Policy and Position Statements

Position statements provide clean water advocates and the public an understanding of how SWEMA approaches stormwater regulatory policies and rulemaking. The position statements are a collaboration between SWEMA’s member companies, the Technical Committee and the Government and Regulatory Affairs Committee. 

SWEMA is highly supportive of stormwater management strategies and regulations that incorporate advances in stormwater science, encourage innovation, and successfully protect and restore receiving waters. This position paper argues for a more transparent, equitable, and performance-based framework for post-construction stormwater management that is grounded in robust testing protocols, third-party verification, and clear criteria applicable to all stormwater control measures (SCMs).

Water quality trading (WQT) is a watershed-based, market-driven compliance strategy in which stormwater permittees can satisfy all, or part, of its pollutant reduction obligations by acquiring verified pollutant reduction credits generated by approved projects in other parts of the watershed. This paper represents SWEMA's position on the subject of WQT and includes recommendations for policymakers to utilize when considering how to incorporate credit trading into their compliance toolbox.