An Introduction to the Water Elements of EPA's Strategic Plan

EPA's current Strategic Plan charts a course for the Agency over the five years 2006 - 2011. The Plan is organized around five key goals –

• Clean Air and Global Climate Change;
• Clean and Safe Water;
• Land Preservation and Restoration;
• Healthy Communities and Ecosystems; and
• Compliance and Environmental Stewardship.

The Clean and Safe Water Goal of the Strategic Plan states:

Ensure drinking water is safe. Restore and maintain oceans, watersheds, and their aquatic ecosystems to protect human health, support economic and recreational activities, and provide healthy habitat for fish, plants, and wildlife.

Within the Clean and Safe Water Goal, there are specific objectives for protecting human health and protecting water quality. In addition, some key water programs, such as protection of wetlands, estuaries, and great waterbodies, (e.g. the Great Lakes), are addressed in the Healthy Communities and Ecosystems Goal. The chart below shows the water elements of the Strategic Plan.

WHAT ARE WE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH?

With the help of States, Tribes and other partners, EPA expects to make progress toward protecting human health and improving water quality by 2011 on the following:

• Water Safe to Drink: Increase the percent of the population served by community drinking water systems that receive drinking water that meets all applicable health-based drinking water standards;

• Fish and Shellfish Safe to Eat: Reduce the public health risk and allow increased consumption of fish and shellfish;

• Water Safe for Swimming: Improve the quality of our recreational waters;

• Healthy Watersheds: Use pollution prevention and restoration approaches to protect the quality of rivers, lakes, and streams on a watershed basis;

• Healthy Coastal Waters: Prevent water pollution and protect coastal and ocean systems to improve national and coastal aquatic ecosystem health; and

• More Wetlands: Achieve a net increase in wetlands acres with additional focus on assessment of wetland condition.

Each of the major subobjectives is supported by additional "strategic targets" that further define expected improvements in human health and water quality by 2011. In addition, the Healthy Communities and Ecosystems Goal includes specific expectations of progress to be made by 2011 in critical estuaries, the Mexico Border area, the Gulf of Mexico, the Great Lakes, the Chesapeake Bay, the Pacific Island Territories, Long Island Sound, the Puget Sound Basin, and the Columbia River Basin.

WHAT IS THE STRATEGY?

The Strategic Plan describes, in general terms, how we expect to accomplish each of the health and environmental goals over the next five years. Three key strategies will drive progress toward these clean and safe water goals:

• Core Programs: Continue effective implementation of core national water programs, giving priority to improving water quality monitoring and information management, as well as working with state partners to strengthen water quality standards, improve discharge permits, and reduce pollution from diffuse or “nonpoint” sources.

• Water Infrastructure: Help sustain and secure the network of pipes and treatment facilities that constitute the nation’s water infrastructure through investments in State Revolving Loan funds, pursuit of innovative financing, local adoption of sustainable management practices, and an increased commitment to water efficiency as well as partnerships and technical assistance to enhance the abilities of utilities to plan for, prevent, detect, and respond to security threats.

• Watershed Restoration and Protection: Apply a watershed approach ot restoring polluted waters across the country, including developing Total Maximum Daily Loads, implementing clean-up plans on a watershed basis, and promoting innovative, cost-effective practices like water quality trading and watershed permitting to restore and protect water quality.

NEXT STEPS

• In the Spring of 2008, the Office of Water issued the National Water Program Guidance for FY 2009 for EPA Regions and States/Tribes to use as they develop more detailed workplans for FY 2009;

• At the mid-point and end of FY 2009, EPA will work with States and Tribes to assess progress and make needed program changes.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

You can find more information about the water elements of the Strategic Plan, including the FY 2009 National Water Program Guidance on the Office of Water website.

Reference Information | Web Satisfaction Survey

EPA Home | Privacy and Security Notice | Contact Us