Fact Sheet:

U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) Water Quality Cooperation Program

 

On December 4, 2008, the United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) Director Larry Walther and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Stephen Johnson will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP) Minister Zhou Shengxian.  Under the MOU, USTDA will provide funding to help mobilize U.S. private sector expertise and resources toward priority water quality projects in China, working in collaboration with MEP and the EPA. 

This mutually beneficial program will provide direct development benefits to China by directing assistance towards the highest priority projects, as identified in consultation with EPA and MEP, while also supporting U.S. companies interested in doing business in China.

This public-private partnership, developed in cooperation with EPA and U.S. industry, will provide at least twelve technical seminars/workshops on priority areas of interest to China, covering several aspects of water quality improvement, from pollution monitoring and control to policy mechanisms and best practices to improve water quality across the country. 

U.S. trade associations, including Water Environment Federation, Water and Wastewater Equipment Manufacturers Association, and the Water Reuse Association, have agreed to partner and offer assistance to advance this program.

Initially, USTDA envisions the program focusing on a particular region (such as Tianjin) and/or river system (such as the Huai) in China, to be selected in conjunction with MEP, EPA, and others.  USTDA will contribute funding for management, curriculum development, and workshop expenses associated with this public-private partnership, which will be supported by U.S. companies and organizations that represent the broad interests of the U.S. and Chinese governments and industry groups.

The partnership will serve as a forum in which U.S. government and industry representatives can share information and best practices with their Chinese counterparts, in an effort to assist China as it develops and implements environmental regulations, standards and mechanisms to improve water quality.