MS4 Awards

The National Municipal Stormwater and Green Infrastructure Program for Municipal Separate Stormwater Sewer Systems (MS4) Program aims to recognize high-performing communities that meet and exceed regulatory requirements in a technically effective and financially efficient manner. Led by the Water Environment Federation (WEF), the program was established in 2015 through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Submissions undergo a thorough review by an expert committee and are evaluated in two categories: program management and innovation. The three highest-performing programs(s) in Phase I and II within each category are honored annually at WEFTEC.

Applications are open for the 2024 MS4 Awards. Submit your application by June 7, 2024, to be honored at the 97th Annual WEFTEC Exhibition and Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana, October 5 - 9, 2024.

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Have questions? Email Lisa Deason, Stormwater Practice Leader or text/call 706-681-7091.

 

2023 AWARDS 2022 Awards 2021 Awards 2020 Awards 2019 Awards 2018 Awards 2017 Awards 2016 Awards

2023 National Municipal Stormwater and Green Infrastructure Award Winners Announced

Six organizations have been selected to receive awards as part of the Water Environment Federation (WEF) National Municipal Stormwater and Green Infrastructure Awards program for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) owners/operators. The program, in its ninth year, was launched in 2015 by the Water Environment Federation (WEF) under a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 

The 2023 National Municipal Stormwater and Green Infrastructure Award Recipients are:

The winners of the 2023 Phase I MS4 Awards are:

• MS4 Phase I Overall Winner: Fairfax County Virginia Department of Public Works and Environmental Services -- Fairfax, Virginia
• MS4 Phase I Innovation Winner: Louisville and Jefferson County Metropolitan Sewer District -- Louisville, Kentucky 
• MS4 Phase I Program Management Winner: Anne Arundel County Department of Public Works -- Bureau of Watershed Protection and Restoration

The winners of the 2023 Phase II MS4 Awards are:

• MS4 Phase II Overall Winner: The State of Hawaii, Department of Transportation, -- Highways Maui District Kahului, Hawaii
• MS4 Phase II Innovation Winner:  Lower Allen Township Public Works Camp Hill, -- Pennsylvania
• MS4 Phase II Program Management Winner: Capitol Region Watershed District -- St. Paul, Minnesota

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2022 Awards Program Information – Winners Announced

Thirteen U.S. communities were recognized for excellence in municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) program management and innovation as part of the 2022 National Municipal Stormwater and Green Infrastructure Awards program.

The winners of the 2022 Phase I MS4 Awards are:

• Overall Winner: Anne Arundel County Department of Public Works, Maryland
• Program Management Winner: City of Colorado Springs Stormwater Enterprise, Colorado
• Innovation Winner: Anne Arundel County Department of Public Works, Maryland

The winners of the 2022 Phase II MS4 Awards are:

• Overall Winner: City of Frisco, Stormwater Division Texas
• Program Management Winner: St. Louis MS4 Co-permittee Group, Missouri
• Innovation Winner: City of Richmond, Stormwater Utility, Virginia

In addition to the winners, each applicant has been designated a Gold, Silver, or Bronze level status in both program management and innovation, which signifies their status among other MS4 communities across the country who also participated in this year’s award program

Gold Recognition in Program Management

Phase I: City of Colorado Springs Stormwater Enterprise, Colorado

Phase II:

• St. Louis MS4 Co-permittee Group, Missouri
• City of Frisco, Stormwater Division Texas
• City of Alexandria, Virginia

Silver Recognition in Program Management

Phase I

• Anne Arundel County Department of Public Works, Maryland
• City of Dayton Department of Water, Ohio
• Fairfax County Government, Virginia
• Louisville Metropolitan Sewer District, Kentucky

Phase II: Kansas Department of Transportation, Kansas

Bronze Recognition in Program Management

• Phase I: Jefferson Parish Environmental Affairs, Louisiana
• Phase II: City of San Marcos, Texas

Gold Recognition in Innovation

Phase I: Anne Arundel County Bureau of Watershed Protection & Restoration, Maryland

Phase II

• City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities, Stormwater Utility, Virginia
• City of Frisco, Stormwater Division Texas

Silver Recognition in Innovation

Phase I

• Fairfax County Government, Virginia
• City of Colorado Springs Stormwater Enterprise, Colorado

Phase II

• St. Louis MS4 Co-permittee Group, Missouri
• City of Alexandria, Virginia

Bronze Recognition in Innovation

• Phase I: Jefferson Parish Environmental Affairs, Louisiana
• Phase II: Kansas Department of Transportation, Kansas

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2021 National Municipal Stormwater and Green Infrastructure Award Winners Announced

Sixteen U.S. communities were recognized for excellence in municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) program management and innovation as part of the 2021 National Municipal Stormwater and Green Infrastructure Awards program. The initiative, developed and introduced in 2015 by the Water Environment Federation (WEF) in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is also known as the MS4 Awards program.

