Water Resources

Federal rules and regulations serve as the basis for protecting water resources in the United States, but these rules and regulations are usually implemented and enforced at the state and local level.

Airport operations require the use of water, and the airport operators use and manage water resources in a variety of ways, such as:

Treating and distributing drinking water;
Discharging domestic and industrial wastewater to sanitary sewer systems;
Managing, treating, and discharging storm water into receiving bodies such as nearby rivers, streams, or other water bodies; and
Undertaking facility improvements or other activities that can affect surface waters, wetlands, and aquatic habitats.

Many rules and regulations pertain to these activities. Chapter 8, Water Resources of ACRP Report 43 Guidebook of Practices for Improving Environmental Performance at Small Airports includes information related to the regulations and compliance attainment strategies associated with the following topics:

Federal Drinking Water Supply
Storm Water Discharges Associated with Industrial Activities
Storm Water Discharges Associated with Construction Activities
Storm Water Discharges Associated with Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems
Industrial Wastewater Pretreatment
Surface Waters and Wetlands

Resources

ACRP Report 43 Guidebook of Practices for Improving Environmental Performance at Small Airports
Chapter 8, Water Resources summarizes water resource regulations that may be applicable to airports including drinking water, stormwater, industrial wastewater, surface water and wetlands.
SDWA of 1974
The SDWA is the main federal law that ensures the quality of Americans' drinking water.
EPA Summary of the CWA
Includes a general overview and links to additional resources.
Executive Order 11990, Protection of Wetlands
Issued in 1977, this Order requires federal agencies, in planning their actions, to consider alternatives to wetland sites, and limit potential damage if an activity affecting a wetland cannot be avoided. This is referred to as sequencing of the impacts.
U.S.DOT Order 5660.1A Preservation of the Nation's Wetlands (1978)
The DOT Order adopted to comply with EO 11990.
ACRP Report 14 Deicing Planning Guidelines and Practices for Stormwater Management Systems
Chapter 4 Volume 2 contains Fact Sheets for more than 40 identified deicing practices, organized into five categories: aircraft deicing source reduction; airfield pavement deicing source reduction; deicing runoff containment/collection; deicing runoff treatment/recycling; and deicing runoff system components.
ACRP Report 80 Guidebook for Incorporating Sustainability into Traditional Airport Projects
Contains sustainable ideas and practices that can facilitate compliance with water-related rules and regulations.
ACRP Report 125 Balancing Airport Stormwater and Bird Hazard Management
Provides guidance and tools for airports to identify and evaluate stormwater management options and a set of best management practices to minimize hazards posed to aviation by wildlife practices.
ACRP Report 33 Guidebook for Developing and Managing Airport Contracts
This is a guidebook of best practices for developing, soliciting, and managing airport agreements and contracts. Topics include contracts involving responsibilities associated with water conservation and handling and disposal of wastewater.

Tools

ACRP Report 43 Guidebook of Practices for Improving Environmental Performance at Small Airports
Appendix A, Proactive Environmental Stewardship Practices provides fact sheets on a broad set of water resource issues and appropriate responses from initial planning through operation and maintenance of water resource management systems.
FAA Order 1050.1F Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures
Chapter 14, Water Resources identifies the regulatory framework associated with water resources that may be present on airports or affected by airport operations.