs through

capitalization grants, nearly $2.80 has been committed to CWSRF

projects.

Cumulative CWSRF Funding Provided 1999-2013: 

Total Assistance vs. Federal Capitalization 

Dollars (in billions) 

Serving Small and Disadvantaged Communities — CWSRF

programs are able to provide low‐cost infrastructure financing

where it is needed most. States have the flexibility to fund small

systems and those serving disadvantaged communities, which

typically have fewer financing options. Since the program’s incep‐

tion, nearly $23.3 billion in CWSRF funding has been directed to

communities with a population of less than 10,000 for needed

wastewater infrastructure and other water quality projects. Starting

in 2009, the CWSRFs were given the ability to provide further fi‐

nancial assistance through additional subsidization. To date, over

$3.8 billion in additional subsidization has been provided to vari‐

ous communities in the form of principal forgiveness or grants.

Expanding Nontraditional Eligibilities: CWSRF Green

Paper — Building upon 25 years of outstanding performance, the

CWSRFs continue to explore ways for providing affordable finan‐

cial assistance to meet the

nation’s most pressing

needs while also maintain‐

ing the fiscal integrity of the

CWSRF programs. To sup‐

port these efforts, OWM has

revisited the previous work

that has been done on pro‐

moting nontraditional eligi‐

bilities to update them with

new, innovative ideas and to clarify various financing mechanisms

within the program. A draft is scheduled to be completed in early

2014.

Disaster Relief Appropriations Act Provides $474 Million

To Promotes Recovery and Resilience Within the CWSRF

Community — On January 29, 2013, the President of the United

States signed into law P.L 113‐2, a supplemental appropriation for

FY 2013. Included in this appropriation was the Disaster Relief

Appropriations Act (DRRA), which provided $474 million to EPA’s

Clean Water State Revolving Fund to finance projects that reduce

flood damage risk and enhance resiliency to rapid hydrologic

change or natural disasters at wastewater treatment works. Com‐

munities in New York and New Jersey are in the process of identi‐

fying projects and determining how federal and state relief funds

from different sources can best be allocated. As the DRRA funds

are distributed, EPA will work with federal and state partners to

focus financial resources where they can efficiently and success‐

fully adapt wastewater systems to the impact of climate change

and serve as a model for future disaster preparedness.

Year 

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 Wa t e r S e n s e P r o g r a m 

WaterSense is a national symbol for water efficiency among utilities, plumbing manufacturers, retailers, and consumers. WaterSense la‐

beled products and new homes have helped consumers save billions of gallons of water. Through December 2012, WaterSense has helped

consumers save a cumulative 487 billion gallons of water and over $8.9 billion in water and energy bills. Additionally, reductions of 64.7

billion kWh of electricity and 24 million metric tons of carbon dioxide were achieved through the use of WaterSense labeled products.

Best Management Practices for Commercial & Institu‐

tional Facilities — In November 2012, WaterSense released

WaterSense at Work: Best Management

Practices for Commercial and Institutional

Facilities to help facility owners, opera‐

tors, designers, and managers better un‐

derstand and manage their water use,

establish an effective water management

program, and identify products and

practices that can reduce water and en‐

ergy use. By taking steps to use less wa‐

ter, these facilities can save on operating

costs and get a green building edge.

WaterSense Labeled Units in Multi‐Family Buildings —

On January 1, 2013, homes in multi‐family buildings became eligi‐

ble for the WaterSense label. WaterSense labeled new homes allow

residents to enjoy the comforts of home while saving water and

energy inside and out by using WaterSense labeled plumbing fix‐

tures, efficient hot water systems, and low‐maintenance/water‐

smart landscapes. More than 200 families now live in WaterSense

labeled single family homes, apartments, and condominiums.

These residents can save up to 50,000 gallons of water annually and

up to $600 each year on their utility bills compared to residents

living in a traditional home.

Fifth Annual Fix‐A‐Leak Week—

WaterSense held its fifth annual Fix‐a‐

Leak Week, March 18 to 24, 2013, to en‐

courage Americans to conserve water by

checking water bills and fixtures for water

waste, twisting and tightening pipe and

hose connections, and considering replac‐

ing broken or inefficient fixtures with

WaterSense labeled models. Taking these

simple steps can save households more than 10,000 gallons of wa‐

ter and as much as 10% on utility bills annually.

First WaterSense Labeled Product Available for Commer‐

cial Kitchens — In September 2013, OWM finalized the first Wa‐

terSense specification for a commercial kitchen product. Pre‐rinse

spray valves—which remove excess food waste from dishes prior

to dishwashing—are now eligible to earn the WaterSense label and

help food service establishments save water, energy, and money.

Pre‐rinse spray valves can account for nearly one‐third of the water

used in a typical commercial kitchen. If every U.S. commercial food

service establishment installed and used a WaterSense labeled pre‐

rinse spray valve, we could save more than 10 billion gallons of

water, and more than $225 million in water and energy costs annu‐

ally across the country.