The winners of the seventh annual MS4 Awards are:

• Phase I Overall Winner: Anne Arundel County Bureau of Watershed Protection & Restoration, Maryland
• Phase II Overall Winner: Capitol Region Watershed District, Minnesota
• Phase I Program Management Winner: City and County of Honolulu MS4 Program, Hawaii
• Phase II Program Management Winner: Central Massachusetts Regional Stormwater Coalition
• Phase I Innovation Winner: Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources, Georgia
• Phase II Innovation Winner: City of Alexandria, Virginia

In addition to the winners, each applicant was categorized into levels signifying their status among other MS4 communities across the country. Each MS4 will receive a certificate indicating a designation of Gold, Silver or Bronze level status in both program management and innovation.

Gold Recognition in Program Management

• Phase I: City and County of Honolulu MS4 Program, Hawaii
• Phase II: Capitol Region Watershed District, Minnesota

Silver Recognition in Program Management

Phase I

• Anne Arundel County Bureau of Watershed Protection & Restoration, Maryland
• City of Birmingham – Planning, Engineering, and Permits, Alabama
• Fairfax County Government, Virginia
• Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources, Georgia
• Louisville and Jefferson County Metropolitan Sewer District, Kentucky

Phase II

• Central Massachusetts Regional Stormwater Coalition
• City of Alexandria, Virginia

Bronze Recognition in Program Management

Phase I

• City of Dayton Department of Water, -- Ohio
• Jefferson Parish Environmental Affairs, -- Louisiana

Phase II

• City of Bothell, Washington
• City of Greenwood, Indiana
• City of San Marcos Stormwater Management, Texas

Gold Recognition in Innovation

Phase I

• Anne Arundel County Bureau of Watershed Protection & Restoration, Maryland
• Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources, Georgia
• Louisville and Jefferson County Metropolitan Sewer District, Kentucky

Phase II

• Capitol Region Watershed District, Minnesota
• City of Alexandria, Virginia

Silver Recognition in Innovation

Phase I

• City of Birmingham – Planning, Engineering, and Permits, Alabama
• City of Dayton, Department of Water, Ohio
• City of Minneapolis, Minnesota
• Fairfax County Government, Virginia
• Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection, Maryland
• City and County of Honolulu MS4 Program, Hawaii

Phase II: Central Massachusetts Regional Stormwater Coalition

Bronze Recognition in Innovation

Phase I: Jefferson Parish Environmental Affairs, Louisiana

Phase II

• City of Bothell, Washington
• City of Greenwood, Indiana

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2020 National Municipal Stormwater and Green Infrastructure Award Winners Announced

Eighteen high-performing municipalities received recognition in the sixth annual National Municipal Stormwater and Green Infrastructure Awards. These awards celebrate administrators of MS4s that perform beyond regulatory requirements.

The awards recognize performance in the categories of innovation and program management as well as combined high scores in both categories. Submissions for the National Municipal Stormwater and Green Infrastructure Awards undergo an expert committee review and selection process.

The winners of the sixth annual National Municipal Stormwater and Green Infrastructure Awards are:

Phase I Winners

• Overall Winner – City of Charlotte Storm Water Services, North Carolina
• Program Management Winner – Anne Arundel County Department of Public Works, Maryland
• Innovation Winner – Metro Nashville Water Services – Stormwater NPDES Office, Tennessee

Phase II Winners

• Overall Winner – Capitol Region Watershed District, Minnesota
• Program Management Winner – City of Alexandria, Virginia
• Innovation Winner – Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District – St. Louis MS4 Co-Permittee Group, Missouri

Read more about the 2020 Award Winners in the Stormwater Report and view the videos below from the Phase I and Phase II Overall Winners.

In addition to the winners, the other applicants were categorized into levels signifying their status among other MS4 communities across the country. Each MS4 will receive a certificate indicating either Gold, Silver or Bronze level status in both program management and innovation.

