The report is an accumulation of DEP’s examination of stormwater programs from across the country and around the globe, including vital data sharing between New York City and 34 communities.
The conversations included lessons learned and the challenges associated with flood mitigation programs, integrated stormwater management initiatives and regulatory compliance. The Innovative and Integrated Stormwater Management report can be found here.
“Managing stormwater and protecting public health means preparing our communities for a changing climate, but not every program will work for every municipality,” said DEP Acting Commissioner Vincent Sapienza. “By studying the efforts of cities across the country and around the globe, including the challenges they encountered and lessons learned, we believe this report can serve as a roadmap for communities looking for the right approach to better managing stormwater.”
DEP examined national and international stormwater programs to enhance its understanding and refine New York City’s approach to a stormwater program that is both integrated and innovative. The Water Research Foundation is publishing and distributing this report on behalf of DEP as part of the focus on One Water. By sharing the Innovative and Integrated Stormwater Management report, the partners hope that other service providers can use it to cost-effectively improve the health of local water bodies and deliver related benefits to their communities.
“It is incredibly generous of DEP to share this comprehensive report with the public,” said Rob Renner, CEO of the Water Research Foundation. “Many other communities can benefit from this guidance and the Water Research Foundation is thrilled to be part of this effort.”
The report topics encompass stormwater control measures recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, as well as topics that are critical to stormwater program success or those that can result in progressive and innovative water quality solutions. Each chapter covers a stormwater program topic; the role stormwater has in the program; an introduction to the applicable U.S. federal regulations; and common high-interest factors that influence decision making when it comes to setting up and implementing the program. Within each chapter, case studies are presented for a sampling of the communities with progressive programs in the topic area. The effort also demonstrates that although many of the surveyed communities are actively implementing the stormwater control measures, their techniques vary based on the conditions that are specific to their community.
