Program Information
The National Municipal Stormwater and Green Infrastructure Awards program, led by the Water Environment Federation (WEF), was established in 2015 through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to recognize high-performing regulated Municipal Separate Stormwater Sewer Programs (MS4s).
The objective of this program is to inspire MS4 Phase I and Phase II program leaders to seek innovative ways to meet and exceed regulatory requirements in a manner that is both technically effective as well as financially efficient. Submissions undergo a selection process wherein their submission is reviewed by an expert committee and evaluated in two categories: program management and innovation.
Based on the committees scoring, applicants are designated as Bronze, Silver, or Gold community programs. The high-performing programs(s) of each MS4 Phase within in each category will be selected as the category winner. Additionally, the Phase I and Phase II programs with the overall highest score will be honored as the formal winners of the year’s National Municipal Stormwater and Green Infrastructure Awards Program. The Phase I and Phase II winners of each category (i.e. program management, innovation, and overall winner) are traditionally recognized during WEFTEC.
For more information on the program, please review our frequently asked questions (FAQ) or contact Bianca Pinto at BPinto@wef.org
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
- City of Colorado Springs Stormwater Enterprise, Colorado
- St. Louis MS4 Co-permittee Group, Missouri
- City of Frisco, Stormwater Division Texas
- City of Alexandria, Virginia
Silver Recognition in Program Management
- Anne Arundel County Department of Public Works, Maryland
- City of Dayton Department of Water, Ohio
- Fairfax County Government, Virginia
- Louisville Metropolitan Sewer District, Kentucky
- Kansas Department of Transportation, Kansas
Bronze Recognition in Program Management
- Jefferson Parish Environmental Affairs, Louisiana
- City of San Marcos, Texas
Gold Recognition in Innovation
- Anne Arundel County Bureau of Watershed Protection & Restoration, Maryland
- City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities, Stormwater Utility, Virginia
- City of Frisco, Stormwater Division Texas
Silver Recognition in Innovation
- Fairfax County Government, Virginia
- City of Colorado Springs Stormwater Enterprise, Colorado
- St. Louis MS4 Co-permittee Group, Missouri
- City of Alexandria, Virginia
Bronze Recognition in Innovation
- Jefferson Parish Environmental Affairs, Louisiana
- Kansas Department of Transportation, Kansas
2021 Awards Program Information
2021 National Municipal Stormwater and Green Infrastructure Award Winners Announced
presents Mark Doneux (right) with Capitol Region Watershed District their 2021 MS4 Award for Overall Phase II Winner.
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
- City and County of Honolulu MS4 Program, Hawaii
- Capitol Region Watershed District, Minnesota
Silver Recognition in Program Management
- 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
- Central Massachusetts Regional Stormwater Coalition
- City of Alexandria, Virginia
Bronze Recognition in Program Management
- City of Dayton Department of Water, Ohio
- Jefferson Parish Environmental Affairs, Louisiana
- City of Bothell, Washington
- City of Greenwood, Indiana
- City of San Marcos Stormwater Management, Texas
Gold Recognition in Innovation
- Anne Arundel County Bureau of Watershed Protection & Restoration, Maryland
- Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources, Georgia
- Louisville and Jefferson County Metropolitan Sewer District, Kentucky
- Capitol Region Watershed District, Minnesota
- City of Alexandria, Virginia
Silver Recognition in Innovation
- 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
- Central Massachusetts Regional Stormwater Coalition
Bronze Recognition in Innovation
- Jefferson Parish Environmental Affairs, Louisiana
- City of Bothell, Washington
- City of Greenwood, Indiana
2020 Awards Program Information
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.
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
- 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
- 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
- Harris County Engineering Department, Texas
- Louisville and Jefferson County Metropolitan Sewer District, Kentucky
- Sewerage & Water Board of New Orleans, Louisiana
- 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
- 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
- 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
2019 Awards Program Information
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.
Phase I Winners Phase II 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 received a certificate indicating either Gold, Silver or Bronze level status in both program management and innovation. Gold recognition in Innovation Phase I Silver recognition in Innovation Bronze recognition in Innovation Gold recognition in Program Management Silver recognition in Program Management Phase I
Phase I
2018 Awards Program Information
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
2017 Awards Program Information
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
- 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
- Capitol Region Watershed District, St. Paul, Minn.
- City of Alexandria, Va.
Silver recognition in Innovation
- City of Wichita, Kan.
- Columbus, Ohio, Division of Sewerage and Drainage
- Louisville, Ky., MSD
- City of Dayton, Ohio; Department of Water
- City of Surprise, Ariz.
- Lake Havasu City, Ariz.
Gold recognition in Program Management
- 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
- Capitol Region Watershed District, St. Paul, Minn.
