Regional Cooperation for Water Quality Improvement in Southwestern Pennsylvania
Regional Cooperation for Water Quality Improvement in Southwestern Pennsylvania

Author: National Research Council

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2005-04-04

Total Pages: 294

ISBN-13: 0309181313

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The city of Pittsburgh and surrounding area of southwestern Pennsylvania face complex water quality problems, due in large part to aging wastewater infrastructures that cannot handle sewer overflows and stormwater runoff, especially during wet weather. Other problems such as acid mine drainage are a legacy of the region's past coal mining, heavy industry, and manufacturing economy. Currently, water planning and management in southwestern Pennsylvania is highly fragmented; federal and state governments, 11 counties, hundreds of municipalities, and other entities all play roles, but with little coordination or cooperation. The report finds that a comprehensive, watershed-based approach is needed to effectively meet water quality standards throughout the region in the most cost-effective manner. The report outlines both technical and institutional alternatives to consider in the development and implementation of such an approach.

Urban Stormwater Management in the United States
Urban Stormwater Management in the United States

Author: National Research Council

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2009-03-17

Total Pages: 611

ISBN-13: 0309125391

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The rapid conversion of land to urban and suburban areas has profoundly altered how water flows during and following storm events, putting higher volumes of water and more pollutants into the nation's rivers, lakes, and estuaries. These changes have degraded water quality and habitat in virtually every urban stream system. The Clean Water Act regulatory framework for addressing sewage and industrial wastes is not well suited to the more difficult problem of stormwater discharges. This book calls for an entirely new permitting structure that would put authority and accountability for stormwater discharges at the municipal level. A number of additional actions, such as conserving natural areas, reducing hard surface cover (e.g., roads and parking lots), and retrofitting urban areas with features that hold and treat stormwater, are recommended.

Urban Runoff Quality Management
Urban Runoff Quality Management

Author: Water Environment Federation

Publisher: ASCE Publications

Published: 1998-01-01

Total Pages: 304

ISBN-13: 9781572780392

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This manual comprises a holistic view of urban runoff quality management. For the beginner, who has little previous exposure to urban runoff quality management, the manual covers the entire subject area from sources and effects of pollutants in urban runoff through the development of management plans and the design of controls. For the municipal stormwater management agency, guidance is given for developing a water quality management plan that takes into account receiving water use objectives, local climatology, regulation, financing and cost, and procedures for comparing various types of controls for suitability and cost effectiveness in a particular area. This guidance will also assist owners of large-scale urban development projects in cost-effectively and aesthetically integrating water quality control to the drainage plan. The manual is also directed to designers who desire a self-contained unit that discusses the design of specific quality controls for urban runoff.