If performance data is provided to decision makers, it often comes from manufacturers.  Much of this data is derived from reputable sources such as the New Jersey Department of Environment Protection program, the Washington Department of Ecology Technology Assessment Protocol – Ecology (TAPE) program or the International BMP Database but it is difficult for many decision makers to navigate these sources to confirm the data.  New Jersey uses lab testing, and the State of Washington uses field testing.  The BMP Database contains every kind of data but it is not curated so the quality of the data is not assured.

A new national source of quality assured information, the Stormwater Testing and Evaluation of Products and Practices (STEPP) program, is leveraging resources from several different organizations in order to improve the way data is produced and reported going forward.  STEPP, which was initiated by the Water Environment Federation (WEF) and is now led by the National Municipal Stormwater Alliance (NMSA), will provide stormwater managers with tools for evaluating performance of SCMs and guidance on how to use the tools.  The initial focus will likely focus on high priority pollutants of interest such as sediment, trash and plastics, and nutrients, but the vision is to expand the program in the future to include additional pollutants as well as including both proprietary products (manufactured treatment devices, or MTDs) as well as public domain practices, including green infrastructure.

The STEPP program also uses a recently established ASTM Committee, E64 Stormwater Control Measures.  This is a significant step for the industry, ASTM does not form new committees very often.

The new Committee has 4 subcommittees that includes Lab Evaluation, Field Evaluation, Apparatus and Research Processes, and Non-point Sources.  These subcommittees are currently developing several standards and three new standards have been published so far this year.  Additional subcommittees will be added as the committee evolves.

The presentation describes the STEPP program, how it is organized, how end users can take advantage of it, and why and how it is applied in Virginia.  In addition, the presentation will discuss an overview of the ASTM Stormwater Committee and how it is relevant to the stormwater industry.  It will also introduce the new standards and describe how the current ASTM work relates to STEPP.