AQUARIUS Recognition Program
The Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) is a $45 billion federal-state partnership dedicated to protecting America’s public health. The program finances the construction and rehabilitation of critical drinking water infrastructure, along with public health-focused programs and activities across our nation. The DWSRF AQUARIUS program nationally recognizes DWSRF-funded projects for exceptional focus on six main areas. These projects are examples of the high level of innovation possible with the DWSRF.
States participating in this voluntary recognition program can nominate one DWSRF project during the 2023 round. All DWSRF projects are eligible for nomination, as long as the project (or a distinct project phase) is complete. The project must meet three criteria to be eligible:
- Address the most serious risk to human health;
- Necessary to ensure compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act; and
- Assist systems most in need, on a per household basis, according to state-determined affordability criteria
This year, one “Exceptional Project” will be selected for each of the six categories below:
- Excellence in Innovative Financing: project utilizes a variety of techniques to provide the best deal to the assistance recipient, including additional subsidy and co-financing with other state and federal agencies.
- Excellence in System Partnerships: project involves several stakeholders who work together and utilize DWSRF funding to solve various drinking water system challenges. Solutions include consolidation for public health reasons or creation of a regional drinking water system.
- Excellence in Community Engagement: project occurs because of active community participation, and the community is engaged in all aspects of the project.
- Excellence in Environmental and Public Health Protection: project addresses health-based violations with primary drinking water standards, emerging contaminants of concern, or public health threats to a non-regulated community (e.g., community on private wells).
- Excellence in Climate Change Mitigation and Resiliency: project allows the assistance recipient to reduce their contribution to or to adapt to climate change.
- Excellence in Creative Solutions: project utilizes DWSRF funding to accomplish goals and ultimately increase public health benefits for the community. This category is broad and may overlap with the other five categories above.
2023 Projects
On April 3, 2024 EPA recognized state and community representatives for excellent and innovative projects within the clean water state revolving fund (CWSRF) and the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) programs at the Council of Water Infrastructure Financing Authorities (CIFA). These exemplary projects demonstrate leadership in innovative financing, partnership and problem solving while improving water quality and public health protection.
Stay tuned! later this spring we will be releasing more information about our AQUARIUS projects. In the meantime, a list of the 2023 projects and communities is below.
|
Recipient |
Project Name |
Recognition Level |
|
City of Harrington, Delaware |
Water Main System Improvements |
Excellence in Innovative Financing |
|
Duck Lake Water Association, Washington |
Johnson Creek and Duck Lake Consolidation |
Excellence in System Partnerships |
|
White Mountain Apache Housing Authority, Arizona |
Apache Pine Housing Project |
Excellence in Community Engagement |
|
Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority, New Mexico |
South Valley Drinking Water Project, Phases 7B, 7C, and 7D |
Excellence in Environmental and Public Health Protection |
|
City of Homer, Alaska |
Seawall Armor Rock |
Excellence in Climate Change Mitigation and Resiliency |
|
City of Benton Harbor, Michigan |
City-Wide Lead Service Line Replacements |
Excellence in Creative Solutions |
|
Benton County, Town of Rambo, Arkansas |
Water System Improvements to Serve Rambo Water District #1 and Benton County Water Authority #5 |
Honorable Mention |
|
City of Fruitland, Maryland |
Water System Upgrade: Supply Well and Water Treatment Plant |
Honorable Mention |
|
Jet Utilities Authority, Oklahoma |
Water System Improvements—Chemical Feed Building and New Storage Tank |
Honorable Mention |
|
Youngsville Borough, Pennsylvania |
Lead Line Removal |
Honorable Mention |
|
Comanche County Water Supply Corporation, Texas |
Pump Station Improvements |
Honorable Mention |
|
Lee County Public Service Authority, Virginia |
Giles Hollow Community Waterline Extension, Phase I |
Honorable Mention |
PREVIOUS YEARS
2022 AQUARIUS Project Compendium (pdf)
2021 AQUARIUS Recognition Program Compendium (pdf)
2020 AQUARIUS Program Compendium (pdf)
2019 AQUARIUS Recognition Program Compendium (EPA 816-K-17001) (pdf)