EPA's Water Quality Trading Toolkit for Permit Writers is a “how-to” manual on designing and implementing water quality trading programs. The Toolkit helps NPDES permitting authorities incorporate trading provisions into permits. It will help improve the quality and consistency of trading programs across the nation.
- Fact Sheet on Water Quality Trading Toolkit for Permit Writers
- Frequently Asked Questions about Water Quality Trading
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Full Document
- Part 1: Fundamentals and Scenarios (PDF) (203 pp, 4.5MB)
- Part 2: Appendices (PDF) (208 pp, 8.3MB)
Chapters
- Fundamentals of Water Quality Trading (PDF) (55 pp, 1.6MB)
- Water Quality Trading Scenarios
- Single Point Source – Single Point Source Trading Scenario (PDF) (22 pp, 449K)
- Multiple Facility Point Source Trading Scenario (PDF) (22 pp, 685K)
- Point Source Credit Exchange Trading Scenario (PDF) (24 pp, 496K)
- Point Source – Nonpoint Source Trading Scenario (PDF) (34 pp, 1.2MB)
- Nonpoint Source Credit Exchange Trading Scenario (PDF) (38 pp, 868K)
- Keys to Success Poster (PDF) (1 pg, 89K)
- Glossary (PDF) (6 pp, 97K)
- References (PDF) (2 pp, 72K)
Appendices
- Appendix A: Water Quality Trading Program Fact Sheets (PDF) (120 pp, 1.1MB)
This appendix includes 12 detailed case studies of existing trading programs. It focuses on data and methodologies to develop the program and includes permit language detailing trading provisions.
- Appendix B: EPA’s 2003 National Water Quality Trading Policy (PDF) (14 pp, 3.1MB)
- Appendix C: Water Quality Trading Forms (PDF) (20 pp, 3.6MB)
- Appendix D: Use of EPA Cost Share (PDF) (8 pp, 364K)
- Appendix E: Permit Writer Checklists (PDF) (14 pp, 138K)
- Appendix F: Trading with Subsurface Septic Systems (PDF) (12 pp, 162K)
- Appendix G: Sediment and Nutrient Trades with Forestry and Drinking Water Treatment Facility (PDF) (20 pp, 386K)