Columbia Integrated Management Plan
Columbia Integrated Management Plan
Balancing Future Wastewater and Stormwater Programmatic and Capital Needs Using EPA’s Integrated Planning Framework
In 2017, the City of Columbia recognized that the typical regulatory process limited its ability to prioritize affordable and protective solutions to resolve critical environmental and public health issues.
To more efficiently manage their wastewater and stormwater utilities, the City and HDR evaluated the timing and magnitude of future regulatory drivers, assessment of current wastewater and stormwater programs, prioritization of water quality improvements, recommendations regarding utility sustainability, and affordability analyses. The goal of the Integrated Management Plan was to develop an adaptable and affordable long-term plan that addresses the City’s wastewater and stormwater management needs and meets Clean Water Act requirements.
The IMP was developed based on guidance presented in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Integrated Municipal Stormwater and Wastewater Planning Approach Framework. We led development of an IMP that balanced future wastewater and stormwater programmatic and capital needs using EPA’s Integrated Planning framework. The planning effort also included a comprehensive public outreach program to ensure that community priorities were captured.
The Columbia IMP was the first approved integrated plan in Missouri and was recently memorialized in the City’s NPDES permit.
Introducing EPA's Integrated Planning Element 4: Analyzing and Prioritizing Projects Webinar
This webinar hosted by Environmental Finance Center of UNC helps you learn how to evaluate both stormwater and wastewater projects when developing your integrated plan. Element 4 of EPA’s integrated planning process is key to assessing and prioritizing which suite of projects should be implemented to meet water quality goals. Trent Stober, our Director of Utility Management Services, elaborated on cost-benefit analysis and how the City found an optimized and affordable approach to meet clean water goals and requirements.