Revised Specifications for Professional Certification Pro‐

grams — In September 2013, OWM released a Draft Professional

Certification Program Labeling System, and three draft revised

specifications for professional certification programs. The draft

labeling system and revised specifications create a consolidated

and common set of requirements that complement and streamline

each of the WaterSense program specifications. Implementing such

changes will enable WaterSense to ensure both a base level of or‐

ganizational competency among professional certifying organiza‐

tions regardless of the type of professional certification program

that earns the WaterSense label and consistency in the evaluation

of professional certification programs.

2013 Partners of the Year — WaterSense has partnered with

more than 2,700 partners—manufacturers, retailers and distribu‐

tors, local and state governments, utilities, water districts, trade

associations, nonprofits, certified irrigation professionals, profes‐

sional certifying organizations, licensed certification providers, and

builders—to encourage water‐efficient behaviors and the purchase

of quality products that use less water. In 2013, WaterSense initi‐

ated its highest level of recognition by presenting recognized Sus‐

tained Excellence Awards to Kohler Co. and Lowes Inc. for their

continuous high level of support.

Seven partners were recognized as Partner of the Year:

 Promotional Partner of the Year:

Athens‐Clarke County (Georgia)

Public Utilities Department

 Large Manufacturer Partner of
 

the Year: Delta Faucet Company
 

 Small Manufacturer Partner of
 

the Year: Niagara Conservation
 

Corp.
 

 Retailer Partner of the Year: The

Home Depot

 Builder Partner of the Year: KB Home

 Professional Certifying Organization of the Year: The Irrigation

Association
 

 Irrigation Partner of the Year: John Taylor
 

WaterSense also presented six Excellence Awards, which recog‐

nize additional organizations and individuals whose support stood

out in one or more evaluation categories:

 Excellence in Promoting WaterSense Labeled Products: City of Boul‐

der (Colorado) Public Works/Utilities

 Excellence in Strategic Collaboration: Colorado Springs Utility
 

(Colorado)
 

 Excellence in Education and Outreach: Public Service Commission of

Wisconsin & Town of Sharon (Massachusetts)

 Excellence in Promoting WaterSense & Water‐Efficient Irrigation
 

Practices: Sonoma‐Marin (California) Saving Water Partnership
 

 Excellence in Construction of Affordable WaterSense Labeled New
 

Homes: Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver (Colorado)
 

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 Municipal Program 

Urban wet weather sources remain an important EPA priority because of the potential impacts on human health and the environment.

Stormwater is a source of water quality impairment for over 22,000 miles of river and streams, over 700,000 acres of lakes, and over 800

square miles of estuaries. Stormwater runoff is generated when precipitation does not percolate into the ground. As it flows, the runoff

collects debris, chemicals, and other pollutants and is discharged, often untreated, into the nation’s waters. Urban wet weather sources are

among the most significant sources of water pollution today that EPA can address through the Clean Water Act. In addition to the water

quality problems, stormwater runoff reduces groundwater recharge and can increase flooding and associated damage.

Strengthening Stormwater Program — EPA continues to

evaluate options for revising and strengthening its stormwater

program. The Agency conducted analyses to determine the costs

and benefits of establishing a retention‐based standard for new and

redeveloped projects, and met with stakeholders on numerous

occasions to obtain their input on possible rulemaking provisions.

Integrated Planning for Storm‐

water Management — During FY

2013, EPA worked with states, mu‐

nicipalities, and stakeholders to im‐

plement the integrated planning

framework that was finalized in FY

2012. EPA developed a Q&A docu‐

ment to clarify several aspects of the

framework, participated in work‐

shops sponsored by the National As‐

sociation of Clean Water Agencies,

and met with local governments and

other stakeholders to discuss how to consider a community’s finan‐

cial circumstances when developing schedules for integrated plans.

On January 18, 2013, EPA issued memorandum to the EPA Regions

that transmitted a financial capability framework document,

which identifies various implementation issues as well as some

more ways to present additional information as part of a financial

capability analysis. EPA will continue its dialog with stakeholders

on this topic in FY 2014.

Forest and Logging Roads — In December 2012, EPA revised

its Phase I stormwater regulations to clarify that a NPDES permit is

not required for stormwater discharges from logging roads. EPA

took this action in response to Northwest Environmental Defense Cen‐

ter v. Brown, in which the court held, contrary to EPA’s intent, that

stormwater runoff from certain logging roads is a point source

discharge of industrial stormwater that requires an NPDES permit.

Draft 2013 Multi‐Sector General Permit — In September

2013, EPA proposed an updated draft permit to regulate stormwa‐

ter discharges from industrial activities. The proposed permit will

help protect our nation’s waterways from industrial sector pollut‐

ants, which can contribute to aquatic ecosystem degradation, in‐

crease drinking water treatment costs, and impair the recreational

use and aesthetic value of waterways. The permit covers 29 differ‐

ent sectors of industrial activity and, once finalized, will be in effect

in the four states and other territories and areas where the EPA is

the permitting authority. The 2013 MSGP provisions are largely

similar to the 2008 MSGP; however, changes were made to stream‐

line the permit and improve permit clarity and enforceability.

Green Infrastructure — Green Infrastructure (GI) uses vegeta‐

tion and soil to manage rainwater where it falls, keeping polluted

stormwater from entering sewer systems and waterways in local

communi‐

ties. Com‐

munities

are increas‐

ingly using

GI to sup‐

plement or

substitute

for single‐

purpose “gray” infrastructure investments. EPA is a strong sup‐

porter of such practices.

