Local governments have “new statutory tools to affordably confront the expensive infrastructure challenges of stormwater, wastewater and other water resource improvement goals,” since the President signed the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act (WIIA), McMahon DeGulis LLP reports. The WIIA adds a new section to the Clean Water Act incorporating US EPA’s 2012 Integrated Planning Framework into law. Additionally, it “allows a local government to incorporate its Integrated Plan into NPDES permits,” usually a more flexible route than being subjected to a federal consent decree. The WIIA also requires local affordability to be considered in developing CWA compliance schedules. These changes make Integrated Plans “an essential tool for local governments to manage their Clean Water Act compliance and infrastructure renewal.” For more, read the full article.
Water Infrastructure Improvement Act grants new tools to municipalities
