The Technical Program comprises conference thematic sessions with technical presentations, panels, training workshops in the tracks listed below, as well as a poster display.
BMP Effectiveness Assessment
This category invites abstracts that explore how we evaluate the effectiveness of structural and non-structural BMPs in improving water quality and supporting source control. Submissions may address approaches to performance monitoring, operation and maintenance, data analysis, or scientific studies, as well as innovative methods to assess outcomes and inform adaptive management. We encourage ideas that advance outcome-based decision-making and improve how BMP effectiveness is understood and applied in practice.
Climate Change, Resiliency, and Sustainability
This category invites abstracts that address the intersection of stormwater management, climate change, and long-term sustainability. Submissions may explore climate adaptation and mitigation strategies, water supply and groundwater recharge, watershed management, energy considerations, wildfire-related impacts, and the integration of climate resilience into stormwater programs. We encourage approaches that advance multi-benefit solutions and connect stormwater management to broader environmental and community outcomes.
Construction General Permit
This category invites abstracts related to implementation of the Construction General Permit and stormwater management on construction sites. Submissions may address innovative BMPs and controls, TMDL implementation, passive treatment approaches, site management challenges and solutions, cost considerations, and monitoring or sampling issues. We also welcome experiences and lessons learned from a range of project types, including linear infrastructure and complex construction environments.
Equity and Environmental Justice
This category invites abstracts that explore the intersection of water management and community impact. Submissions may address approaches to advancing equitable outcomes, improving access to resources, and fostering inclusive decision-making. We welcome examples of programs, strategies, and lessons learned that engage historically underserved communities and integrate diverse perspectives into planning, implementation, and long-term program success.
Funding
This category explores innovative and practical approaches to securing sustainable funding for stormwater programs and infrastructure. Topics may include local, regional, and statewide funding strategies; leveraging partnerships and multi-benefit investments; and creative approaches to advancing stormwater as a priority within broader water and community initiatives. Submissions may also address asset management as a tool to support funding decisions, including methods for tracking investments, planning for long-term infrastructure needs, and strengthening the case for sustained program funding.
Green Infrastructure and Nature-Based Solutions Design and Maintenance
This category invites abstracts that explore the design, implementation, and long-term performance of green infrastructure and nature-based solutions. Submissions may address planning efforts, pilot projects, design approaches, and lessons learned, as well as operation, maintenance, and adaptive management over time. We welcome examples that demonstrate how these solutions improve water quality, manage stormwater, and deliver multiple environmental and community benefits.
Industrial General Permit
This category invites abstracts related to implementation of the Industrial General Permit (IGP) and associated compliance strategies. Submissions may address pollutant source assessments, monitoring and reporting, Exceedance Response Action requirements, and BMPs including stormwater capture, treatment, reuse, and infiltration. We also welcome lessons learned and emerging issues related to TMDLs, water quality-based corrective actions, compliance options (including IGP Attachment I), permit participation initiatives, and Clean Water Act citizen lawsuits, as well as updates on related permitting efforts such as the L.A. Commercial, Industrial, and Institutional (CII) Permit.
Modeling, Data Tools, and Artificial Intelligence
This category invites abstracts that explore the use of modeling, data tools, and emerging technologies to support stormwater management. Submissions may include hydrologic, water quality, and GIS-based modeling, as well as approaches to data collection, visualization, assessment, and quantification. We also welcome applications of artificial intelligence (AI) and data tool – both within and beyond the water sector – that support prioritization, performance evaluation, and more effective decision-making.
Monitoring and Scientific Studies
This category invites abstracts that advance monitoring approaches and scientific understanding of stormwater systems. Submissions may address innovations in monitoring methodologies and programs, as well as studies on pollutant sources, fate, and transport. We also welcome examples of how monitoring data and scientific findings are used to inform decision-making and improve stormwater management strategies.
Municipal Programs
This category invites abstracts that highlight the implementation of municipal stormwater programs, including challenges, solutions, and lessons learned from Phase I and Phase II agencies. Submissions may address day-to-day operations and emerging issues such as workforce development, monitoring program challenges, unsheltered communities, cost reporting, asset management, inspection and enforcement, permitting, and opportunities for collaboration. We welcome examples that demonstrate effective, outcome-based approaches to program implementation.
Outreach, Engagement, and Education
This category invites abstracts that highlight innovative stormwater outreach, engagement, and education efforts. Submissions may include lessons learned, collaboration approaches, and educational programs for residents, youth, and multicultural communities, as well as strategies such as direct and passive outreach, social media, media campaigns, rebate programs, and engagement with historically underserved communities. We also welcome examples that build on or complement broader initiatives such as Rain Ready California. Abstracts that explore how programs measure effectiveness and drive long-term behavior change are encouraged.
Policy, Permitting, and Legislation
This category invites abstracts that explore policy, permitting, and legislative developments and their impacts on stormwater programs. Submissions may include insights from regulators, legal experts, and practitioners on regulatory frameworks, compliance approaches, and evolving legal considerations. We welcome case studies and examples that demonstrate how regulatory, legislative, and legal obligations can be met while creatively leveraging partnerships and advancing sustainable, outcome-focused stormwater management.
Pollutants of Concern and True Source Control
This category invites abstracts that address priority pollutants, contaminants of emerging concern, and approaches to true source control that prevent pollution at its source and support long-term sustainability. Submissions may explore regulatory opportunities and constraints, scientific advancements, and management strategies, as well as specific pollutants such as bacteria, pesticides, trash, biointegrity, biostimulatory substances, microplastics, PFAS, metals, PCBs, 6PPD, and other constituents of concern. We welcome work that advances understanding and implementation of effective, source-focused solutions.
Stormwater Capture and One Water Collaborations
This category invites abstracts that highlight stormwater capture as a critical strategy to protect and enhance water resources while delivering community and environmental benefits such as flood control, groundwater recharge, increased green space, street beautification, and climate resilience, as well as socioeconomic benefits such as increased property values, recreation and improved public health. Submissions may focus on planning, design, implementation, and performance of stormwater capture projects, as well as lessons learned from existing and developing programs.
We also welcome examples of collaborative, One Water approaches that build partnerships across entities – including water districts, wastewater agencies, municipalities, businesses, community organizations, industrial entities, schools, and Non-Traditional permittees – to maximize the multiple benefits of stormwater capture. Abstracts may explore how these partnerships support integrated solutions, expand impact, and advance shared water management goals.
Wildfire Preparation and Management
This category invites abstracts that explore the intersection of wildfire and stormwater management. Submissions may address strategies to mitigate wildfire impacts on water quality, erosion, and infrastructure development and design, including the use of BMPs for erosion control and site stabilization. We welcome approaches to monitoring and assessing watershed conditions before and after wildfire events, as well as lessons learned and innovative practices related to post-fire response and recovery. Abstracts may also explore community and stakeholder engagement in resilience planning and navigating the complex challenges wildfires pose to stormwater systems.
Innovation
This category invites abstracts that bring forward new ideas, approaches, and perspectives that advance stormwater management. Submissions may include emerging technologies, novel applications of existing practices, cross-sector collaborations, or creative strategies that do not fit neatly within a single category. We encourage contributions that challenge conventional approaches, integrate across disciplines or water sectors, and explore new ways of thinking about persistent or emerging challenges. Whether through research, pilot projects, or applied practice, this category is intended to create space for forward-looking ideas that help shape the future of stormwater management.