 In April 2013, OWM announced the winners of the first annual

Campus RainWorks Challenge, a new design competition to inspire

the next generation of landscape architects, planners, and engineers

to develop innovative GI systems to mitigate the impacts of urban

stormwater while supporting vibrant, sustainable communities.

Over 200 student teams participated, and four winners were chosen:

Illinois Institute of Technology, University of Florida, Missouri Uni‐

versity of Science and Technology, and University of Arizona.

 In September 2013, OWM launched its second annual Campus

RainWorks Challenge. The challenge was expanded to include two

competition categories: Master Plan and Site Design.

 In October 2013, OWM released EPA’s 2013 Green Infrastructure

Strategy. The strategy builds on the previous 2008 and 2011 GI

strategies, maintaining a focus on information exchange and com‐

munity engagement while focusing on improving federal coordina‐

tion, Clean Water Act regulatory support, research and information

exchange, funding and financing, and capacity building.

 In October 2013, OWM announced that EPA is allocating $400,000 in

technical assistance to six communities to help expand their use of

green infrastructure. The six communities include: Providence, RI;

Detroit, MI; Lincoln, NE; Gary, IN; Pima County, AZ; and Spartan‐

burg, SC. In the last two years, EPA has provided $1.35 million in

assistance to more than 20 communities.

 In October 2013, OWM began releasing a series of reports highlight‐

ing the work of communities that received GI technical assistance

from EPA in 2012 to share lessons learned.

 In October 2013, Onondaga County, NY, and EPA hosted a meeting

in Syracuse of EPA’s GI community partners and technical assis‐

tance recipients, and representatives from EPA’s Urban Waters part‐

nership communities. The meeting allowed these groups to engage

in a peer‐to‐peer exchange about their experiences implementing GI

in an effort to foster dialogue among communities with on‐the‐

ground experience working with green projects to help increase the

rate at which GI is adopted across the country.

9 
                   

                 

                 

                 

                   

                   

                 

      

                 

         

                 

     

     

       

   

   

   

       

                     

                       

                   

    

                         

                 

               

                   

               

                

               

             

               

                 

               

                

             

                 

             

            

             

             

                     

                     

           

                  

                     

                

                 

                     

                   

                 

                     

                   

               

          

                 

                      

                   

         

                  

               

                   

             

             

                 

                   

             

               

                 

                         

                 

               

           

                 

       

   

     

       

     

     

     

   

       

      

                 

             

         

                               

                                     

                               

                                   

                  

 Industrial Program 

Industrial wastewater discharges may contain pollutants that affect the quality of receiving waters and/or the effectiveness of wastewater

treatment. The industrial program works to protect and improve water quality through technology and water quality based permitting of

direct discharging industrial sources such as manufacturing facilities, vessels, coal mines, shale gas extraction operations, and steam elec‐

tric power plans. It also includes the National Pretreatment Program, which regulates thousands of industrial operations that discharge

into municipal sewers that flow to sewage treatment works.

Vessel General Permit – On March 28, 2013, OWM issued

the final vessel general permit (VGP) regulating discharges from

commercial vessels, including ballast water, to protect the nation’s

waters from ship‐borne pollutants and reduce invasive species in

U.S. waters. The final VGP covers commercial vessels greater than

79 feet in length, excluding military and recreational vessels, and

replaced the 2008 vessel general permit, which expired on Decem‐

ber 19, 2013.

The final permit reduces the administrative burden for vessel own‐

ers and operators, eliminating duplicative reporting requirements,

clarifying that electronic recordkeeping may be used instead of

paper records, and

streamlining self‐

inspection require‐

ments for vessels

that are out of

service for ex‐

tended periods.

The permit contin‐

ues to regulate the

26 specific dis‐

charge categories that were contained in the 2008 permit and, for

the first time, would provide coverage for fish hold effluent in the

event that a permitting moratorium currently in effect expires in

December 2014.

A key new provision of the permit is a numeric standard to control

the release of non‐indigenous invasive species in ballast water dis‐

charges. The new ballast water discharge standard addressing in‐

vasive species is based upon results from independent EPA Science

Advisory Board and National Research Council National Academy

of Sciences studies. These limits are generally consistent with those

contained in the International Maritime Organization’s 2004 Ballast

Water Convention. The new standard is expected to substantially

reduce the risk of introduction and establishment of non‐

indigenous invasive species in U.S. waters. Additionally, the final

VGP contains requirements to ensure ballast water treatment sys‐

tems are functioning correctly. The final permit also provides ad‐

ditional environmental protection for certain vessels. For example,

certain high‐risk vessels entering the Great Lakes must conduct

additional management measures to reduce the risk of introducing

new invasive species to our waters.

Reducing Vessel Discharges of Oily Lubricants – The

2013 VGP requires that environmentally acceptable lubricants

(EALs) be used in all oil‐to‐sea applications unless their use is tech‐

nically infeasible. EALs are defined in the VGP, and these products

must meet specific criteria for being biodegradable, minimally‐

toxic, and non‐bioaccumulative. Every year, approximately 5 to 30

million liters of oil leak into aquatic ecosystems from vessel stern

tubes, one of many “oil‐to‐sea interfaces.” Unquantified volumes

of oils leak from other oil‐to‐sea interfaces, including vessel thrust‐

ers, propulsion pods, wire ropes, and below water line machinery.

