Based on recent comments by EPA officials, evaluating and communicating the value of water is going to be a top priority in the coming year. In recent public appearances, as well as in her remarks to the NDWAC on December 15, Acting Assistant Administrator for Water, Nancy Stoner has emphasized the importance of a sustainable supply of clean water to economic development. Recent statements by EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson have also included significant statements on maintaining and upgrading the nation’s deteriorating water infrastructure and the employment and economic activity such investments generate.
As EPA outreach efforts continue to emphasize the value of water, EPA is also working to develop more robust quantitative measures of water value. During a December 5 teleconference, EPA conducted an initial consultation with its SAB to gather resources and get recommendations on how to better value water resources. The SAB provided mostly process recommendations that EPA could use as it moves forward in its efforts to better value both the market and non-market values of a clean and sustainable water supply. Non-market water values represent an area that is particularly undervalued in many current EPA analyses. After conducting additional background research into the areas suggested by the SAB, EPA plans to convene additional SAB panels to conduct further evaluations of more specific valuation topics.
EPA’s renewed emphasis on value of water research and communications comes at a time of significant economic and political uncertainty. Many see the communications effort as a vital process for maintaining the requisite public and political support for funding, particularly related to necessary infrastructure maintenance and upgrades. A more cynical take is that these valuation efforts are simply part of the process that EPA will use to justify costly proposed regulations, particularly related to storm water control and sanitary sewer overflows. There is probably some truth in both views, and the discussions will warrant close monitoring as EPA solicits additional public input as the process moves forward.