NPDES Stormwater Cost Survey

Task A – Documenting Stormwater Program Costs 

Five California municipalities and one metropolitan area with stormwater programs that are demonstrating meaningful progress toward maximum extent practicable (MEP) compliance as identified by Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) staff were surveyed for the most recent stormwater compliance costs. Demonstrating meaningful progress is defined in this report as implementing activities specifically presented in the Storm Water Management Plans (SWMPs). Because permits use an iterative approach that increases requirements until water quality objectives are met, current levels of implementation may not be the ultimate MEP standard. This report does not address the benefits of permit compliance activities. Some scenarios addressing ultimate compliance cost are addressed in Task B. Task A was accomplished by the Office of Water Programs (OWP) at California State University, Sacramento (CSUS).

Task B – Alternative Approaches to Stormwater Quality Control

Task B is an assessment of regulatory policy to determine the intent of stormwater regulation regarding advanced treatment. Alternatives for stormwater quality control that are believed to comply with the intent of the regulations are described. Costs were estimated for the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board (LARWQCB) area. Task B was accomplished by the University of Southern California (USC) and the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA).