For the past six months, Dr. Glen Daigger, International Water Association President and CH2M HILL Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, has been serving as Chair of the National Academies’ National Research Council Committee tasked with reviewing the economic impacts of the final numeric nutrient criteria for lakes and flowing waters in Florida. Earlier this month, the complete findings and recommendations of the study group, composed of experts in science, technology, academics, and the environment, were published.

 

The committee determined that the costs for implementing new pollution criteria in Florida waters are likely to exceed EPA estimates. The committee questioned the validity of several assumptions in the EPA cost analysis and found that the EPA did not adequately consider uncertainties associated with implementing the new rule. The report says that if assumptions can be agreed upon, the new framework for future cost analyses could narrow the discrepancies in estimates.

 

“The efforts of our study group make important contributions to both the methodology for conducting economic analyses and also the process which EPA can use going forward,” says Dr. Daigger. “These conclusions and recommendations are likely to be important because Florida is the first, but not the last, state where this will be proposed (likely the first of 50). We are privileged to be part of this important effort which can contribute significantly to improvements in water quality across the nation.”

 

The committee has briefed the EPA, the Florida Congressional Delegation, and a group of relevant Congressional Committees on its findings. The complete report published by the committee is available online.   

 

Read blogs by Dr. Daigger about the reasons for, and importance of, the analysis and results: one written after the final study group meeting in December 2011, and one written after the results were published.

 

Daigger received his doctorate and master’s degrees in environmental engineering from Purdue University and also received his bachelor’s degree from Purdue. As the author or co-author of more than 100 technical papers, four books and several technical manuals, he has contributed to advancing practice within the wastewater profession. His nine patents for wastewater treatment have helped establish the nation’s wastewater treatment standards. He is CH2M HILL’s first Technical Fellow, an honor which recognizes the leadership that he provides for CH2M HILL and for the profession in developing and implementing new wastewater treatment technology.

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