News Releases from Region 03

EPA Awards $1.95 million grant to Alexandria, Va., Foundation

PHILADELPHIA (May 6, 2016) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a $1.95 million grant today to the Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF) of Alexandria, Va., to develop tools that will help communities nationwide choose the best ways to control stormwater runoff.

Due to aging water infrastructure systems and regulatory requirements, stormwater management is an expensive challenge for many communities.  WERF’s research will focus on the most cost-effective options. This will include green infrastructure practices that enhance natural ecological functions, such as growing gardens on roofs or building artificial ponds, to help manage stormwater and combined sewer overflows.

“Green Infrastructure is a cost-effective, resilient approach to managing stormwater runoff that provides many community benefits,” said EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Shawn M. Garvin. “This research grant will provide an understanding of the costs and benefits of stormwater infrastructure alternatives using tools assessing expense, design and performance.”

Working with multiple universities, WERF will develop tools that communities can use to evaluate the costs and benefits for options to manage stormwater runoff and combined sewer overflows.

To learn more about EPA’s grant to WERF, visit www.epa.gov/research-grants/water-research-grants.