Gold recognition in Program Management

Phase I

• Anne Arundel County Department of Public Works, Maryland
• City of Birmingham – Planning, Engineering, and Permits, Alabama
• City of Charlotte Storm Water Services, North Carolina
• City of Dayton, Department of Water, Ohio
• Fairfax County Government, Virginia
• Jefferson Parish Environmental Affairs, Louisiana
• Metro Nashville Water Services – Stormwater NPDES Office, Tennessee

Phase II

• Capitol Region Watershed District, Minnesota
• City of Alexandria, Virginia
• City of Denton, Texas
• Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District – St. Louis MS4 Co-Permittee Group, Missouri
• Rockville, Maryland
• Town of Lexington, Massachusetts

Silver recognition in Program Management

Phase I

• Harris County Engineering Department, Texas
• Louisville and Jefferson County Metropolitan Sewer District, Kentucky
• Sewerage & Water Board of New Orleans, Louisiana

Phase II

• City of Piqua, Ohio
• Lake Havasu City, Arizona

Gold recognition in Innovation

• Phase I

• City of Charlotte Storm Water Services, North Carolina
• Metro Nashville Water Services – Stormwater NPDES Office, Tennessee

Silver recognition in Innovation

Phase I

• Anne Arundel County Department of Public Works, Maryland
• City of Birmingham – Planning, Engineering, and Permits, Alabama
• City of Dayton, Department of Water, Ohio
• Fairfax County Government, Virginia
• Harris County Engineering Department, Texas
• Jefferson Parish Environmental Affairs, Louisiana
• Louisville and Jefferson County Metropolitan Sewer District, Kentucky
• Sewerage & Water Board of New Orleans, Louisiana

Phase II

• Capitol Region Watershed District, Minnesota
• City of Alexandria, Virginia
• City of Denton, Texas
• City of Piqua, Ohio
• Lake Havasu City, Arizona
• Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District – St. Louis MS4 Co-Permittee Group, Missouri
• Rockville, Maryland
• Town of Lexington, Massachusetts

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WEF Announces Fifth Year of MS4 Award Winners at WEFTEC 2019

Twenty-two high-performing municipalities and one university received recognition in the fifth annual National Municipal Stormwater and Green Infrastructure Awards on Sept. 23. These awards celebrate administrators of MS4s that perform beyond regulatory requirements.

The 2019 distinctions were awarded to the winners during the annual Stormwater Congress Luncheon at WEFTEC 2019 in Chicago, Ill.

The awards recognize performance in the categories of innovation and program management as well combined high scores in both categories. Applications for the National Municipal Stormwater and Green Infrastructure Awards are reviewed by a broad work team of water sector experts.

The winners of the fifth annual National Municipal Stormwater and Green Infrastructure Awards are:

Phase I Winners

• Metropolitan Nashville (Tenn.) Water Services—Overall Winner
• Anne Arundel County, Md.—Program Management
• Louisville and Jefferson County (Ky.) Metropolitan Sewer District—Innovation

Phase II Winners

• City of Alexandria, Va.— Overall Winner
• Capitol Region (Minn.) Watershed District—Innovation
• Rogue Valley (Ore.) Sewer Services—Program Management

In addition to the winners, the other applicants were categorized into levels signifying their status among other MS4 communities across the country. Each MS4 received a certificate indicating either Gold, Silver or Bronze level status in both program management and innovation.

Gold recognition in Innovation

Phase I

• Louisville and Jefferson County (Ky.) Metropolitan Sewer District
• Metro Nashville (Tenn.) Water Services – Stormwater Division

Silver recognition in Innovation

Phase I

• Albuquerque (N.M.) Metropolitan Arroyo Flood Control Authority
• Anne Arundel County, Md.
• Baltimore City (Md.) Department of Public Works
• City of Atlanta (Ga.) Department of Watershed Management
• City of Lincoln (Neb.) Watershed Management Division
• City of Roswell (Ga.) Stormwater Utility
• Fairfax County (Va.) Government
• New York City Department of Environmental Protection
• Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (La.)

Phase II

• Capitol Region Watershed District (Minn.)
• City of Alexandria (Va.)
• City of Denton (Texas)
• City of Pensacola (Fla.)
• City of Port St. Lucie (Fla.)
• City of Westlake (Ohio)
• Hobart (Ind.) Sanitary/Stormwater District
• Roanoke City (Va.) Stormwater Utility
• Rogue Valley (Ore.) Sewer Services
• The Pennsylvania State University (University Park, Pa.)
• Town of Queen Creek (Ariz.)

