Ammonia Criteria Implementation Stakeholders Meeting

In 2014, WERF collaborated with NACWA, ACWA, and WEF to meet with 32 experts representing municipal wastewater agencies, state and federal agencies (EPA and USGS), the scientific and academic communities, and consultants. The objectives of the meeting were to:
• Identify data and information gaps regarding implementation of the revised criteria.
• Identify what tools/projects are needed to provide information that will fill these gaps and clarify options in EPA’s flexibility guidance.
• Provide clear guidance on a way to move forward on implementation of the criteria.

There was general agreement that the criteria can have major impacts on small communities and may present complexities for larger systems that are in the process of upgrades to meet new requirements for nutrient control. However, it was also agreed that implementation of EPA’s new ammonia criteria provides a unique opportunity to introduce new permitting concepts and options to allow for more flexibility in meeting water quality standards and to re-evaluate and prioritize ways to meet Clean Water Act goals in light of competing priorities. The proceedings document was prepared to provide a complete summary of the stakeholders meeting and is available by request. 31 pages. Online PDF.

Originally funded as WERF project WERF3C14.