The EPA on Monday, Oct. 4, 2010, issued its Clean Water and Drinking Water Infrastructure Sustainability Policy with the goal of increasing the sustainability of water and wastewater infrastructure in the United States.

The policy, available here from the EPA website (pdf), lays out rather general techniques that the agency plans to use, including:

• Guidance documents for utilities
• WWSRF-set-aides
• Education of lending community
• Pilot programs in several communities
• A comprehensive "Best Practices" guide to be published by the agency
• State capacity development programs
• Industry benchmarks
• Working with associations
• Prioritizing public health over water quality over environment/species
• Leaving states in control of SRF programming
• Create a menu of projects able to be implemented at a state's choosing
• Prioritizing funding for "fix it first" in existing communities over investigations/studies over capital projects

See? Pretty vague.

"Through cost-effective, resource-efficient techniques - like green water infrastructure alternatives - this policy aims to make our communities more environmentally and economically sustainable," said EPA Deputy Administrator Bob Perciasepe. "These smart investments in our water infrastructure, along with increased awareness of the importance of these investments, can keep our water cleaner and save Americans money."

The policy emphasizes the need to build on existing efforts to promote sustainable water infrastructure. The policy also focuses on working with states and water systems to employ comprehensive planning processes that result in projects that are cost effective over their life cycle, resource efficient, and consistent with community sustainability goals. The policy encourages effective utility management practices to build and maintain the level of technical, financial, and managerial capacity necessary to ensure long-term sustainability.

SOURCE: Federal Register