Bronze recognition in Innovation

Phase I

• Harris County (Texas) Engineering Department

Gold recognition in Program Management

Phase I

• Albuquerque (N.M.) Metropolitan Arroyo Flood Control Authority
• Anne Arundel County, Md.
• Baltimore City (Md.) Department of Public Works
• City of Lincoln (Neb.) Watershed Management Division
• City of Roswell (Ga.) Stormwater Utility
• Fairfax County (Va.) Government
• Louisville and Jefferson County (Ky.) Metropolitan Sewer District
• Metro Nashville (Tenn.) Water Services – Stormwater Division
• New York City Department of Environmental Protection
• Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (La.)

Phase II

• Capitol Region Watershed District (Minn.)
• City of Alexandria (Va.)
• City of Denton (Texas)
• City of Pensacola (Fla.)
• City of Port St. Lucie (Fla.)
• City of Westlake (Ohio)
• Hobart (Ind.) Sanitary/Stormwater District
• Roanoke City (Va.) Stormwater Utility
• Rogue Valley (Ore.) Sewer Services
• The Pennsylvania State University (University Park, Pa.)
• Town of Queen Creek (Ariz.)

Silver recognition in Program Management

Phase I

• City of Atlanta (Ga.) Department of Watershed Management
• Harris County (Texas) Engineering Department

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WEF Stormwater Institute announces 2018 MS4 Award winners

22 agencies received recognition by the fourth annual WEF National Municipal Stormwater and Green Infrastructure Awards Program on Oct. 1, 2018. The winners received their awards at the Stormwater Congress Luncheon held at WEFTEC^® 2018 in New Orleans.

Housed within the WEF Stormwater Institute, this awards program was developed to encourage innovation among MS4 programs nationwide. The MS4 awards are intended to inspire leaders to seek new and innovative ways to meet and exceed regulatory requirements in ways that are technically effective and financially efficient.

The three award categories are Program Management, Innovation, and Overall Highest Score, which indicates the best performing programs. Each category has winners in both Phase I and Phase II communities.

The 2018 National Municipal Stormwater and Green Infrastructure Award winners are:

Phase I Winners

• Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, Division of Water Quality, Kentucky – Program Management and Overall Highest Score
• Louisville Metropolitan Sewer District, Kentucky — Innovation

Phase II Winners

• City of Alexandria, Virginia — Innovation and Overall Highest Score
• City of Auburn, Alabama – Program Management

In addition to the winners, the other applicants were categorized into levels signifying their status among other MS4 communities nationwide. Each MS4 received a certificate indicating Silver or Gold level status in both program management and innovation.

Gold in Innovation

Phase I

• Louisville Metropolitan Sewer District, Kentucky

Silver in Innovation

Phase I

• Anne Arundel County, Maryland
• City of Dayton, Department of Water, Ohio
• City of Glendale, Water Services Department, Arizona
• City of Los Angeles, LA Sanitation and Environment, Watershed Protection Division
• City of Pensacola, Florida
• District Department of the Environment, Washington, D.C.
• Fairfax County, Department of Public Works and Environmental Services, Stormwater Planning Division, Virginia
• Jefferson Parish, Louisiana
• Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, Division of Water Quality, Kentucky
• State of Hawaii Department of Transportation, Highways Division, Oahu District

Phase II

• Capitol Region Watershed District, Minnesota
• City of Alexandria, Virginia
• City of Auburn, Alabama
• City of Richmond, Department of Public Utilities, Virginia
• East Lampeter Township, Pennsylvania
• Lake Havasu City, Arizona
• Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District, Missouri
• Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans, Louisiana
• St Tammany Parish Government, Louisiana
• Town of North Hempstead, New York
• Town of Yarmouth, Massachusetts

Gold in Program Management

Phase I

• Anne Arundel County, Maryland
• City of Dayton, Department of Water, Ohio
• City of Glendale, Water Services Department, Arizona
• City of Los Angeles, LA Sanitation and Environment, Watershed Protection Division
• District Department of the Environment, Washington, D.C.
• Fairfax County, Department of Public Works and Environmental Services, Stormwater Planning Division, Virginia
• Jefferson Parish, Louisiana
• Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, Division of Water Quality, Kentucky
• Louisville Metropolitan Sewer District, Kentucky
• State of Hawaii Department of Transportation, Highways Division, Oahu District