- City of Alexandria, Va.
Silver recognition in Program Management
- City of Dayton, Ohio; Department of Water
- City of Wichita, Kan.
- Columbus, Ohio, Division of Sewerage and Drainage
- Louisville, Ky., MSD
- City of Surprise, Ariz.
- Lake Havasu City, Ariz.
2016 Awards Program Information
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.
2015 Awards Program Information
2015 Awards Program Information
The National Municipal Stormwater and Green Infrastructure Awards program, led by WEF through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. EPA, was established to recognize high-performing regulated MS4 programs. The objective of the program is to recognize high-performing, regulated Phase I and Phase II MS4 communities that meet and exceed regulatory requirements in innovative ways that are effective and cost efficient.
In response to the 2015 call for applications, WEF received eight Phase I and 22 Phase II applications in the first year of this awards program. Three winners from both Phase I and Phase II communities were selected in the categories of program management, innovation, and overall highest score.
Applications were reviewed and winners selected by a diverse steering committee that included members and volunteers from WEF’s stormwater and watershed national committees, as well as representatives from each of the following organizations: the Association of Clean Water Administrators, American Rivers, the American Society of Civil Engineers, the American Society of Landscape Architects, the National Association of Clean Water Agencies, the National Association of Flood and Stormwater Management Agencies, and the Water Environment Research Foundation.
The award winners were formally announced and celebrated at the 2015 WEFTEC Stormwater Congress Luncheon on Monday, September 28 in Chicago.
Phase I – Charlotte Stormwater Services, Charlotte, N.C. Phase II – City of Fairbanks, Alaska Innovation Phase I – City of Santa Monica, Calif. and City of Tacoma, Wash. Phase II – City of Alexandria, Va. Program Management Phase I – Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection, Md. Phase II – Lafayette Consolidated Government, Lafayette, La.
Based on steering committee review scores, each application was categorized as a Bronze, Silver, or Gold level community within both Program Management and Innovation categories. All participants will receive certificates highlighting their level of achievement. Awards and certificates will be mailed to the winners following WEFTEC 2015.
All applicant designations are listed below:
Phase I Communities and MS4s
| Location | State | Program Management | Innovation | |
| City of Santa Monica | Santa Monica | Calif. | SILVER | SILVER |
| Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection | Rockville | Md. | GOLD | SILVER |
| City of Chattanooga | Chattanooga | Tenn. | SILVER | SILVER |
| Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans | New Orleans | La. | SILVER | SILVER |
| City of Tacoma | Tacoma | Wash. | SILVER | SILVER |
| Tennessee Department of Transportation | Nashville | Tenn. | SILVER | SILVER |
| Louisville Metropolitan Sewer District | Louisville | Ky. | SILVER | SILVER |
| Charlotte Stormwater Services | Charlotte | N.C. | GOLD | GOLD |
Phase II Communities and MS4s
| Location | State | Program Management | Innovation | |
| City of Mt. Juliet | Mt. Juliet | Tenn. | SILVER | BRONZE |
| Jefferson Parish | Jefferson | La. | SILVER | SILVER |
| Town of Ceredo | Ceredo | W.V. | SILVER | BRONZE |
| Lafayette Consolidated Government | Lafayette | La. | GOLD | SILVER |
| City of Springfield | Springfield | Ohio | SILVER | SILVER |
| Chemung County Stormwater Coalition | Horseheads | N.Y. | SILVER | SILVER |
| Capitol Region Watershed District | St. Paul | Minn. | SILVER | GOLD |
| City of Valparaiso | Valparaiso | Ind. | GOLD | SILVER |
| Purdue University | Lafayette | Ind. | SILVER | SILVER |
| City of St. Cloud | St. Cloud | Minn. | SILVER | SILVER |
| Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District | St. Louis | Mo. | SILVER | SILVER |
| Western Michigan University | Kalamazoo | Mich. | SILVER | SILVER |
| South Burlington | South Burlington | Vt. | SILVER | GOLD |
| City of Inver Grove Heights | Inver Grove Heights | Minn. | SILVER | GOLD |
| St. Tammany Parish (County) | Covington | La. | SILVER | SILVER |
| City of Oshkosh | Oshkosh | Wis. | SILVER | SILVER |
| City of Tuscaloosa | Tuscaloosa | Ala. | SILVER | SILVER |
| City of Lenexa | Lenexa | Kan. | SILVER | SILVER |
| Town of Ashland | Ashland | Va. | GOLD | SILVER |
| City of Fairbanks | Fairbanks | Alaska | GOLD | GOLD |
| City of Storm Lake | Storm Lake | Iowa | SILVER | SILVER |
| City of Alexandria | Alexandria | Va. | GOLD | GOLD |