Water Quality Training Event Reaches Audience Onsite and Online

Approximately 800 people joined the discussion about water quality during two simultaneous workshop–webcast events on Nov. 28 and 29.

From its headquarters in Washington, D.C., the World Resources Institute (WRI) hosted workshops co-sponsored by WRI, the Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.), and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

On Nov. 28, EPA held a discussion of the needs and perspectives of potential water quality trading buyers and sellers, as well as stakeholder interactions. Representatives from water resource recovery facilities and the agriculture, technology, and finance sectors gave presentations on other aspects of water quality trading. In addition, Nancy Stoner, acting assistant administrator of the EPA Office of Water; Ellen Gillinsky, senior policy advisor at EPA; and Patrick Holmes, special assistant to the undersecretary for natural resources at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, made statements supporting water quality trading.

On Nov. 29, WRI and WEF hosted a workshop that explored technical aspects of trading, such as local water quality issues and the development of baselines, as well as ensuring market frameworks. Water quality trading researchers, regulators, and practitioners also discussed the emerging role of stormwater and municipal separate storm sewer systems in trading programs.

Anyone interested in the topic but unable to travel had the opportunity to participate online through free webcasts that covered the workshops in real time. Webcast participants were able to ask questions and participate in the discussion. PDF versions of the presentations are available on WEF’s Water Quality Trading Workshops and Webinars website. In addition, the workshops were recorded and will be made available online.