text: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
      This Act may be cited as the ``Water Infrastructure Improvement 
  Act''.
  SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
      In this Act:
          (1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the 
      Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
          (2) Municipality.--The term ``municipality'' has the meaning 
      given that term in section 502 of the Federal Water Pollution 
      Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1362).
  SEC. 3. INTEGRATED PLANS.
      (a) Integrated Plans.--Section 402 of the Federal Water Pollution 
  Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1342) is amended by adding at the end the 
  following:
      ``(s) Integrated Plans.--
          ``(1) Definition of integrated plan.--In this subsection, the 
      term `integrated plan' means a plan developed in accordance with 
      the Integrated Municipal Stormwater and Wastewater Planning 
      Approach Framework, issued by the Environmental Protection Agency 
      and dated June 5, 2012.
          ``(2) In general.--The Administrator (or a State, in the case 
      of a permit program approved by the Administrator) shall inform 
      municipalities of the opportunity to develop an integrated plan 
      that may be incorporated into a permit under this section.
          ``(3) Scope.--
              ``(A) Scope of permit incorporating integrated plan.--A 
          permit issued under this section that incorporates an 
          integrated plan may integrate all requirements under this Act 
          addressed in the integrated plan, including requirements 
          relating to--
                  ``(i) a combined sewer overflow;
                  ``(ii) a capacity, management, operation, and 
              maintenance program for sanitary sewer collection systems;
                  ``(iii) a municipal stormwater discharge;
                  ``(iv) a municipal wastewater discharge; and
                  ``(v) a water quality-based effluent limitation to 
              implement an applicable wasteload allocation in a total 
              maximum daily load.
              ``(B) Inclusions in integrated plan.--An integrated plan 
          incorporated into a permit issued under this section may 
          include the implementation of--
                  ``(i) projects, including innovative projects, to 
              reclaim, recycle, or reuse water; and
                  ``(ii) green infrastructure.
          ``(4) Compliance schedules.--
              ``(A) In general.--A permit issued under this section that 
          incorporates an integrated plan may include a schedule of 
          compliance, under which actions taken to meet any applicable 
          water quality-based effluent limitation may be implemented over 
          more than 1 permit term if the schedule of compliance--
                  ``(i) is authorized by State water quality standards; 
              and
                  ``(ii) meets the requirements of section 122.47 of 
              title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the 
              date of enactment of this subsection).
              ``(B) Time for compliance.--For purposes of subparagraph 
          (A)(ii), the requirement of section 122.47 of title 40, Code of 
          Federal Regulations, for compliance by an applicable statutory 
          deadline under this Act does not prohibit implementation of an 
          applicable water quality-based effluent limitation over more 
          than 1 permit term.
              ``(C) Review.--A schedule of compliance incorporated into a 
          permit issued under this section may be reviewed at the time 
          the permit is renewed to determine whether the schedule should 
          be modified.
          ``(5) Existing authorities retained.--
              ``(A) Applicable standards.--Nothing in this subsection 
          modifies any obligation to comply with applicable technology 
          and water quality-based effluent limitations under this Act.
              ``(B) Flexibility.--Nothing in this subsection reduces or 
          eliminates any flexibility available under this Act, including 
          the authority of a State to revise a water quality standard 
          after a use attainability analysis under section 131.10(g) of 
          title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor 
          regulation), subject to the approval of the Administrator under 
          section 303(c).
          ``(6) Clarification of state authority.--
              ``(A) In general.--Nothing in section 301(b)(1)(C) 
          precludes a State from authorizing in the water quality 
          standards of the State the issuance of a schedule of compliance 
          to meet water quality-based effluent limitations in permits 
          that incorporate provisions of an integrated plan.
              ``(B) Transition rule.--In any case in which a discharge is 
          subject to a judicial order or consent decree, as of the date 
          of enactment of this subsection, resolving an enforcement 
          action under this Act, any schedule of compliance issued 
          pursuant to an authorization in a State water quality standard 
          may not revise a schedule of compliance in that order or decree 
          to be less stringent, unless the order or decree is modified by 
          agreement of the parties and the court.''.
      (b) Implementation of Integrated Plans Through Enforcement Tools.--
  Section 309 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1319) 
  is amended by adding at the end the following:
      ``(h) Implementation of Integrated Plans.--
          ``(1) In general.--In conjunction with an enforcement action 
      under subsection (a) or (b) relating to municipal discharges, the 
      Administrator shall inform a municipality of the opportunity to 
      develop an integrated plan, as defined in section 402(s).
          ``(2) Modification.--Any municipality under an administrative 
      order under subsection (a) or settlement agreement (including a 
      judicial consent decree) under subsection (b) that has developed an 
      integrated plan consistent with section 402(s) may request a 
      modification of the administrative order or settlement agreement 
      based on that integrated plan.''.
      (c) Report to Congress.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
  enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee 
  on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on 
  Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, and 
  make publicly available, a report on each integrated plan developed and 
  implemented through a permit, order, or judicial consent decree 
  pursuant to the Federal Water Pollution Control Act since the date of 
  publication of the ``Integrated Municipal Stormwater and Wastewater 
  Planning Approach Framework'' issued by the Environmental Protection 
  Agency and dated June 5, 2012, including a description of the control 
  measures, levels of control, estimated costs, and compliance schedules 
  for the requirements implemented through such an integrated plan.
  SEC. 4. MUNICIPAL OMBUDSMAN.
