WASHINGTON — Sept. 28, 2015 — The first winners of the Water Environment Federation’s (WEF) new awards program recognizing achievement in municipal stormwater and green infrastructure initiatives were recently announced, according to a press release.
The program is a joint effort between WEF and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), noted the release. It "recognizes high-performing, regulated Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s) and inspires them to exceed requirements through innovative and cost-effective approaches."
"Housed within the new WEF Stormwater Institute, the awards were developed to inspire MS4 program leaders toward innovation that is both technically effective and financially efficient," said WEF Executive Director Eileen O’Neill in the release. "The success of this first year shows great promise for the program as a means to continually support, encourage, and recognize this important and growing segment of the water sector."
The winners were recognized during WEFTEC 2015’s Stormwater Congress in Chicago on Sept. 28, stated the release. Awardees receive a gold, silver or bronze certificate in one of three categories.
Overall Highest Scores
Phase I – Charlotte Stormwater Services, Charlotte, N.C.
Phase II – City of Fairbanks, AK
Innovation
Phase I – City of Santa Monica, Calif. and City of Tacoma, Wash.
Phase II – City of Alexandria, Va.
Program Management
Phase I – Montgomery County DEP, Md.
Phase II – Lafayette Consolidated Govt, Lafayette, La.
Phase II includes small MS4s in urbanized and outside the regions that are designated by the local permitting authority, shared the release. Phase I "includes medium and large cities or certain counties with populations of 100,000 or more to obtain NPDES permit coverage for their stormwater discharges."
A group made up of members and volunteers from WEF’s stormwater and watershed national committees chose the winners, noted the release. Organizations represented on the committee included: the Association of Clean Water Administrators, American Rivers, the American Society of Civil Engineers, the American Society of Landscape Architects, the National Association of Clean Water Agencies, the National Association of Flood and Stormwater Management Agencies, and the Water Environment Research Foundation.
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