OWM and EPA’s Design for the Environment (DfE) Program have

partnered to lead and implement a unique pollution prevention

approach that is reducing both the volume of these oily discharges

and the toxicity of those discharges into surrounding waters, using

the strengths from their regulatory authorities and voluntary label‐

ing programs. Utilizing programs focused on multi‐pollutant im‐

pacts, these efforts have resulted in a significant long‐term reduc‐

tion in the impact of chronic oily discharges to our waters. This

first such regulatory requirement in the world, partnered with a

voluntary implementation program to ease regulatory compliance,

has resulted in meaningful reduction in oil pollution impacts.

Draft Small Vessel General Permit – OWM has devel‐

oped a draft small Vessel General Permit (sVGP), which would

regulate discharges from commercial vessels, excluding military

and recreational vessels. Currently, except for ballast water dis‐

charges, NPDES permits are not required for any discharges inci‐

dental to normal operation of commercial fishing vessels and other

non‐recreational vessels less than 79 feet. However, unless Con‐

gress takes additional action, a moratorium from the requirement

to obtain permit coverage for incidental discharges from these ves‐

sels will expire on December 18, 2014. In anticipation of the end of

the moratorium, OWM published the draft sVGP in 2013, and in‐

tends to finalize the sVGP early in 2014.

Pretreatment Program – During FY 2013, OWM provided

outreach, training, and technical assistance to the public, EPA Re‐

gions, and states on im‐

plementing pretreatment

programs, effluent guide‐

lines, and general

NPDES issues through a

variety of venues, includ‐

ing webinars and speak‐

ing engagements, such as

the National Association

of Clean Water Agencies

national pretreatment

conference. This year,

OWM also continued its popular Pretreatment 101 webinar series

with a session on “POTW Pretreatment Considerations & Permit‐

ting Programs for Hauled Waste.”

10 
               

                 

       

     

       

     

       

       

     

       

   

         

           

         

               

             

       

                   

                

           

                   

           

                   

                 

                 

     

     

                 

         

               

               

           

                 

               

           

               

                   

               

                   

               

         

   

               

                   

                   

                       

                   

                     

                     

                   

                 

                     

                         

                     

                     

                   

                 

                   

                   

                            

    

             

                 

                 

                         

                 

                 

                 

             

                 

                   

                 

               

     

     

         

     

       

     

     

         

     

         

                 

                     

                   

                 

                       

                   

                     

                     

                 

                       

         

                                       

                               

                                     

 Rural Program 

The rural program strives to protect and improve water quality by developing and implementing NPDES programs to assist rural areas

and rural populations. The program develops regulations, policies, technical implementation guidance, and outreach for EPA Regions,

states, and the general public. In addition, the program focuses on innovative approaches for working with the agricultural community.

Livestock Water Quality Blueprint — Working closely with
 

EPA’s Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds (OWOW) and
 

the Administrator’s Agricultural Advi‐

sor, OWM is working cooperatively

with livestock agriculture stakeholders

to develop and implement approaches

that improve the environmental per‐

formance of animal agriculture

through voluntary initiatives and im‐

proved regulatory programs. Volun‐

tary initiatives complement and en‐

hance the permitting, compliance assis‐

tance, and enforcement programs of

EPA and the states. The blueprint be‐

ing developed will advance voluntary

action and includes four key elements: partnership projects, main‐

taining a collaborative working relationship with livestock agricul‐

ture stakeholders, recognizing leading environmental stewards

from the livestock sector, and planning for a national water quality

best practices conference. Partnership projects build trust and ef‐

fective working relationships through training programs, commu‐

nications, and support for the development of on‐farm tools, all

designed to advance water quality best practices.

CAFO Permitting — During FY 2013, OWM continued to work

with states and livestock producers to help producers better under‐

stand and comply with the 2008 Concentrated Animal Feeding

Operations (CAFO) Rule.

 Development of State AFO/CAFO Compendium: OWM com‐

pleted a comprehensive summary of state CAFO and animal

feeding operation programs, summarizing innovative pro‐

grams, including manure transfer programs, to assist states

that are interested in implementing similar programs.

 Technical Standards Review: OWM reviewed each state’s

technical CAFO standards to ensure that producers and other

stakeholders possess the most recent information to calculate

manure application rates for their nutrient management plans.

Environmental Markets — OWM continues to support the

work of OWOW and U.S. Department of Agriculture programs to

develop and advance water quality trading and related environ‐

mental markets. This effort focuses on the development of markets

that involve the participation of agricultural producers, providing

a financial incentive for improved environmental performance

beyond regulatory compliance.

