{"id":114600,"date":"2021-10-29T13:15:48","date_gmt":"2021-10-29T17:15:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/savethewater.org\/?p=114600"},"modified":"2022-02-26T15:00:42","modified_gmt":"2022-02-26T20:00:42","slug":"114600-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/savethewater.org\/114600-2\/","title":{"rendered":"The Future of Water Quality Trading"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Emma Cheriegate, Staff Researcher & Writer at Save the Water\u2122 | October 29th, 2021<\/span><\/p>\n

Credit programs to mitigate pollution are no stranger to current-day environmental conversations. The idea of emitters gaining buyer credits for reducing their pollution isn\u2019t new, with many <\/span>existing carbon credit programs<\/span><\/a> to choose from.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A lesser-known trading system also exists, but for water. Water quality trading, under <\/span>Section 402<\/span><\/a> of the Clean Water Act (CWA), is an option for sources of water pollution to gain credits by reducing pollution.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Reducing pollution is a <\/span>costly and complex process<\/span><\/a>, and certain sources (such as a sewage treatment plant) face higher prices than others. Water quality<\/a> trading is the process in which a point source pays for credits that represent pollution reductions. However, these pollution reductions occur <\/span>at another location, like a farm<\/span><\/a>, (where achieving the reduction is cheaper), not the original point source. This way, the source is able to meet regulatory requirements without going into significant debt.<\/span><\/p>\n

Water pollution is an ever-changing issue in the United States, and <\/span>federal legislation for it dates back to 1948.<\/span><\/a> So, how have guidelines evolved over time, and is WQT a viable way of reducing contamination in our water?<\/span><\/p>\n

What is Water Quality Trading, and how is it helpful?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Facilities operate under permits that manage the amount of nutrient discharge allowed into water bodies, like a nearby river. Nitrogen and phosphorus are common discharge nutrients released by point sources such as industrial facilities, and nonpoint sources such as runoff from nearby roads. By including water quality trading options, both point and nonpoint sources have the option to meet permit requirements through a water trading credit program. <\/span>Under the EPA<\/span><\/a>, polluters can receive credits for reducing the following items:<\/span><\/p>\n