Aquarius Recognition Program
AQUARIUS
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 five main areas. These projects are examples of the high level of innovation possible with the DWSRF.
States participating in this voluntary recognition program nominated one DWSRF project during the 2021 round. All DWSRF projects were 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” was selected for each of the five categories below:
- Excellence in Innovative Financing (e.g. a unique or uncommon funding mechanism was employed; co-financing)
- Excellence in System Partnerships (e.g. projects that involved many stakeholder entities; creation of regional water system)
- Excellence in Community Engagement (e.g. local schools or community groups played an integral role in the project design; a project that educates the community)
- Excellence in Environmental and Public Health Protection (e.g. project addresses health-based violations; a system returns to compliance)
- Excellence in Problem Solving (e.g. unique use of eligibilities to address an issue)
2021 Aquarius Recognition Compendium (pdf)
Map of 2021 AQUARIUS Recognition Projects
2021 AQUARIUS Recognition Projects
|
Recipient |
Project Name |
Recognition Level |
|
East Central Oklahoma Water Authority, Oklahoma |
Water Main Under the Arkansas River |
Excellence in Innovative Financing |
|
Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority, New Mexico |
Carnuel Water System Improvements, Phase I |
Excellence in System Partnerships |
|
Marana, Arizona |
Picture Rocks and Airline/Lambert Water Treatment Campuses |
Excellence in Community Engagement |
|
North Smithfield, Rhode Island |
Mechanic Street Water Main Extension |
Excellence in Public Health Protection |
|
Maryland American Water, Maryland |
Winters Run Water Treatment Plant Intake Improvements |
Excellence in Problem Solving |
|
Skagway, Alaska |
Skagway Redwood Tank Construction |
Honorable Mention |
|
Marshall, Arkansas |
Historic Marshall Water Main Rehabilitation |
Honorable Mention |
|
Bethel, Connecticut |
Chestnut Ridge Water Storage Tank |
Honorable Mention |
|
Milton, Delaware |
Wagamons Water Main Extension and Shipbuilders Well and Treatment |
Honorable Mention |
|
Warrenton, Georgia |
Warrenton Water System Improvements |
Honorable Mention |
|
Delphi, Indiana |
Capital Drinking Water Improvements |
Honorable Mention |
|
Public Wholesale Water Supply District No. 25, Kansas |
New Regional Water Supply System Creation |
Honorable Mention |
|
Eastham, Massachusetts |
Eastham Water System, Phase I |
Honorable Mention |
|
South Haven, Michigan |
Center Street Reconstruction |
Honorable Mention |
|
Gastonia, North Carolina |
Two Rivers Utilities Water Treatment Plant Improvements |
Honorable Mention |
|
Painesville, Ohio |
New Raw Water Intake |
Honorable Mention |
|
Cornelius, Oregon |
Aquifer Storage and Recovery |
Honorable Mention |
|
Clark Rural Water System, South Dakota |
Regionalization to Bradley and Willow Lake |
Honorable Mention |
|
Humboldt, Tennessee |
Water System Improvements |
Honorable Mention |
|
Hillsboro, Virginia |
Hillsboro Water System Improvements |
Honorable Mention |
|
Richland, Washington |
Richland Lorayne J Consolidation |
Honorable Mention |
|
Central Hampshire Public Service District, West Virginia |
Water System Improvements, Phase I |
Honorable Mention |
2021 PISCES and AQUARIUS Roundtable
On February 16, 2022, EPA hosted a virtual roundtable with state and community representatives to celebrate infrastructure projects recognized for excellence and innovation within the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) and Drinking Water SRF programs. These exemplary projects demonstrate leadership in innovative financing, partnership, and problem solving while improving water quality and public health protection.
Speakers included: EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox; Executive Director of the Council of Infrastructure Financing Authorities Deirdre Finn; Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority, New Mexico; Town of North Smithfield, Rhode Island; Town of Marana, Arizona; Maryland American Water, Maryland; ReHarvest Partners, Iowa; Garber Farms Inc., Virginia; City of Flagstaff, Arizona; Bartlesville Municipal Authority, Oklahoma; and Nisqually Tribe in Washington State.
Note: The first few minutes of Assistant Administrator Fox’s remarks were not recorded.
PREVIOUS YEARS
2020 Aquarius Program Compendium (pdf)
2019 Aquarius Recognition Program Compendium (EPA 816-K-17001) (pdf)