Implementing the 2011 Pesticide General Permit (PGP) —

In FY 2013, OWM continued to implement its NPDES Pesticide

General Permit for point source discharges from the application of

pesticides to the waters of the United States, which it issued in Oc‐

tober 2011. The permit requires operators to minimize discharges

through the use of pest management measures and to monitor for

and report any adverse incidents. On June 21, 2013, OWM also

issued a final rule to remove language from NPDES regulations

that exempted pesticide operators from needing a permit for dis‐

charging pesticides to waters of the United States. This action was

in response to a 2009 decision by the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

in National Cotton Council, et al, v. EPA. To assist operators that

need to submit an annual report under EPA’s PGP, in January

2013, OWM updated its online electronic Notice of Intent (NOI)

system to allow for electronic submissions. In addition, OWM con‐

ducted a webcast, published a tutorial and updated its Q&A docu‐

ment to guide operators on how to file electronic annual re‐

ports. In FY 2013, EPA received a total of 291 NOIs and 196 annual

reports.

Aquaculture Permitting — Aquaculture, especially marine net

pen fisheries, is an emerging focal area for economic development

and, thus, environmental protection. OWM is participating in a

federal agency task force, and has taken the lead on an initiative to

streamline federal permitting of net pen facilities. These efforts

include: an evaluation of water quality protection measures to

meet the requirements of all federal agencies, collaboration with

fisheries industry representatives, and development of a permit‐

ting process that dovetails regulatory requirements. In support of

an expanded role in the aquaculture sector, OWM is also support‐

ing the development of regional permits for concentrated aquatic

animal production facilities, and developing a website for dissemi‐

nating information.

Ten‐year Review of

the 2003 NPDES

CAFO Rule — OWM is

conducting a procedural

review of EPA’s 2003

NPDES regulations for

CAFOs, pursuant to Sec‐

tion 610 of the Regulatory

Flexibility Act (RFA). Sec‐

tion 610 of the RFA re‐

quires that federal agencies review rules that could potentially

have economic impacts to small entities within 10 years to decide

whether the rules should continue unchanged, be amended, or be

withdrawn. Per the requirements of the RFA, OWM solicited com‐

ments on the continued need for the rule; the nature of complaints

or comments received concerning the rule; the complexity of the

rule; the extent to which the rule overlaps, duplicates, or conflicts

with other federal, state, or local government rules; and the degree

to which the technology, economic conditions, or other factors

have changed in areas affected by the rule. Results of the review

are anticipated early in 2014.

11 
         

                     

               

               

               

                   

                 

          

                       

                 

                 

                 

                   

               

               

           

                     

                 

                 

                   

                   

                     

         

                   

             

                   

                     

                   

                   

             

                 

               

             

                   

                 

                     

                 

   

           

                 

                     

               

                 

       

  

                   

               

                     

                     

                 

                       

                   

                   

                 

                           

                   

                      

                   

                 

               

           

                 

                   

                 

                   

                 

                 

                   

         

         

           

             

                 

                 

                 

                 

                 

                 

         

                 

                 

                 

                     

                 

                  

             

     

                                   

                                         

                                 

                                   

                

 State and Regional Permitting Program 

The State and Regional Branch provides technical and policy support to help implement the NPDES permit program. Through coordina‐

tion with states and EPA Regions, the program guides the consistent and effective translation of water quality goals and standards into

permit limits and conditions. It resolves legal barriers that prevent optimal program implementation and provides proactive and consis‐

tent management of external legal drivers. It also provides timely information on the integrity of NPDES program implementation while

working cooperatively to produce efficient processes and measurable results.

Strengthening NPDES Permit Program — OWM contin‐

ues to collaborate with OECA to implement the Clean Water Act

Action Plan and improve NPDES processes. Throughout FY 2013,

OWM collaborated with OECA’s Office of Compliance to review

existing EPA‐state memoranda of agreement (MOAs), which help

govern how the EPA and authorized states interact to implement

the state’s NPDES program, to ensure that they reflect current pro‐

gram requirements and facilitate effective implementation.

In FY 2013, OWM continued to work with the EPA Regions and

states to address petitions for withdrawal of state NPDES pro‐

grams. OWM worked with Regions to resolve four petitions

(Virginia, Kentucky, and Florida (2)) and made significant progress

on five others. OWM also issued a memo clarifying its expectations

for identifying and managing petitions, and to foster transparency,

it launched a website providing key documentation for petitions.

Reinventing EPA’s Process for Assessing Permit

Quality — FY 2013 saw a maturation of EPA’s processes for en‐

suring the quality and integrity of NPDES permits. OWM com‐

pleted the transition from a Headquarters‐ to a Region‐led process

for permit quality reviews (PQRs). It continued refining the PQR

procedures and tools in response to input from the Regions, shar‐

ing this information on line. During 2013, OWM and the Regions

completed 14 PQR site visits.

In FY 2013, EPA recalibrated its efforts to integrate oversight proc‐

esses with OECA. While remaining committed to coordination

with OECA on ensuring the quality and integrity of NPDES per‐

mits, the two offices, in response to feedback from the Regions,

recognized the value of decoupling the PQR process from OECA’s

State Review Framework in order to promote the greatest amount

of flexibility in how programs are assessed.

OWM continued to refine and use management systems that pro‐

vide summary and trend information regarding state program per‐

formance and permit quality. To meet GPRA requirements, sup‐

port EPA and OW strategic planning, and satisfy its program man‐

agement objectives, OWM continue to refine its measures for per‐

mit backlog, priority permits, and action items to ensure that its

accountability measures for permits and permittees reflect the most

important environmental and programmatic priorities.

