USDA, EPA host workshop to facilitate water quality trading markets

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) hosted a joint workshop on water quality trading this week, working together to expand the market and in continuance with the recently announced Conservation Innovation Grants supporting the same goal.

"Conservation practices that improve soil health and conserve nutrients also produce real water quality benefits,” USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment Ann Mills said. “With support from USDA and our federal partners, water quality markets can create incentives to increase these environmental benefits and boost investment in rural America. The actions we are announcing today will help us get there."

Water quality trading allows facilities to purchase water quality pollution reductions from other sources, a money-saving measure for sources facing steep costs to bring their water quality into compliance.

To grow this market, the USDA and EPA announced several new resources for facilities looking to use water quality trading, including the Water Quality Trading Roadmap, a partnership between the federal entities to support EnviroAtlas, the Nutrient Tracking Tool and the USDA Environmental Markets Website.