WEF Announces a Framework for STEPP Initiative

In July, the National Stormwater Testing and Evaluation for Products and Practices (STEPP) initiative crossed a milestone with the release of a document that provides recommendations for potential program design components. The document, Framework for a National Testing and Evaluation Program Based Upon the National Stormwater Testing and Evaluation for Products and Practices (STEPP) Initiative (Project No. INFR2R14), also addresses both general and individual aspects of the program. Download the report, free of charge, from the Water Environment & Reuse Foundation (Alexandria, Va.) website.

Through the Stormwater Institute, the Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) assembled the advisory committee and research team that worked on this project and managed the development of the framework report.

The framework describes a suggested three-step process to establish the National STEPP Program. In the first stage, the STEPP Advisory Committee will continue its operations; the second stage involves the introductory period of the National STEPP Program; and the newly established program will operate in the third stage.

The STEPP initiative seeks to fill the void created by the lack of a national stormwater control measure (SCM) testing and verification program. In February 2014, WEF released the white paper, Investigation into the Feasibility of a National Testing and Evaluation Program for Stormwater Products and Practices, recommending the formation of the national testing and evaluation program for stormwater products and practices.

For more information about the new framework, read the Stormwater Report article, “Framework for STEPP initiative released.” Learn more about the National STEPP initiative on the WEF website.