Providing Robust NPDES Tools, Training, & Techni‐

cal Assistance — OWM continued its close collaboration with

the Office of Science and Technology (OST) to ensure that the crite‐

ria, standards, and implementation guidance they developed (e.g.,

water quality criteria for ammonia) could be implemented through

water quality‐based requirements in NPDES permits.

In FY 2013, OWM conducted six week‐long NPDES Permit Writers

Courses throughout the country, providing basic NPDES training to

over 200 students. OWM continues to offer a web‐based version of

the full permit writer’s training course; in FY 2013, online students

completed over 400 NPDES course modules. Recognizing that the

value of the web‐based training is likely to increase as travel funds

become more constrained, OWM is re‐recording all of the course

modules to ensure they reflect the latest information. OWM also

provided targeted training modules on NPDES permitting for whole

effluent toxicity to state staff in Region 7, in April 2013, and piloted a

new, one‐day workshop on nutrient permit limits for permit writers

in July 2013, which will be expanded and continued in 2014.

Coordination on Water Quality Issues – In the interest of

a cohesive national water program, OWM invests heavily in coordi‐

nation with programs in OST—including methods, criteria, and

standards—and OWOW—including monitoring and TMDLs. In FY

2013, OWM participated in workgroups for development of water

quality criteria for pathogens, ammonia, and selenium, all of which

have implications for NPDES permit limits. OWM worked with OST

to support the Regions and states in implementing whole effluent

toxicity limits. OWM also laid groundwork for a robust partnership

with OST, OWOW, Regions, and states in addressing nutrient pollu‐

tion, perhaps the most pressing water quality problem EPA will

confront in the next few years.

Improving Implementation of Total Maximum Daily

Load (TMDL) Wasteload Allocations (WLAs) in Per‐

mits — OWM, OWOW, and the EPA Regional Offices collabo‐

rated to more effectively implement TMDL WLAs. These offices

worked together to review draft TMDLs and improve data manage‐

ment. They also collaborated on supporting permit writers in devel‐

oping effective, defensible WQBELs as well as other permit provi‐

sions to meet water quality objectives and in gathering monitoring

data and other relevant information to aid in TMDL development.

Electronic Applications and Reporting — OWM and

OECA continued their close collaboration on the transition from

paper to electronic reporting for NPDES permittees. This included

support for OECA’s proposed rule on electronic reporting, which

was published July 30, 2013. OWM also coordinated with OECA on

enhancements, new releases, and new development for modules to

support electronic Notices of Intent for the Construction General

Permit, Multi‐Sector General Permit, Pesticides General Permit, and

Vessels General Permit.

12 
               

                   

               

                   

                     

                 

                 

                       

                      

               

                     

           

               

                       

        

     

   

     

     

     

     

     

   

     

       

     

                   

         

           

               

                   

               

     

         

           

     

     

           

     

       

           

           

       

     

       

     

   

        

               

              

                 

                 

                   

                     

               

               

                 

                       

               

                 

                 

               

             

                                         

                                   

                                 

                                 

                                         

                                          

 State and Tribal Water Pollution Control Grants 

Section 106 of the Clean Water Act authorizes EPA to provide federal assistance to states (including territories and the District of Colum‐

bia), interstate agencies, and eligible tribes to establish and implement ongoing water pollution control programs. Prevention and control

measures supported by water pollution control programs include ambient water quality monitoring, water quality standards and Total

Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) development, NPDES permitting and enforcement, advice and assistance to local agencies, training, and

public information. Due to sequestration, in FY 2013, there was a 5% ($13 million) reduction in Section 106 grant funds. EPA provided

$225 million in Section 106 funding to states, interstate agencies, and tribes to prevent and control water pollution in FY 2013.

State and Interstate Water Pollution Control

Grants — Increasingly, EPA and states are working together to

develop basin‐wide approaches to water quality management. The

Section 106 Grant Program is helping to foster a watershed protec‐

tion approach at the state level by looking at statesʹ water quality

problems holistically and targeting the use of limited finances

available for effective program management. In FY 2013, EPA pro‐

vided more than $183 million in Section 106 grant funding to states

and interstate agencies to help protect and restore water bodies.

Tribal Water Pollution Control Grants — For tribes,

Section 106 grants are a crucial, dedicated source of funding for

developing, maintaining, and expanding programs designed to

prevent, control, and eliminate water pollution. Tribes began re‐

ceiving Section 106 funds in 1989. In FY 2013, the tribal set‐aside

was approximately $25.5 million.

Of the 565 feder‐

ally recognized

tribes, approxi‐

mately 350 meet

the criteria to re‐

ceive Section 106

funding, and 75%

(265) of these

tribes were eligi‐

ble to receive

grants in FY 2013.

Tribes across the

country are using Section 106 grants to identify and proactively

address water quality priorities and concerns.

State and Tribal Water Monitoring Initiative —

Using approximately $17.5 million in FY 2013, OWM and

OWOW continue to work with states and tribes to enhance

their water quality monitoring programs and implement a

multi‐year statistically valid

survey of the nation’s waters.

