WEF Announces MS4 Award Winners

On Oct. 2, municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s) that perform beyond regulatory requirements were recognized during the Stormwater Congress Luncheon at WEFTEC 2017.

The Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Va.) presented 13 municipalities with National MS4 Stormwater and Green Infrastructure Awards. The awards, developed by WEF in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, were introduced in 2015 to recognize innovation and exceptional program management. Municipalities demonstrating excellence in both categories also were eligible for an additional overall award.

A subcommittee of water sector experts reviewed applications and selected winners in two classifications based on the population of communities served. The Phase 1 classification encompasses medium or large cities with more than 100,000 customers. The Phase 2 classification encompasses smaller systems outside of urban areas.

Winners of the third annual awards are as follows:

Overall Highest Scores

Phase I – City of Austin, Texas, Watershed Protection Department
Phase II – Capitol Region Watershed District, St. Paul, Minn.

Innovation

Phase I – Boston Water and Sewer Commission
Phase II – Lake Havasu City, Ariz.

Program Management

Phase I – City of Alpharetta, Ga.
Phase II – City of Alexandria, Va.

Additional silver or gold certificates were awarded to municipalities based on their level of performance in innovation or program management.

Gold recognition in Innovation

Phase I

• Boston Water and Sewer Commission
• City of Alpharetta, Ga.
• City of Corpus Christi, Texas
• City of Grand Rapids, Mich.
• City of Austin, Texas, Watershed Protection Department

Phase II

• Capitol Region Watershed District, St. Paul, Minn.
• City of Alexandria, Va.

Silver recognition in Innovation

Phase I

• City of Wichita, Kan.
• Columbus, Ohio, Division of Sewerage and Drainage
• Louisville, Ky., Metropolitan Sewer District
• City of Dayton, Ohio; Department of Water

Phase II

• City of Surprise, Ariz.
• Lake Havasu City, Ariz.

Gold recognition in Program Management

Phase I

• Boston Water and Sewer Commission
• City of Alpharetta, Ga.
• City of Corpus Christi, Texas
• City of Grand Rapids, Mich.
• City of Austin, Texas, Watershed Protection Department

Phase II

• Capitol Region Watershed District, St. Paul, Minn.
• City of Alexandria, Va.

Silver recognition in Program Management

Phase I

• City of Dayton, Ohio, Department of Water
• City of Wichita, Kan.
• Columbus, Ohio, Division of Sewerage and Drainage
• Louisville, Ky., Metropolitan Sewer District

Phase II

• City of Surprise, Ariz.
• Lake Havasu City, Ariz.