Phase II

• Capitol Region Watershed District, Minnesota
• City of Alexandria, Virginia
• City of Auburn, Alabama
• City of Richmond, Department of Public Utilities, Virginia
• East Lampeter Township, Pennsylvania
• Lake Havasu City, Arizona
• Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District, Missouri
• Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans, Louisiana
• Town of Yarmouth, Massachusetts

Silver in Program Management

Phase I

• City of Pensacola, Florida

Phase II

• St Tammany Parish Government, Louisiana
• Town of North Hempstead, New York

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WEF Announces Third Year of MS4 Award Winners at WEFTEC 2017

Thirteen high-performing municipalities received recognition in the third annual National Municipal Stormwater and Green Infrastructure Awards on Oct. 2, 2017. These awards celebrate administrators of MS4s that perform beyond regulatory requirements.

The 2017 distinctions were awarded to the winners during the annual Stormwater Congress Luncheon at WEFTEC 2017 in Chicago.

The awards recognize performance in the categories of innovation and program management as well combined high scores in both categories.

The winners of the 3rd annual National Municipal Stormwater and Green Infrastructure Awards are:

Overall Highest Scores

• Phase I – City of Austin, Texas, Watershed Protection Department
• Phase II – Capitol Region Watershed District, St. Paul, Minn.

Innovation

• Phase I – Boston Water and Sewer Commission
• Phase II – Lake Havasu City, Ariz.

Program Management

• Phase I – City of Alpharetta, Ga.
• Phase II – City of Alexandria, Va.

The 2017 recipients were awarded silver or gold certificates based on their level of performance in innovation or program management.

Gold recognition in Innovation

Phase I

• Boston Water and Sewer Commission
• City of Alpharetta, Ga.
• City of Corpus Christi, Texas
• City of Grand Rapids, Mich.
• City of Austin, Texas, Watershed Protection Department

Phase II

• Capitol Region Watershed District, St. Paul, Minn.
• City of Alexandria, Va.

Silver recognition in Innovation

Phase I

• City of Wichita, Kan.
• Columbus, Ohio, Division of Sewerage and Drainage
• Louisville, Ky., MSD
• City of Dayton, Ohio; Department of Water

Phase II

• City of Surprise, Ariz.
• Lake Havasu City, Ariz.

Gold recognition in Program Management

Phase I

• Boston Water and Sewer Commission
• City of Alpharetta, Ga.
• City of Corpus Christi, Texas
• City of Grand Rapids, Mich.
• City of Austin, Texas, Watershed Protection Department

Phase II

• Capitol Region Watershed District, St. Paul, Minn.
• City of Alexandria, Va.

Silver recognition in Program Management

Phase I

• City of Dayton, Ohio; Department of Water
• City of Wichita, Kan.
• Columbus, Ohio, Division of Sewerage and Drainage
• Louisville, Ky., MSD

Phase II

• City of Surprise, Ariz.
• Lake Havasu City, Ariz.

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WEF Announces Second Year of MS4 Award Winners at WEFTEC 2016

Six high-performing municipalities left the 89th annual Water Environment Technical Exhibition and Conference (WEFTEC® 2016) in New Orleans as recipients of this year’s National Municipal Stormwater and Green Infrastructure Awards.

The distinction, introduced last year to celebrate administrators of MS4s that perform beyond regulatory requirements, was awarded to the winners during WEFTEC’s annual Stormwater Congress on Sept. 27.

While all entrants received gold, silver, or bronze certificates based on their level of performance in the categories of innovation and program management, three stand-out winners from each classification were chosen in each category. Two additional winners were recognized for achieving combined high scores in both assessments.

The winners of the 2nd annual National Municipal Stormwater and Green Infrastructure Awards are:

Overall Highest Scores

• Phase I – Santa Clara Valley Urban Runoff Pollution Prevention Program, Calif.
• Phase II – Capitol Region Watershed District, Minn.

Innovation

• Phase I – Jefferson Parish Environmental Affairs, La.
• Phase II – City of Auburn, Ala.

Program Management

• Phase I – City of Austin, Texas Watershed Protection Department
• Phase II – Kitsap County Public Works, Wash.

Applications for the National Municipal Stormwater and Green Infrastructure Awards were reviewed by a broad steering committee of water sector experts, including representatives from WEF.

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