Integrated Planning in Action
The Basics
Integrated planning is a process for
municipalities to achieve clean water and
human health goals while addressing aging
wastewater and stormwater infrastructure,
changing population and rainfall patterns, and
competing priorities for funding.
EPA developed the 2012 Integrated Municipal
Stormwater and Wastewater Planning Framework
to help municipalities maximize their benefits
through integrated planning while meeting Clean
Water Act requirements. The Framework describes
six elements that should be included in any
integrated plan.
Integrated Planning Framework
Reinforced by Law
In 2019, Congress enacted the Water
Infrastructure Improvement Act (WIIA), which
officially recognizes the Framework as a
voluntary path that municipalities can take to
comply with the Clean Water Act. The WIIA
also requires EPA to continue supporting
communities as they apply the
Framework in their stormwater and
wastewater planning efforts.
Element 6:
Adapt for Success
Element 5:
Measure Performance
Element 4:
Develop, Evaluate, and
Select Preferred Alternatives
Integrated
Planning
Framework
Element 1:
Describe Relevant
Requirements and Drivers
Element 2:
Characterize Existing
Wastewater and
Stormwater Systems
Element 3:
Make Connections
with Stakeholders

-------
2
Integrated Planning in Action
Seattle, WA
~
> Spokane, WA
Washington
County, OR

Exeter/Stratham/
Newfields, NH
Springfield, MA
Hartford, CT
Burlington, IA Lakewood,OH
Boone, IA *.	_' 11
¦., Lima, OH i
* •	fr
Columbia, MO
Lawrence, KS ¦
~
~ Santa Maria, CA
• Los Angeles, CA
® San Diego, CA
Hamilton*
County, OH
•jff Akron
Johnson
County, KS
OH . Richmond, VA
Columbus, OH
Rolla, MO
& Atlanta, GA
Springfield, MO
Municipalities nationwide
are seeing the benefits of
integrated planning.
More than two dozen
municipalities have utilized EPA's
Integrated Planning Framework.
These cities, counties, and utility
districts have developed plans
with a wide range of projected
benefits, including:
•	Faster water quality
improvements and public
health protections.
•	Innovative long-term solutions that reduce pollution sources rather than just controlling or
treating discharges.
•	More cost-effective and affordable infrastructure investments.
•	Investments that support other community objectives.
Fall River, MA
New Bedford, MA
© Harrisburg, PA
Hampton Roads, VA
Key
Completed integrated plans Municipalities
incorporated in a permit, consent decree
or administrative order
Municipalities who developed a
complete Integrated Plan
Integrated planning is a team effort.
EPA and state permitting authorities will work with municipalities to determine the appropriate roles of
permit and enforcement authorities in addressing the regulatory requirements identified in integrated
plans. EPA provides technical assistance to help municipalities develop integrated plans.
Integrated Planning Spotlight: Richmond, Virginia
In 2014, Richmond started an integrated planning process that emphasized
stakeholder involvement and compliance with total maximum daily loads
for bacteria, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment discharges. The resulting
"RVA Clean Water Plan" includes nine strategies for achieving the city's
integrated planning goals. This plan was incorporated into a permit issued
by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality in 2016. As of January
2020, Richmond had:
•	Conserved 113 acres of land.
•	Restored 15,580 linear feet of streams.
•	Installed 17 acres of green infrastructure.
For more information, please visit EPA's Integrated Planning website.
EPA-832-F-21-001

-------