Green Infrastructure for Water Quality Management in 欧美口爆视频
Water Quality Management in 欧美口爆视频
Overview of Senate Bill SB24-037
欧美口爆视频 was signed into law by Governor Polis in May 2024. Recognizing the significance of this initiative, upon signing the bill, 鈥淚鈥檓 so excited by the opportunity to reduce costs, benefit our climate, and protect our water. Traditional gray infrastructure removes pollutants from water before getting released back into circulation but it鈥檚 very costly and energy-intensive. We know green infrastructure can do it more efficiently and in better ways.鈥
This law directs the University of 欧美口爆视频's Mortenson Center in Global Engineering & Resilience (欧美口爆视频 Boulder) and 欧美口爆视频 State University (CSU), to work in partnership with the 欧美口爆视频 Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), to explore the feasibility of green infrastructure to address water quality concerns in 欧美口爆视频鈥檚 rivers and reservoirs.听
- Green infrastructure refers to interconnected networks of green spaces offering water quality management solutions as alternatives to traditional centralized water and wastewater treatment facilities, also known as gray infrastructure. These watershed-scale solutions assist municipalities and other water providers in pursuing pre-permit compliance with state and federal water quality standards, thereby improving water quality while meeting regulatory requirements.
- These types of water quality management approaches, known as Water Quality Trading, have been long supported by the , and in 欧美口爆视频 through the 听
- This study will also examine innovative project funding mechanisms, including federal grants and private sector-supported carbon credits.听
What to Expect from our Feasibility Study
Further, under the supervision and direction of CDPHE, 欧美口爆视频 Boulder and CSU are directed to identify up to three pilot projects with utility and municipal partners across 欧美口爆视频. These projects will showcase the implementation and financing of green infrastructure as an alternative compliance program. Each project can operate for up to five years, with technical assistance provided by the universities. The resulting comprehensive report will include legislative and administrative recommendations to advance green infrastructure and financing mechanisms for water quality management in these projects and across 欧美口爆视频.
Engage with Us
We invite municipalities, utilities, non-profits, and other watershed stakeholders to explore this innovative approach with CDPHE, University of 欧美口爆视频, and 欧美口爆视频 State University. Our goal is to create a more attractive and scalable framework for improving water quality with green infrastructure across 欧美口爆视频. By working together, we can uphold high benchmarks for non-point source nutrient removal, achieve substantial environmental benefits, and provide economic savings for regional utility ratepayers, while addressing instream water quality issues.
Contact us to learn more about how your local treatment facility may be a fit for this initiative.听 听听
Green vs.听Gray Infrastructure Opportunity Identification Tool
In order to enable scaling of water quality trading programs in 欧美口爆视频, we must provide a comprehensive integrated life cycle and techno-economic assessment. We are developing an integrated TEA and LCA assessment tool that is founded on robust technology characterization modeling coupled with geospatial data. The work includes expanding the foundational modeling capabilities to better capture existing point source discharger performance, current gray infrastructure upgrade options, and green technology solutions. A preliminary demonstration of this tool is shown above.听
