U.S: EPA recognises 38 water infrastructure projects for innovation and excellence

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognized 38 outstanding water infrastructure projects across the country for their excellence, innovation, and contribution to public health and environmental protection.

Funded through the long-standing Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF), the honoured projects demonstrate how strategic federal investment continues to transform communities. These projects align with EPA’s Powering the Great American Comeback initiative, which focuses on restoring clean air, land, and water while creating economic opportunity and fostering federal-state collaboration.

Funding for water infrastructure is vital to healthy Americans and economic opportunity

“Funding for water infrastructure is vital to healthy Americans and economic opportunity. These federal dollars, which are invested by states, bring down costs and make needed water infrastructure upgrades attainable,” said Kramer. “As a result, more people can rely on safe drinking water and reliable wastewater management. At the same time, these investments help keep water bills affordable while construction creates local jobs.”

Sixteen projects were recognized under EPA’s AQUARIUS program, which highlights exceptional drinking water projects that prioritize sustainability, innovation, and public health, including:

• Excellence in Innovative Financing: Merrimack Village District, New Hampshire — Wells 2, 3, 7, 8 PFAS and Iron/Manganese Treatment
• Excellence in System Partnerships: Stanislaus Regional Water Authority, California — Regional Surface Water Supply Project
• Excellence in Community Engagement: Bloomfield Township, New Jersey — Lead Service Replacement Phases
• Excellence in Environmental and Public Health Protection: City of Pineville, Missouri — Water Improvement Projects
• Excellence in Creative Solutions: Ellinger Sewer and Water Supply Corporation, Texas — Water Plant Improvements Project

Twenty-two additional projects were honoured under the PISCES program, which showcases performance and creativity in clean water infrastructure projects, including:

• Excellence in Innovative Financing: Chemung County Sewer District, New York — Chemung County Wastewater Treatment Plant Consolidation
• Excellence in System Partnerships (2 exceptional projects in this category): Town of Ardmore Water Works and Sewer Board, Alabama — Ardmore Wastewater Treatment Plant Renovations AND Springdale Water and Sewer Commission, Arkansas — Bethel Heights Wastewater Regionalization with Springdale
• Excellence in Community Engagement: Prince George’s County, Maryland — Urban Stormwater Retrofit Public Private Partnership
• Excellence in Environmental and Public Health Protection: Marquette County Solid Waste Management Authority, Michigan — Marquette County Landfill Leachate Treatment System
• Excellence in Creative Solutions: Malcom “Jamie” Jameison, landowner — Berkeley Plantation Living Shoreline, in Virginia

To illustrate the impact of these initiatives, two award-winning projects stand out as prime examples of innovation and collaboration in action:

Merrimack Village District (New Hampshire) has been recognised for Excellence in Innovative Financing (AQUARIUS) for addressing PFAS and iron/manganese contamination in four public wells serving 25,000 residents. Located near a PFAS-contaminated regional groundwater site, the district used a $6.5 million DWSRF loan, $6.26 million from the New Hampshire Drinking Water and Groundwater Trust Fund, and $1.5 million in ARPA funds to complete a $14.5 million project. Refinancing through the New Hampshire PFAS Remediation Loan Fund reduced the burden on ratepayers. Post-completion testing confirmed PFAS levels below EPA’s maximum contaminant levels, and new water mains have since extended safe supply to affected households.

Stanislaus Regional Water Authority (California) has been recognised for Excellence in System Partnerships (AQUARIUS) for its Regional Surface Water Supply Project. The joint initiative between Turlock and Ceres constructed a new surface water treatment plant sourcing from the Tuolumne River to reduce dependence on contaminated and unreliable groundwater. With $184 million in DWSRF funding and an additional $30 million from California’s Proposition 68 program, the project enhances water quality and drought resilience for over 100,000 residents.

Since inception, EPA’s State Revolving Funds have provided over $244 billion in assistance for more than 70,000 drinking water and clean water projects nationwide — a testament to the transformative power of federal-state investment partnerships.