ALEXANDRIA, VA, July 23, 2015 -- The Water Environment Federation (WEF) has officially announced a new national municipal stormwater and green infrastructure awards program. Developed through a cooperative agreement with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the program aims to recognize high-performing regulated municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s) and inspire them to exceed requirements through innovative and cost-effective approaches.
Following a steering committee review and selection process, award winners will be announced in September at the 2015 Stormwater Congress, WEF's stormwater conference co-located with WEFTEC 2015 in the city of Chicago, Ill. All participants will receive a certificate in either the gold, silver or bronze levels with three winners from each category selected for program management, innovation and overall winner with the highest score.
"Many of WEF's utility members, along with a cadre of stormwater professionals nationwide, are leading the way in effectively addressing stormwater and wet-weather issues," said WEF Executive Director Eileen O'Neill. "To remain on top of this challenge, they need opportunities to exchange best practices and learn about cutting-edge approaches for treatment, management and financing. With EPA's support, WEF is able to provide such an opportunity that not only recognizes the success of stormwater professionals but encourages the new ideas, programs and leadership that is needed for tackling the growing demands that stormwater is placing on our communities."
Applicants for Phase II -- which include small MS4s in urbanized areas as well as small MS4s outside the urbanized areas that are designated by the local permitting authority -- are required to fill out the Phase II application form by 11:59 p.m., EST, August 19, 2015. Further, applicants for Phase I -- which include medium and large cities or certain counties with populations of 100,000 or more to obtain NPDES permit coverage for their stormwater discharges -- are required to fill out the Phase I application form by 11:59 p.m., EST, August 26, 2015.
The diverse steering committee includes members and volunteers from WEF's Stormwater and Watershed national committees, as well as representatives from each of the following organizations: the Association of Clean Water Administrators, American Rivers, American Society of Civil Engineers, American Society of Landscape Architects, EPA, National Association of Clean Water Agencies, National Association of Flood and Stormwater Management Agencies, and Water Environment Research Foundation.
See also:
"WEF announces establishment of new Stormwater Institute"
"WERF, WEF launch new LIFT projects to drive innovation in water quality sector"
About WEF
Founded in 1928, the Water Environment Federation (WEF) is a not-for-profit technical and educational organization of 36,000 individual members and 75 affiliated Member Associations representing water quality professionals around the world. WEF members, Member Associations and staff proudly work to achieve our mission to provide bold leadership, champion innovation, connect water professionals, and leverage knowledge to support clean and safe water worldwide. For more information, visit www.wef.org.
###