      (a) Establishment.--There is established within the Office of the 
  Administrator an Office of the Municipal Ombudsman, to be headed by a 
  Municipal Ombudsman.
      (b) General Duties.--The duties of the Municipal Ombudsman shall 
  include the provision of--
          (1) technical assistance to municipalities seeking to comply 
      with the Federal Water Pollution Control Act; and
          (2) information to the Administrator to help the Administrator 
      ensure that agency policies are implemented by all offices of the 
      Environmental Protection Agency, including regional offices.
      (c) Actions Required.--The Municipal Ombudsman shall work with 
  appropriate offices at the headquarters and regional offices of the 
  Environmental Protection Agency to ensure that a municipality seeking 
  assistance is provided information regarding--
          (1) available Federal financial assistance for which the 
      municipality is eligible;
          (2) flexibility available under the Federal Water Pollution 
      Control Act; and
          (3) the opportunity to develop an integrated plan under section 
      402(s) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act.
      (d) Information Sharing.--The Municipal Ombudsman shall publish on 
  the website of the Environmental Protection Agency--
          (1) general information relating to--
              (A) the technical assistance referred to in subsection 
          (b)(1);
              (B) the financial assistance referred to in subsection 
          (c)(1);
              (C) the flexibility referred to in subsection (c)(2); and
              (D) any resources developed by the Administrator related to 
          integrated plans under section 402(s) of the Federal Water 
          Pollution Control Act; and
          (2) a copy of each permit, order, or judicial consent decree 
      that implements or incorporates such an integrated plan.
  SEC. 5. GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE.
      (a) Definition.--Section 502 of the Federal Water Pollution Control 
  Act (33 U.S.C. 1362) is amended by adding at the end the following:
          ``(27) Green infrastructure.--The term `green infrastructure' 
      means the range of measures that use plant or soil systems, 
      permeable pavement or other permeable surfaces or substrates, 
      stormwater harvest and reuse, or landscaping to store, infiltrate, 
      or evapotranspirate stormwater and reduce flows to sewer systems or 
      to surface waters.''.
      (b) Green Infrastructure Promotion.--Title V of the Federal Water 
  Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) is amended--
          (1) by redesignating section 519 as section 520; and
          (2) by inserting after section 518 the following:
      ``SEC. 519. GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PROMOTION.
      ``(a) In General.--The Administrator shall promote the use of green 
  infrastructure in, and coordinate the integration of green 
  infrastructure into, permitting and enforcement under this Act, 
  planning efforts, research, technical assistance, and funding guidance 
  of the Environmental Protection Agency.
      ``(b) Coordination of Efforts.--The Administrator shall ensure that 
  the Office of Water coordinates efforts to increase the use of green 
  infrastructure with--
          ``(1) other Federal departments and agencies;
          ``(2) State, tribal, and local governments; and
          ``(3) the private sector.
      ``(c) Regional Green Infrastructure Promotion.--The Administrator 
  shall direct each regional office of the Environmental Protection 
  Agency, as appropriate based on local factors, and consistent with the 
  requirements of this Act, to promote and integrate the use of green 
  infrastructure within the region, including through--
          ``(1) outreach and training regarding green infrastructure 
      implementation for State, tribal, and local governments, tribal 
      communities, and the private sector; and
          ``(2) the incorporation of green infrastructure into permitting 
      and other regulatory programs, codes, and ordinance development, 
      including the requirements under consent decrees and settlement 
      agreements in enforcement actions.
      ``(d) Green Infrastructure Information-Sharing.--The Administrator 
  shall promote green infrastructure information-sharing, including 
  through an internet website, to share information with, and provide 
  technical assistance to, State, tribal, and local governments, tribal 
  communities, the private sector, and the public, regarding green 
  infrastructure approaches for--
          ``(1) reducing water pollution;
          ``(2) protecting water resources;
          ``(3) complying with regulatory requirements; and
          ``(4) achieving other environmental, public health, and 
      community goals.''.
  
                                 Speaker of the House of Representatives.
  
                              Vice President of the United States and    
                                                 President of the Senate.
target: Water Infrastructure Improvement Act (Sec. 3) This bill amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to allow municipalities to develop a plan that integrates wastewater and stormwater management. A permit for a municipal discharge under the national pollutant discharge elimination system that incorporates an integrated plan may integrate all requirements under the Act addressed in the plan, such as requirements relating to combined sewer overflows, sanitary sewer collection systems, and total maximum daily loads. A plan that is incorporated into a permit may include the implementation of green infrastructure and projects to reclaim, recycle, or reuse water. Green infrastructure includes measures that mimic natural processes to store, reuse, or reduce stormwater. Those permits may include a schedule of compliance that allows actions for meeting water quality-based effluent limitations to be implemented over more than one permit term if the compliance schedules are authorized by state water quality standards.  A municipality under an administrative order or settlement agreement may request a modification of the order or settlement based on the municipality's integrated plan. The EPA must report on each integrated plan developed and implemented through a permit, order, or judicial consent decree since June 5, 2012, including a description of the control measures, levels of control, estimated costs, and compliance schedules for the requirements implemented through such a plan. (Sec. 4) The bill establishes an Office of the Municipal Ombudsman in the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to provide: (1) technical assistance to municipalities seeking to comply with the Clean Water Act, and (2) information to the EPA to ensure that agency policies are implemented by all EPA offices. (Sec. 5) The EPA must promote the use of green infrastructure.                        
feat_title: Water Infrastructure Improvement Act