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Springfield, Mo., to Receive $67,000 from EPA for Technical Assistance in Planning Stormwater and Wastewater Projects

Release Date: 10/10/2014
Contact Information: Chris Whitley, 913-551-7394, whitley.christopher@epa.gov

Environmental News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Lenexa, Kan., Oct. 10, 2014) - Springfield, Mo., was named today as one of five communities nationwide to receive a $67,000 technical assistance award from EPA to help develop components of integrated plans for wastewater and stormwater management.

“EPA is committed to helping communities meet their requirements and goals for water projects that benefit public health, the environment, and the local economy,” said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. “Integrated planning provides the important flexibility that cities and towns need to address water challenges in an efficient and effective manner.”

Integrated planning lets communities sequence projects so they can start those with the highest priority first. EPA technical assistance will help recipients meet Clean Water Act requirements for water management in a cost-effective and environmentally beneficial way. EPA, states and municipalities have historically focused on meeting each Clean Water Act requirement separately, an approach that may have constrained communities from addressing the most serious water issues first.

In June 2012, EPA issued a framework promoting an integrated planning approach after working closely with state authorities, local governments, water utilities, and environmental groups.

In May 2014, 28 communities responded to EPA’s request for letters of interest in technical assistance. EPA made its decision after evaluating the letters’ consideration of several factors, including human health and water quality challenges, innovative approaches, community and national impacts, and commitment to integrated planning.

Besides Springfield, EPA announced today that $67,000 technical assistance awards will also be made to the communities of Burlington, Vt.; Durham, N.H.; Santa Maria, Calif.; and Onondaga County, N.Y.

These five projects will provide examples of how communities can develop integrated plans to address components of Clean Water Act permits. The projects will also provide useful information and transferable tools for other communities interested in integrated planning.