Campus RainWorks Challenge
EPA is pleased to announce the fifth annual Campus RainWorks Challenge winners!!
On this page:
About the Challenge
What is the Challenge?
Student teams design an innovative green infrastructure project for their campus that effectively manages stormwater runoff while benefitting the campus community and the environment. EPA plans to announce rules for the 2017 challenge this coming summer.
Who Can Enter?
College students form teams with a faculty sponsor. EPA plans to release eligibility requirements for the next Challenge in Summer 2017.
Background
Green infrastructure strategies use or mimic natural processes to manage stormwater. They use vegetation, soils, and rainwater harvesting to reduce or eliminate stormwater runoff, help maintain water quality, and create healthier urban environments. Conventional “gray” stormwater infrastructure—catch basins, drain pipes, and ponds—moves urban stormwater away from the built environment and discharges it into nearby water bodies. The runoff carries trash, bacteria, heavy metals, and other pollutants with it, degrading water quality. By weaving natural processes into the built environment, green infrastructure provides:
- stormwater management,
- heat island mitigation,
- air quality management, and
- community amenities.
See: Green Infrastructure Basics
How to Enter
Details for the next round of Campus RainWorks Challenge should be released in Summer 2017. Past challenges were designed to take place over the fall semester, with registration taking place during the month of September and entries due in December. All teams must register in order to submit an entry. The rules for the most recent completed round of the challenge can be found here: 2016 Campus RainWorks Challenge Competition Brief
If you would like to receive an e-mail when we release the rules for the 2017 challenge send an e-mail to RainWorks@epa.gov.
Prizes
For the 2016 challenge the first place team in each design category received a student prize of $2,000 to be divided evenly among the team and a faculty prize of $3,000. The second place team in each category received a student prize of $1,000 to be divided evenly among the team and a faculty prize of $2,000.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Where can I find examples of innovative green infrastructure projects?
Here are past winners of the Campus RainWorks Challenge:
- 2016 Campus RainWorks Winners
- 2015 Campus RainWorks Winners
- 2014 Campus RainWorks Winners
- 2013 Campus RainWorks Winners
- 2012 Campus RainWorks Winners
Here are a few websites that include green infrastructure projects:
- ASLA's Sustainable Landscapes Case Studies Exit
- The Sustainable Site Initiative's Certified Projects Exit
- LAF's Case Study Briefs Exit
Cooperating Organizations
These cooperating organizations assist EPA with judging and outreach:
American Society of Landscape Architects Exit
American Society of Civil Engineers Exit
Water Environment Federation Exit
To sign up for e-mail updates or ask a question about the Campus RainWorks Challenge, e-mail RainWorks@epa.gov.