Management of wet weather flows in the wastewater collection and treatment system has remained one of the most intractable problems for wastewater managers, who have struggled to get approvals for affordable wet weather flow management plans. With the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (U.S. EPA's) introduction of the "Integrated Municipal Stormwater and Wastewater Planning Approach Framework" (2012a), there is the potential that many more wet weather management plans will incorporate stormwater management, in addition to the regulated components of wastewater conveyance and treatment systems.
Guide for Municipal Wet Weather Strategies provides a clear and common understanding of what constitutes generally accepted planning and engineering practices and a process for selecting the optimum wet weather management option. All of this supports the proposition that to effectively manage flows and protect human health and the environment, the approach should be holistic and watershed-based. Guide for Municipal Wet Weather Strategies is intended not only for owners, planners, designers, and operators of municipal wastewater collection and treatment systems, but for regulators and other stakeholders involved in managing wet weather flows.