Maryland's 2012 Clean Watersheds Needs Survey
Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) is seeking the assistance of county and local governments with the 2012 Clean Watersheds Needs Survey (CWNS) by providing documents and costs of clean water capital projects that address water quality and water quality-related public health problems. The survey is an opportunity to let Congress and the State legislature know the financial and technical needs of Maryland for these projects.
In order to make the CWNS a comprehensive look at Maryland’s needs, we need your input and assistance. While taking part in this survey is voluntary, it can have a big impact for local governments and our state. The results of the survey can influence the amount of money Maryland receives from the federal government to fund clean water projects statewide.
What is the CWNS?
The CWNS is a comprehensive assessment of the capital needs to meet the water quality goals set in the Clean Water Act. Every four years, the states and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) collect information about:
- Publicly-owned wastewater collection and treatment facilities
- Stormwater and combined sewer overflow (CSO) control facilities
- Nonpoint source (NPS) pollution control projects (e.g., stream restoration, water quality-related landfill projects, acid mine drainage projects, and other water quality-related projects)
- Decentralized wastewater management facilities (septic and cluster systems)
Why is the CWNS Important?
This information is used by EPA to document national needs in a Report to Congress. The Report provides Congress, as well as state legislatures, with information to inform budget decisions. For example, the CWNS is used as one of the pieces of information that is used to set the allocations of funds to the states for the State Revolving Fund (SRF) program.
The data is also used to:
- Assist state governments to identify communities that need technical and financial assistance
- Inform local and state governments to implement water quality programs
- Help to measure statewide and nationwide environmental progress
- Contribute to academic research
- Provide information to the public
What Information is Collected During the CWNS?
Information collected about facilities and projects includes:
- Description of the water quality or water quality related public health problem
- Proposed solution to the problem and estimated costs
- Documentation detailing the problem, proposed solution, and its cost
- Location and contact information for facilities and projects
- Technical data on the projects
What is the Schedule for the CWNS?
- January –October 2012: MDE and its contractors will collect data on capital needs for eligible projects in Maryland. Data collection will be conducted by contacting Counties, municipalities, and other entities to collect material documenting needs of the projects.
- October 2012: Official data entry period ends
- January - December 2012: EPA reviews state data to ensure its accuracy and eligibility
- Late 2013: EPA delivers CWNS 2012 Report to Congress and data is publicly available
Useful Information
Maryland CWNS Contacts
- State Coordinator: Elaine Dietz (Maryland Water Quality Finance Administration), edietz@mde.state.md.us or 410-537-3908
- Small Wastewater System Technical Assistance: Karen Brandt, Marland Center for Environmental Training, CWNS@mcet.org
