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History
Criteria
The Awards Process
Section 501 (e) of the Clean Water Act (CWA)
authorizes the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) to recognize municipalities and industries
for outstanding and innovative achievements
through a waste treatment or pollution abatement
program. The authority is carried out through
the Clean Water Act Recognition Awards
program.

The national program was initiated in 1985 to
increase public  awareness of the contributions
wastewater treatment facilities make to clean
water. The first awards were  presented in 1986
to recognize outstanding Operations and
Maintenance (O&M) at publicly owned
treatment facilities.

In 1988, Sludge (Biosolids) Award was added to
recognize outstanding biosolids operating
projects, technology development, research.
beneficial uses, and public acceptance efforts.

In 1989, the Prelreatment Award was added to
recognize municipal implementation and
enforcement of local pretreatmcnl programs.

In 1990, the Most Improved Plant award was
added lo the O&M awards category to rccogni/e
the efforts of small wastewater treatment  facilities.

In 1991, the Combined Sewer Overflow Control
Program Excellence Awards and the Slormwater
Management Excellence Awards were added to
rccogni/,e outstanding projects  in these program
areas.

Application deadline dates for any state, regional
and national awards may vary for each award
category.
Municipalities and researchers in the
wastcwaler treatment industry are encouraged
to participate in the EPA's CWA Recognition
Awards Program.

The program currently recognizes outstanding
achievements in:

• Operations and Maintenance (O&M) at
    publicly owned treatment facilities
• Biosolids Management
• Pretreatment Programs
• Slormwater Management
• Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Control
  Programs

All interested parties should:

• Be in compliance with their National
Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
(NPDES) permit and other applicable water
quality requirements.

• Be able to demonstrate in writing LIU
outstanding achievement in their wastewater
treatment or pollution abatement program
towards protecting water quality.

• Contact their Stale water pollution control
agency or EPA regional oil ice.

For details on eligibility requirements and
evaluation criteria visit
www.cpa.gov/owm/mtb/intnet.htm.
 Stale water pollution control agencies solicit
 nominations from wastcwaler irealment facilities
 and programs in their state.

 Nominated facilities and programs may be asked
 lo complete an application for consideration of an
 award.  Nominations may be eligible for state
 awards  and recommended for a regional award.

 Regional Awards

 The EPA Regional Offices screen the nominees
 with the Slate water pollution control agencies.
 Selection panels choose the programs and projects
 that may receive annual Regional awards and then
 may become eligible for consideration of a
 national award.

 National Awards

 Nominations from EPA regions undergo a
 headquarters compliance screening process and
 are evaluated by a panel of expert judges that
 make recommendations lor a national award. The
 awards  are presented annually at EPA's Clean
 Water Act Recognition Awards ceremony during
 the Water Environment Federation's Technical
 Exposition and Conference (WEFTEC).

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