Jump to main content.

Water Quality Trading in the Southeast

National Information

EPA is committed to exploring the use of water quality trading as an additional tool for attaining water quality standards and achieving watershed restoration goals. After 35 years of experience with the Clean Water Act, significant progress has been made in cleaning up the nation’s waters. However, approximately 39% of the rivers, 45% of the lakes and 51% of the estuaries assessed do not support their designated uses.

EPA recognizes that traditional water protections tools – enforcement, permitting, financial assistance, education – may not be enough to restore and protect water bodies. We support the use of water quality trading in watersheds where conditions allow. For more information regarding trading, visit EPA’s Water Quality Trading web site.

What is Water Quality Trading

Water quality trading takes advantage of the disparate costs associated with pollutant removal. Trading is an effort to utilize market-based concepts for water quality improvement through which facilities faced with higher treatment costs can purchase equivalent, or greater, pollutant reduction from point or nonpoint sources with lower treatment costs. Water Quality Trading guidance can be found at:

Water Quality Trading Assistance

Our Projects and Activities page has been created to share current and facilitate future water quality trading efforts within the southeast. Region 4 water quality trading contacts are available to assist states, water quality agencies, local governments, regulated and unregulated dischargers, community leaders, and industry with trading information.

Top of page

For information about the contents of this page please contact
Steven Blackburn (blackburn.steven@epa.gov)

Local Navigation

Jump to main content.