From Storms to Supply: Creating Frameworks to Integrate Stormwater Capture into Water Supply Planning

Date: Presented at StormCon 2024 in Reno, Nevada on August 28, 2024
Speakers: Shannon Spurlock, Dave Smith & Seth Brown
Credits: 0.75 PDH / Approved for all Envirocert International, Inc. (ECI) Certifications: Approval #PDH-0042

This session shares lessons learned from a national project designed to create frameworks and tools to assist utilities in integrating stormwater capture and use (SCU) into their water supply planning. It is estimated that systematic SCU could meet more than half of municipal and industrial water needs in the nation’s urban areas, about the same amount of supply achievable through wastewater recycling. This session will focus on SCU for water supply augmentation where a primary objective includes augmenting use of existing supplies through potable and/or non-potable applications. We will also consider opportunities to pursue SCU in water-rich regions that may be motivated by other challenges. Tapping stormwater to augment water supplies may seem a simple and logical goal, but the practical reality is that a considerable array of challenges must be overcome. Water utilities need pragmatic guidance for considering SCU and then integrating stormwater into water supply planning in a way that meets the needs of multiple parties while also meeting complex regulatory obligations within available funding resources. To be useful to busy water professionals, this guidance must be presented through easy-to-apply frameworks, tools and resources.

Session duration: 45 minutes

About the Presenters

Shannon Spurlock, a Senior Researcher of Public Policy & Practice Uptake at the Pacific Institute, develops and implements strategies for advancing policies and practices that integrate and scale multiple benefit approaches into public policy and planning. Currently she is leading research to determine the volumetric and economic potential of stormwater capture and use in Colorado. Ms. Spurlock holds a B.A. from the University of Colorado, Boulder and a Master of Nonprofit Management from Regis University.

Dave Smith, Founder and Principal, Water Innovation Services, assists local, state and federal agencies, NGOs, research partners, and business clients in envisioning innovation opportunities and strategies. During my 31 years with U.S. EPA, I was an Assistant Water Director in the Pacific Southwest Region, manager of each Clean Water Act core program, and a proud member of the national Water Reuse Action Team. I am an experienced Water Manager with a demonstrated history of working to catalyze innovation in water system and water quality management. Skilled in Organizational Development and Management, Policy Analysis, and Research at the intersection between environmental science, policy, and institutional development. Strong administrative professional with a BA focused in Political Science from Wesleyan University, a Master of Public Policy from University of California, Berkeley, and more than 30 years of experience in multiple water quality management programs at U.S. EPA and other organizations.

Seth Brown has over 25 years of experience in the water sector and is the Principal and Founder of Storm and Stream Solutions, LLC and is currently the Executive Director of the National Municipal Stormwater Alliance, which is a 501.c.3 representing stormwater-focused organizations in 24 states. Seth has a Ph.D. in civil engineering from George Mason University, teaches courses on water-related topics, and is a licensed professional engineer in the state of Maryland.