Investigation into the Feasibility of a National Testing and Evaluation Program for Stormwater Products and Practices in the USA

As stormwater-related regulatory programs have been established various stormwater control measures (SCMs) have been developed to address stormwater runoff and are being applied countrywide. As the number and complexity has grown, the need to develop processes to verify, and/or approve SCMs arose to ensure the performance efficacy of products and practices.

Programs to evaluate SCMs arose at the state, regional and national level. These programs have had a range of effectiveness, with some programs growing and others stagnating or ending. A challenge for programs is often a lack of funding and the level of verification needed while trying not to create a barrier to market entry.

Further, since the characteristics of stormwater quality and quantity vary with respect to elements such as, climate, soil types and regulated pollutants and concentrations, protocols and procedures associated with these programs vary as well leading to multiple costly and time consuming processes.

A multidisciplinary workgroup, STEPP (Stormwater Testing Evaluation of Products and Practices), of the Water Environment Federation (WEF) Stormwater Committee was formed to investigate a national program to verify SCMs.

The result of the investigation is a white paper entitled "Investigation into the Feasibility of a National Testing and Evaluation Program for Stormwater Products and Practices" produced by WEF. It found that there is agreement on the feasibility and need for a national program. Critical elements of a program to are consistent protocol development, sustainable funding, transparent and streamlined programmatic architecture, stakeholder engagement, and national leadership. These actions will be taken by the STEPP Workgroup while recognizing that the overall goal is to protect and restore the quality of U.S. waters.

Since the paper publication, support has been gained from the USEPA and many States. The committee is now in the process of developing a "business plan" to move forward with the program.