6
Stormwater
country are implementing innovative technology, like green infra-
structure, to better manage stormwater, save money, and improve
quality of life more broadly. This is contributing to a broader shift
seen among clean water utilities as they transform from basic provid-
ers of wastewater services to comprehensive resource recovery agents.
See the box associated with the article for a snapshot of just some of
the green infrastructure projects NACWA members have undertaken.
Many additional communities are in various stages of planning and
implementation.
With more communities across the country pursuing creative so-
lutions like innovative stormwater infrastructure to manage their
stormwater runoff, this legislation would help to secure the resources
needed to transform this approach into a mainstream practice.
NACWA commends Senator Udall and Representative Edwards for
their leadership on this issue and urges swift passage of this legisla-
tion.
6
Member Agencies Pursue Green Infrastructure, Stormwater Initiatives
is a partnership between Philadelphia and EPA that involves a $2 billion investment in green infrastructure
to better manage Philadelphia’s stormwater. The 25-year agreement could be a national model for other cities interested in imple-
menting green infrastructure.
The Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) of Greater Cincinnati’s
is a two-phase initiative involving the rebuilding
and improving of the city’s sewer system. Green infrastructure projects such as retention basins and pervious pavement are being
used to control
Phase 1 involves completion of 45 construction projects in and around the city by 2018;
Phase 2 (after 2018) comprises 256 construction projects across Hamilton County. The entire
is estimated to cost $3.5 billion.
In September 2011, Los Angeles passed the Low Impact Development Ordinance, which requires that all development projects
greater than 500 square feet be designed to capture, reuse, or infiltrate stormwater runoff. Los Angeles’
pro-
gram will add permeable pavement, bioswales, and drought-tolerant vegetation to urban alleys. These
will improve water
quality, reduce flooding, and reduce water demand while creating recreational opportunities and more.
H
arlan L. Kelly, Jr., General Manager of the San Francisco
Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) was appointed
to an At-Large Board seat when NACWA’s Board of
Directors met on November 19 in San Antonio. Kelly’s
civil engineering career spans nearly three decades and includes ser-
vice as SFPUC’s Assistant General Manager, Infrastructure. In that
capacity he was responsible for implementing over $10 billion in cap-
ital programs for water, sewer and power. Kelly is the recipient of the
Municipal Fiscal Advisory Committee’s Public Municipal Excellence
Award from the San Francisco Planning & Urban Research
Association; the Public Works Leader of the Year Award from the
American Public Works Association – Northern California Chapter.
In making the appointment NACWA President, Julius Ciaccia, said
“I am certain that Harlan will be an incredible asset to our Board”.
NACWA Board Approves Key
Targeted Action Fund Projects
NACWA’s Board also acted to approve several important Targeted
Action Fund (TAF) projects at its November meeting. Projects ap-
proved include NACWA’s participation in a Washington State biosolids
appeal of a state court legal decision affirming a land application ban
passed by a local county; Chesapeake Bay total maximum daily load
(TMDL) litigation following the Farm Bureau’s appeal; and, an appeal
in the
Southern AppalachianMountain Stewards v. A&G Coal Corp.
case
that could limit dischargers’ ability to use compliance with permit
terms as a full defense or shield against claims concerning CleanWater
Act violations. The Board also agreed to provide TAF support for an
update of NACWA’s popular
Consent Decree Handbook
. The
Handbook
will provide new and valuable information and strategies to maximize
utility success in consent decree negotiations, with a focus on new
developments such as integrated
planning, flexibility in making af-
fordability determinations, and in-
creasing use of green infrastructure
techniques.
The Board also approved important
projects recommended by the Association’s Legislative & Regulatory
Policy Committee, including support for a facilitated workgroup to
work toward consensus between INDA (the non-woven fabrics indus-
try association), NACWA, the Water Environment Federation (WEF)
and the American Public Works Association (APWA) on flushability
standards
(see related article this issue)
and funds for a critical review of
EPA’s use of its technical support document for setting numeric nutri-
ent permit limits.
Harlan Kelly, Jr. Appointed to NACWA Board
