Integrated Planning Implementation Documents

• Integrated Planning Framework
• Permitting Authority Toolkit
• Fact Sheets
• Resources
• Memorandums and Reports
• Guidance

Integrated Planning Framework

• Integrated Municipal Stormwater and Wastewater Planning Approach Framework (pdf) (396.28 KB) – Provides guidance for EPA, states, and local governments to develop and implement effective integrated plans under the CWA. This framework was finalized after extensive public input including a series of workshops across the country.

Permitting Authority Toolkit

• IP Toolkit Module 1 - Informing (pdf) (3.01 MB)
  • IP Toolkit - Benefits for Permittees (pptx) (11.1 MB)
  • IP Toolkit - Elected Officials (pptx) (6.29 MB)
• IP Toolkit Module 2 - Collaborating (pdf) (2.91 MB)
• IP Toolkit Module 3 - Incorporating (pdf) (2.48 MB)
  • Integrated Planning Toolkit Module 3 Workbook (xlsm)
  • Integrated Planning Toolkit Module 3 Workbook Instructional Video:

Fact Sheets

• Integrated Planning Basics Fact Sheet (pdf) (2.35 MB)
• Integrated Planning Getting Started Fact Sheet (pdf) (1.97 MB)
• Integrated Planning in Action: Funding the Development of an Integrated Plan (pdf) (1.49 MB)
• Integrated Planning in Action: Funding Integrated Plan Implementation (pdf) (2.4 MB)
• Determining Requirements and Drivers Fact Sheet (pdf) (2.48 MB)
• Adapting for Success Fact Sheet (pdf) (2.59 MB)
• Integrated Municipal Stormwater and Wastewater Planning Frequently Asked Questions

Resources

• Long-Term Stormwater Planning: A Voluntary Guide for Communities (pdf) (9.68 MB) lays out a voluntary process that any community can use to apply long-term planning to stormwater management as a part of an Integrated Planning approach or as a standalone effort. The information developed through this process can be incorporated into an integrated plan. EPA’s Stormwater Planning webpage includes details on the long-term stormwater planning process and background. It also contains resources that may be helpful throughout the integrated planning process, including information and worksheets about:
  • Stormwater Asset Management
  • Stormwater Infrastructure Financing/Funding
  • Stormwater & Green Infrastructure Opportunities Assessment
  • Incorporating Green Infrastructure into Roadway Projects
  • Stakeholder Involvement
  • Development and Redevelopment Policies
• Planning for Sustainability: A Handbook for Water and Wastewater Utilities (pdf) (925.85 KB) - This handbook details steps utilities can undertake to enhance their existing planning processes to ensure that water infrastructure investments are cost-effective over their life-cycle, resource efficient and support other relevant community goals.
• Making the Right Choices for Your Utility: Using Sustainability Criteria for Water Infrastructure Decision Making - EPA works with utilities and stakeholders using this decision-making guide where water sector utilities can use sustainability criteria in the comparison of various infrastructure alternatives. These sustainability criteria are based on a Triple Bottom Line approach (environmental, economic, and social) and can be used under element four of EPA’s Integrated Planning Framework. This provides a wider perspective than more traditional criteria which are usually based on regulatory, cost, or performance considerations.

Memorandums and Reports

• EPA's 2021 Report to Congress on Integrated Plans (pdf) (16.23 MB) - This report describes EPA’s Integrated Planning Framework which lays out a flexible process and includes overarching principles and six essential elements that integrated plans should address. It also showcases 13 municipalities’ water quality challenges, integrated planning priorities, infrastructure investments and preliminary results.
• Implementation of Integrated Planning in Accordance with the 2019 Water Infrastructure Improvement Act - EPA memorandum highlighting new provisions in the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act (WIIA), signed into law on January 14, 2019, and how EPA will continue to support communities and states on integrated planning and green infrastructure.
• Implementation of Integrated Planning and Green Infrastructure through Enforcement Tools - EPA memorandum intended to ensure consistent implementation WIIA which requires EPA to inform municipalities of the opportunity to develop an integrated plan and to promote the use of green infrastructure, as appropriate, in consent decrees and settlement agreements in enforcement actions.

Guidance

• Clean Water Act Financial Capability Assessment Guidance (2024 Revision) (pdf) (1.19 MB) – Provides guidance for communities to evaluate their capability to fund CWA control measures in both the permitting and enforcement context.
  • Financial Capability Assessment (FCA) Framework for Municipal Clean Water Act Requirements – Provides greater clarity on the flexibilities built into the FCA guidance that local governments or authorities can use in assessing their financial capability.