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Related Topics:
  • Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF)
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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) (6.99 MB)

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) (5.09 MB, 2020)
2020 Aquarius Program Compendium

2019 Aquarius Recognition Program Compendium (EPA 816-K-17001) (pdf) (20.53 MB, November 2019)

Contact Us to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem.
Last updated on December 20, 2022
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