Frequent Questions

The Urban Watershed Management Research web site offers answers to frequently asked questions about Urban Wet-Weather Flow and Infrastructure Integrity topics. Click display to view the answer or hide to remove it. Links throughout the answers will guide you to further information on our web site or to other sources.

View common questions related to other topics, EPA Programs and Regional Offices.

1. Where can I find information about stormwater models?
2. How do I obtain program documents?
3. I am interested in contacting someone about a local environmental incident.
4. Is there any concerns with having a BMP built next to my home?
5. Is there a list server on wet-weather flow topics?
6. I see that you have seminars, how can I be informed of upcoming events?
7. How do I get a job with your branch?
8. How do I get an Internships and Post-graduate positions?
9. Why do beach closings occur?
10. I have a problem downloading one of your reports. Who should I contact?

Should you have any further questions, please consult our Contact Us page. Also search through our Downloadable Publications, or view Related Resources.

Question 1. Where can I find information about stormwater models?

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Answer. EPA maintains a current version of the Stormwater management model in CC+. You can find more SWMM Information here. There are more links to stormwater models under our Related Links section.

Question 2. How do I obtain program documents?

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Answer. Recent Reports are available on this website for download. Older reports can be obtained by FTP access here. You can also download certain reports from our Publications section.

Question 3. I am interested in contacting someone about a local environmental incident.

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Answer. As we are a national research organization, our branch doesn’t deal with the individual incidents. An issue like this is best rectified by contacting local health department or state environmental departments. EPA has compiled a list of state agencies at: http://www.epa.gov/epahome/state.htm. In case of an emergency, e.g. fuel spill, contact first responders, typically local fire department and/or police department. To report oil and chemical spills, call the National Response Center: 1-800-424-8802.

Question 4. Is there any concerns with having a BMP built next to my home?

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Answer. No. Properly designed and maintained BMPs should not provide habitat for mosquitoes. There is always the possibility of inappropriate or illegal discharges to stormwater systems. We maintain a publication on inappropriate discharges under our publication listing. Office of Water also has an updated report on inappropriate discharges. Stormwater ponds are not designed for recreational contact activities like swimming, fishing, boating, or ice skating.

Question 5. Is there a list server on wet-weather flow topics?

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Answer. Our Related Links page has a link to OWOW NPS information (non-point source) link listserver.

Question 6. I see that you have seminars, how can I be informed of upcoming events?

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Answer. We maintain an email list of all seminar attendees, if you wish to be added to the list please email the Urban Watershed Management Branch (urban.watershed@epa.gov). View our calendar events.

Question 7. How do I get a job with your branch?

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Answer. This branch does not advertise positions directly. To view advertisements go to USAJOBS.

Question 8. How do I get an Internships and Post-graduate positions?

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Answer. Please visit the U.S. EPA NRMRL's Employment Opportunities section.

Question 9. Why do beach closings occur?

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Answer. This question is best answered by the Beaches website maintained by Office of Water.

Question 10. I have a problem downloading one of your reports. Who should I contact?

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Answer. Any technical issues with the operation of the Urban Watershed Management Research portion of this web site should be directed to the Urban Watershed Management Branch (urban.watershed@epa.gov). EPA's Internet Technical Support can assist you if you are experiencing technical problems with EPA's Web site, FTP, downloading files, etc.