The Water Environment Federation (WEF) announced the winners of the 2016 national municipal storm water and green infrastructure awards. Developed through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the program recognizes high-performing regulated Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s) and encourages them to exceed requirements through innovative and cost-effective approaches.
The winners were recognized at WEFTEC 2016, WEF’s 89th annual technical exhibition and conference. All participants received a certificate in gold, silver or bronze levels. Three winners from each category were selected for program management, innovation and overall winner with the highest score.
The overall highest scores include:
- Phase I – Santa Clara Valley Urban Runoff Pollution Prevention program, California
- Phase II – Capitol Region Watershed District, Minnesota
The winners for innovation include:
- Phase I – Jefferson Parish Environmental Affairs, Louisiana
- Phase II – City of Auburn, Ala.
The winners for program management include:
- Phase I – City of Austin, Texas, Watershed Protection Department
- Phase II – Kitsap County Public Works, Washington
Launched last year, the program recognizes Phase II, which includes small MS4s in urbanized areas, and small MS4s outside the urbanized areas that are designated by the local permitting authority. It also recognizes Phase I, which includes medium and large cities or certain counties with populations of 100,000 or more to obtain NPDES permit coverage for their storm water discharges.
Source: Water Environment Federation