Urban Stormwater Management in the United States

Noting that the Clean Water Act regulatory framework for addressing sewage and industrial wastes is not well suited to the problem of stormwater discharges, this report calls for a new permitting structure that would put authority and accountability for stormwater discharges at the municipal level. The study clarifies the mechanisms by which pollutants in stormwater discharges affect ambient water quality criteria, and considers the use of monitoring for determining the adequacy of stormwater pollution prevention plans. A number of additional actions, such as conserving natural areas, reducing hard surface cover, and retrofitting urban areas with features that hold stormwater, are also recommended. B&w photos, maps, and tables are included. There is no subject index. The report was produced by the National Research Council's Committee on Reducing Stormwater Discharge Contributions to Water Pollution, at the request of the US Environmental Protection Agency. Annotation c2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)