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An Ocean Blueprint for the 21st Century - California Ocean ...

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Chapter 14: Addressing Coastal Water PollutionRecommendation 14–1The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), working with states, should requireadvanced nutrient removal <strong>for</strong> wastewater treatment plant discharges that contribute todegradation of nutrient-impaired waters as needed to attain water quality standards. EPAshould also determine <strong>the</strong> extent of <strong>the</strong> impact of chemicals in wastewater from residentialand industrial sources, including pharmaceuticals.In particular, EPA should:• support research and demonstration projects <strong>for</strong> biological nutrient removal and o<strong>the</strong>rinnovative advanced treatment processes to eliminate nitrogen and phosphorus fromwastewater discharges.• ensure that in<strong>for</strong>mation about innovative advanced treatment processes and technologiesis widely disseminated.• support development of technologies to reduce concentrations of pharmaceuticals,personal care product ingredients, and o<strong>the</strong>r biologically active contaminants in wastewatertreatment plant discharges.Recommendation 14–2The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), working with states, should increase technicaland financial assistance to help communities improve <strong>the</strong> permitting, design, installation,operation, and maintenance of septic systems and o<strong>the</strong>r on-site treatment facilities. State andlocal governments, with assistance from EPA, should adopt and en<strong>for</strong>ce more effective buildingcodes and zoning ordinances <strong>for</strong> septic systems and should improve public educationabout <strong>the</strong> benefits of regular maintenance.Recommendation 14–3The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and <strong>the</strong> U.S. Department of Agriculture(USDA) should support research on <strong>the</strong> removal of nutrients from animal wastes that maypollute water bodies and on <strong>the</strong> impact of pharmaceuticals and o<strong>the</strong>r contaminants on waterquality. EPA and USDA should also develop improved best management practices that retainnutrients and pathogens from animal waste on agricultural lands. Where necessary to meetwater quality standards, states should issue regulatory controls on concentrated animal feedingoperations in addition to those required by EPA.Recommendation 14–4The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), working with state and local governmentsand o<strong>the</strong>r stakeholders, should develop and periodically review a comprehensive long-termplan to maintain and upgrade <strong>the</strong> nation’s aging and inadequate wastewater and drinkingwater infrastructure, anticipating demands <strong>for</strong> increased capacity to serve growing populations,correction of sewer overflows, and more stringent treatment in <strong>the</strong> coming decades. Toimplement this plan, Congress should significantly increase <strong>the</strong> Clean Water and DrinkingWater State Revolving Funds.Recommendation 14–5The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, working with states, should experiment with tradablecredits <strong>for</strong> nutrients and sediment as a water pollution management tool and evaluate<strong>the</strong> ongoing effectiveness of such programs in reducing water pollution.Recommendation 14–6The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, working with states, should modernize <strong>the</strong> NationalPollutant Discharge Elimination System’s monitoring and in<strong>for</strong>mation management system andstreng<strong>the</strong>n <strong>the</strong> program’s en<strong>for</strong>cement to achieve greater compliance with permits.CHAPTER 31: SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS495

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