Water And Environmental Groups Applaud Udall, Edwards For Reintroduction Of Innovative Stormwater Infrastructure Legislation

On Tuesday, April 14, Senator Tom Udall (D-NM) and Representative Donna Edwards (D-MD) re-introduced legislation to provide critical support to innovative stormwater strategies, improving our ability to effectively manage polluted runoff and sewage overflows while relieving pressure on aging infrastructure.

The Innovative Stormwater Infrastructure Act of 2015, S. 896/H.R. 1775, would promote the use of innovative stormwater infrastructure, provide implementation grants for community-based stormwater control projects, and establish up to five Centers of Excellence throughout the country to conduct research, develop recommendations, and provide training and technical assistance for implementing management practices for stormwater control and management.

The National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA), American Rivers, the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), and the Water Environment Federation (WEF) have provided technical assistance to the bill’s sponsors and worked to appeal for broad Congressional support.

Various publications from NACWA, American Rivers, ASLA, NRDC and WEF have showcased how communities across the country are implementing innovative technology like green infrastructure to better manage stormwater, save money, and improve quality of life more broadly.

About WEF
Founded in 1928, the Water Environment Federation (WEF) is a not-for-profit technical and educational organization of 36,000 individual members and 75 affiliated Member Associations representing water quality professionals around the world. WEF members, Member Associations and staff proudly work to achieve our mission to provide bold leadership, champion innovation, connect water professionals, and leverage knowledge to support clean and safe water worldwide. For more information, visit www.wef.org.