In FY 2013, states and tribes

conducted sampling and re‐

ported water quality monitor‐

ing data for the rivers and

streams survey. The monitor‐

ing initiative allows EPA,

states, and tribes to continue to

report on the condition of the

nationʹs waters and make sig‐

nificant progress toward as‐

sessing trends in water condi‐

tion in a scientifically defensi‐

ble manner.

State Water Quality Management Resource

Study — OWM is partnering with the Association of Clean

Water Administrators and the Environmental Council of States

to update and quantify current and future expenditures and

resources for the management of state water quality programs,

and to quantify the resources needed to fully implement the

Clean Water Act. The new EPA/state task force is updating the

1998 Resource Analysis based on recommendations from a

third‐party review by the National Academy of Public Admin‐

istrators, which concluded that the effort was well designed

and executed. With the results of the review, the task force is

moving forward to improve collaboration and cultural learning,

fine‐tune tools and methods for estimating state resource needs,

and improve the effectiveness of water quality programs. The

resource study will provide critical information on state expen‐

ditures and needs for Clean Water Act programs.

13 
 Sustainable Management Program 

                 

                   

       

           

       

           

         

       

         

     

       

         

         

           

         

         

                 

                       

               

                

         

             

               

                 

                      

       

   

           

         

           

             

         

          

         

             

         

         

         

             

                    

                 

                      

                   

                      

                 

                   

                 

                 

             

           

                   

                     

                 

                   

                       

       

               

                 

               

                 

           

               

               

     

         

  

       

           

       

   

       

   

         

         

     

         

         

                         

             

   

     

                                                 

                                         

                                       

               

 Sustainable Water Infrastructure Management Program 

Our nation’s water infrastructure systems are aging, and many will be reaching the end of their useful life span in the next 20 to 40

years. To address the mounting needs, OWM is collaborating with the Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water and other federal

agencies and across the infrastructure industry to change the way the country views, values, and manages its water infrastructure and

to ensure that this infrastructure also supports sustainable communities.

Water Reuse — Although there are no existing federal regula‐

tions on water reuse, EPA has developed guidelines that describe

the types of reuse applications,

technical and legal issues in the

U.S., public involvement, and

water reuse in other countries. In

October 2012, EPA’s Office of

Research and Development and

Office of Water released the

Agency’s 2012 Guidelines for Wa‐

ter Reuse. The 2012 reuse guide‐

lines build on the Agencyʹs previ‐

ous reuse guidelines issued in

2004, incorporating information

on water reuse that has been de‐

veloped since the 2004 document

was issued. In addition to sum‐

marizing the existing regulations in the U.S., the document in‐

cludes water reuse practices outside of the U.S., over 100 new case

studies, information on planning for future water reuse systems,

and information on indirect potable reuse and industrial reuse.

Sustainable Management of Rural and Small Systems—

Working closely with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

and OGWDW, OWM developed two major publications designed

to help rural and small systems sustainably manage their opera‐

tions. The first, called the Rural and Small Systems Guidebook to Sus‐

tainable Utility Management helps

small systems comprehensively as‐

sess their current operations, using 10

key management areas that cover all

aspects of system operations and use

the results of the assessment to chart

a course for improving their effective‐

ness. The guidebook was developed

with extensive input from managers

of rural and small systems through a

series of workshops sponsored by

EPA, USDA, and various technical

assistance providers like the National

Rural Water Association, Rural Community Assistance Program,

and others. The second, called the Workshop in a Box contains mate‐

rials designed to help assistance providers conduct workshops on

their own, using the guidebook. EPA and USDA are now working

with the EPA Regions, states, and technical assistance providers to

promote the use of these important documents. A train the trainer

webinar is scheduled for January 2014, and additional workshops

with rural and small systems will take place in 2014.

Clean Watersheds Needs Survey (CWNS) — Data for the 16th

CWNS was collected January – December 2012. Conducted every

four years, the survey estimates the capital infrastructure invest‐

ments needed nationwide for wastewater and stormwater pollu‐

tion control infrastructure. During FY 2013, the survey data were

reviewed to ensure data quality, and the results were analyzed to

prepare the upcoming report to Congress. Additionally, state and

Regional CWNS coordinators met in Washington, DC, in July 2013,

to discuss the states’ experiences with the 2012 CWNS in order to

improve future data collection.

Engineering & Technology — OWM continues to support

EPA’s goal to help wastewater utility owners and operators be‐

come more energy self‐sufficient through energy conservation and

renewable energy technologies. In April 2013, OWM released the

report, Emerging Technologies for Wastewater Treatment and In‐Plant

Wet Weather Management, to assist municipal wastewater utility

owners and operators, local governments, engineers, and planners

find information on new wastewa‐

ter treatment and in‐plant wet

weather management technologies.

The document includes technical

and cost information to assist users

in considering using more efficient,

sustainable, and cost‐effective

wastewater treatment and in‐plant

wet weather management tech‐

nologies. In August 2013, OWM

released an addendum to the re‐

port, providing additional informa‐

tion on emerging technologies to

reflect new and more current infor‐

mation.

In FY 2013, OWM also released a series of new and updated fact

sheets on renewable energy, including: hydropower from waste‐

water, solar cells, fuel cells, microturbines, wind turbines, and vi‐

able auxiliary power sources.

