In early May, the New England Water Environment Association (NEWEA) held “Wet-Weather Issues, Stormwater and CSOs,” a seminar focusing on stormwater utilities, green infrastructure planning and implementation, and stormwater practice performance research. Regulatory updates were also provided by headquarter and regional EPA officials on stormwater and wet weather topics. This successful event was the first event of its kind for NEWEA, and considering the strong attendance and interest, it’s not likely to be the last. Conference attendees and NEWEA members can access proceedings from this event here.

On May 17, the Chesapeake Water Environment Association (CWEA) experienced growing attendance at its second 1-day seminar, “Meeting the Challenge of Achieving Bay Area Stormwater Requirements,” attracting 164 speakers, vendors, and attendees from public and private sectors. Participants were briefed on regulatory details, case studies, research, and new technologies for addressing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Chesapeake Bay total maximum daily load (TMDL) released Dec. 29, 2010. According to CWEA, the TMDL requires jurisdictions — Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia — to implement pollution controls by 2025 capable of cumulative reductions of 25% nitrogen, 24% phosphorus, and 20% sediment, with 60% of the planned pollution controls in place and operating by 2017.

A summary of the event and seminar presentations are available online. CWEA also is planning a stormwater summit meeting in September and a November seminar on wet weather issues. Check here for more information.