CUSTOMIZED TRAINING ON WATER QUALITY TRADING FOR AGRICULTURE AND WASTEWATER FACILITIES
Water quality credit trading may be, in many areas, a successful market-based approach to improve water quality. It is an innovative, voluntary tool that connects industrial and municipal facilities, subject to wastewater permit requirements, with agricultural producers to economically achieve water quality improvements. It has the potential to be a flexible and cost-effective approach for maintaining, restoring or enhancing water quality.
Funded By
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Conservation Innovation Grant
Project Partners
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Environmental Trading Network, International Certified Crop Advisers, Water Environment Federation
Activities
Water quality credit trading may be a successful, market-based method for agriculture producers to be paid for contributing to water quality improvement. However, many potential participants lack awareness and understanding of the trading process.
CTIC worked with partners to develop and deliver four detailed, intensive and interactive workshops, in Ohio, Indiana, and Maryland, to educate agricultural operators, agricultural advisers and municipal wastewater facilities. The training, built on CTIC's publication, "Getting Paid for Stewardship: An Agricultural Community Water Quality Trading Guide," produced through a cooperative agreement with EPA.
The workshops relayed information from the Guide and brought together participants for balanced discussion and interaction. Post surveys showed that most workshop participants shared information they learned with their colleagues and potential partners in trading.
For More Information
Contact Christa Martin-Jones by email at jones@ctic.org or call (317) 508-2450.