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 Sustainable Communities Program 

Reliable, affordable water and wastewater services are critical to a community’s quality of life. Many small and rural communities, includ‐

ing communities in Indian Country and along the U.S./Mexico border, struggle with aging, inadequate, or no access to safe water and ba‐

sic wastewater services and have difficulties recruiting and retaining qualified staff and sustaining financial reserves to maintain the water

infrastructure they have. Residents in these communities face increased health risks and substantial economic challenges compared to the

rest of the U.S. The Sustainable Communities Program provides financial and technical assistance to help these communities establish and

improve their wastewater services, lower their risk of disease, and reap the associated economic benefits.

U.S.‐Mexico Border

Water Infrastructure

Program — The U.S.‐

Mexico Border Water

Infrastructure Program

funds planning, design,

and construction of

critical water and waste‐

water treatment facili‐

ties, often providing

first‐time access to safe

treatment. EPA uniquely improves water quality in the U.S. by

funding selected projects in Mexico to prevent pollution from en‐

tering U.S. waters where rivers flow north into the U.S. or waters

are shared. Since 1997, the program has completed 84 projects

benefitting over 8 million people. In FY 2013, EPA invested $4.7

million, and 3,400 homes received first‐time access to safe drinking

water and more than 25,000 homes received first‐time access to

wastewater collection and treatment. With 23 projects under con‐

struction and 26 communities conducting planning and develop‐

ment for future construction, program investments benefit the U.S.

by over $6 million annually from avoided disease and over $13

million from ecological improvements. The Mexican financial con‐

tribution for Mexican projects is three times that of EPA’s U.S.‐

Mexico Border Water Infrastructure Program.

Federal Tribal Infrastructure Task Force: Improving

Access to Safe, Sustainable Water Facilities in Indian

Country — In April 2013, EPA signed an MOU with the USDA,

Department of Housing and Urban Development, Department of

Health and Human Services, and Department of Interior to renew

their commitment to work together to improve and sustain safe

water, wastewater, and solid waste treatment services for tribal

communities. The MOU partners affirmed their continued efforts

to work together to reduce the number of tribal homes lacking ac‐

cess to safe water and basic sanitation and support tribes in devel‐

oping and maintaining sustainable management entities for these

services. The partnership has supported the development of a

common Preliminary Engineering Report template, launched re‐

search to determine the true costs of operating and maintaining

tribal systems, and developed an online, coordinated directory of

regional federal contacts for operators to exchange information and

get technical assistance.

Clean Water Indian Set Aside (CWISA) and Alaska

Native Villages (ANV) Grant Programs — OWM’s CWISA

Grant Program is dedicated to the planning, design, and construc‐

tion of critical wastewater treatment systems for American Indians

and Alaska Natives. In FY 2013, in partnership with other federal

agencies, EPA awarded $27 million to fund 77 wastewater treat‐

ment construction projects that will improve wastewater service to

over 13,000 tribal homes, with 60% of the projects providing first‐

time access to safe wastewater services.

The ANV Grant Program funds construction, planning, and design

for water and wastewater treatment along with training and techni‐

cal assistance for the over 240 ANVs and 60 non‐native underserved

communities. EPA awarded $9.5 million in FY 2013 to fund 10 pro‐

jects, with about a fifth of the homes receiving first‐time service. The

program also uniquely funds education, training, and management

programs for nearly 200 communities, and has supported the dou‐

bling of certified operators in Alaskan Rural Villages since 1992 and

has seen a decrease in the number of non‐compliant systems by

about 80% since 2006. Residents of these communities have seen

reduced health risks including reduced infectious disease hospitali‐

zation rates.

SepticSmart Program Launches

— Over a quarter of the residences in

the U.S. have septic systems. Proper

system maintenance helps prevent

the release of pollutants and protects

public health and the quality of the

nation’s waters. In November 2012,

OWM launched “SepticSmart,” na‐

tion‐wide initiative to inform home‐

owners of simple actions they can

take to ensure their systems function

well. SepticSmart also provides resources for outreach organiza‐

tions and government leaders to promote this message locally.

EPA held its first annual SepticSmart Week, September 23‐27, 2013.

Partnering with its Decentralized MOU partners, EPA got the word

out via the web and social media, encouraging homeowners to get

SepticSmart.

Model Program to Assist State Septic Programs in the

Chesapeake Bay Watershed — In September 2013, OWM re‐

leased the final Model Program for Onsite Systems Management in the

Chesapeake Bay Watershed. The model program compiles valuable

elements of a model state program for managing septic systems

and other onsite wastewater treatment, incorporating key recom‐

mendations to effectively and efficiently manage nitrogen treat‐

ment systems. EPA’s model program provides “state of the art”

tools and approaches from which states can choose to more effec‐

tively manage nutrients entering the Bay from onsite systems and

help improve water quality in the Bay.

15 
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Office of Wastewater Management 

1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW (4201M) 

Washington, DC 20460 

EPA 832-R-14-002 

February 2014 

http://water.epa.gov/resource_performance 

Recycled/Recyclable- Printed with vegetable oil based inks on 100% postconsumer, process chlorine free recycled paper.