Water Quality Trading Toolkit for Permit Writers

The Water Quality Trading Toolkit for Permit Writers provides NPDES permitting authorities with the tools to incorporate trading provisions into permits. The Toolkit is a “how-to” manual for designing and implementing water quality trading programs consistent with EPA’s 2003 National Water Quality Trading Policy. The Toolkit aids in improving the quality and consistency of trading programs across the nation.

Beginning with the fundamentals, the Toolkit also covers several trading scenarios, includes sample permit language, and presents fact sheets of trading programs across the country (see Appendix A link below).

• Fact Sheet on Water Quality Trading Toolkit for Permit Writers (pdf) (33.04 KB)

Full Document

• Part 1: Fundamentals and Scenarios (pdf) (5.79 MB)
• Part 2: Appendices (pdf) (10.27 MB)

Chapters

• Fundamentals of Water Quality Trading (pdf) (1.99 MB)
• Water Quality Trading Scenarios
  • Single Point Source–Single Point Source Trading Scenario (pdf) (429.45 KB)
  • Multiple Facility Point Source Trading Scenario (pdf) (477.76 KB)
  • Point Source Credit Exchange Trading Scenario (pdf) (470.42 KB)
  • Point Source–Nonpoint Source Trading Scenario (pdf) (1.37 MB)
  • Nonpoint Source Credit Exchange Trading Scenario (pdf) (1.04 MB)
• Keys to Success Poster (pdf) (114.78 KB)
• Glossary (pdf) (92.53 KB)
• References (pdf) (59.29 KB)

Appendices

• Appendix A: Water Quality Trading Program Fact Sheets (pdf) (2.71 MB)
  This appendix included 12 detailed case studies of trading programs that existed when the Toolkit was developed. It focuses on data and methodologies to develop the program and includes permit language detailing trading provisions. EPA has updated three of these case studies, which can be found on the Case Studies webpage.
• Appendix B: EPA’s 2003 National Water Quality Trading Policy (pdf) (3.12 MB)
• Appendix C: Water Quality Trading Forms (pdf) (3.62 MB)
• Appendix D: Use of EPA Cost Share (pdf) (373.09 KB)
• Appendix E: Permit Writers’ Checklists (pdf) (167.52 KB)
• Appendix F: Trading with Subsurface Septic Systems (pdf) (219.32 KB)
• Appendix G: Sediment and Nutrient Trades with Forestry and Drinking Water Treatment Facility (pdf) (304.94 KB)