CWSRF PISCES AWARDS
Performance and Innovation in the SRF
Creating Environmental Success
Clean Water
State Revolving Fund
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Congratulations to the winners of the 4th annual Performance & Innovation in the SRF Creating Environmental
Success (PISCES) Awards. The 2008 PISCES Awards recognize those individual projects that best
represent the CWSRF s commitment to innovative and sustainable water quality financing.
Each state program was asked to nominate one or more assistance recipients for PISCES recognition. One
recipient from each state was selected to receive the Award. Threshold nomination criteria consist of leadership
and innovation in Clean Water Act compliance and financial integrity.
In addition, each borrower had to demonstrate a commitment to one or more of the following criteria:
• Better management practices
• Full-cost pricing
• Efficient water use
• Watershed approach
• Innovation in financing
• Innovative approach to project implementation,
• Creative use of partnerships
The winners will be announced at the national meeting of the Council for Infrastructure Finance Authorities
(CIFA) in Providence, Rhode Island in October of 2008. EPA Regional Administrators will present the winning
projects with a plaque and certificate at a later date.
The CWSRF program is pleased to share with you the winners of the 2008 PISCES Awards.
2008 CWSRF PISCES Awards
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REGION 1:
Point O'Woods Association, Town of Old
Lyme, Connecticut:
Point O'Woods is a beach community served
by an onsite septic systems and a seasonal water
system. CWSRF loan assistance financed the con-
struction of a sanitary sewer system and a year-
round water distribution system. This combined
water and sewer project is being completed under
one construction contract, reducing administra-
tive costs and DWSRF construction costs, since
much of the trench work is covered by CWSRF
funds. This project provides an excellent example
of neighboring communities working together
with state partners to address their wastewater
and water needs.
Town of Bucksport, Maine:
Bucksport used a CWSRF loan to construct a
combined sewer overflow treatment facility that
utilizes an innovative, low-energy swirl concen-
trator technology to treat wet weather flows to
primary level plus disinfection. The new facility
is located at the former site of old, derelict build-
ings that were an eyesore to the community. The
land adjacent to the facility now contains a park,
a fishing pier, and access to a new waterfront
walking path. The combination of energy efficient
technology and the multi-use nature of the site
provides an outstanding example of an innovative
approach to project implementation.
Town of Cohasset, Massachusetts:
Designed to treat stormwater runoff prior to its
entry into the stormwater collection system,
this project included the construction of
approximately 40 rainfall gardens and a water
quality inlet. Together they will help prevent
considerable litter, suspended solids, and other
contaminants from polluting the local watershed,
which is important for protecting Cohasset's
drinking water. Funded through a CWSRF
loan in combination with a Section 319 Non-
point Source Grant, this project is an excellent
example of the use of sustainable, low impact
development practices and received a Smart
Growth Award from Massachusetts in 2006.
Middletown, Rhode Island:
Bailey Brook is the primary feeder stream to
Easton's Pond, the main drinking water reservoir
for the City of Newport. In order to protect the
water quality in Bailey Brook, Middletown used
a SI million CWSRF loan to purchase forty five
acres of an agricultural nursery adjacent to the
brook. Once in danger of being developed, the
parcel has now been turned into a park. The
projects success is in part a result of the dynamic
partnership between Middletown, the State of
Rhode Island, the City of Newport Water De-
partment, and the Aquidneck Island Land Trust.
Town of Colchester, Vermont:
Colchester received S450,000 in CWSRF funds to
capitalize a homeowner septic system revolving
loan fund. The Town's location on the shore of
Lake Champlain makes water quality a prior-
ity, but plans to extend existing sewer lines were
unpopular with residents due to affordability
Rain garden in Cohasset, MA.
Clean Water
State Revolving Fund
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concerns. The revolving fund allows Colchester
to assist local property owners in repairing and
replacing septic tanks without adding a significant
financial burden to the community at large. This
project demonstrates that a municipality can de-
velop and effectively run a complete financing and
regulatory program for individual septic systems.
REGION 2
Rahway Valley Sewerage Authority,
New Jersey:
The Rahway Valley Sewerage Authority (RVSA)
used a SI 10 million CWSRF loan to undertake
a comprehensive wastewater treatment plant
expansion and upgrade in order to accommodate
increased stress on the system caused by wet
weather events. Ultimately, RVSA will be able to
blend filtered effluent with primary effluent to
achieve a composite level of secondary treat-
ment. This will be made possible by modifica-
tions to new pumping stations, primary treatment
improvements, and a new UV disinfection system.
Rockland County Sewer District No. 1,
New York:
Rockland County received an S80.8 million
CWSRF loan to replace septic systems with a new
collection system and advanced wastewater treat-
ment plant. Because effluent will be discharged
into a water supply that serves millions of down-
stream users, the District is installing advanced
treatment technology that exceeds Clean Water
Act requirements. The health of the aquifer and
the river are expected to improve dramatically
when the plant becomes operational in early 2009.
REGION 3
City of Lewes, Delaware:
Lewes used a CWSRF loan to expand and
upgrade its wastewater treatment facility. The ex-
pansion was necessary because the average flows
entering the facility were approaching treatment
capacity. The plant now removes an additional
7,000 pounds of pollutants per month from the
effluent stream. The improved facility reflects the
city's commitment to environmental stewardship
and has created a system that will serve the needs
of the Lewes community for years to come.
Town of Easton, Maryland:
This project is designed to cap the Town of
Easton's nutrient load discharge to the Chesa-
peake Bay through a renovation of the existing
wastewater system. A S20.5 million CWSRF loan
was used to expand the systems overall capacity
and install state-of-the-art enhanced nutrient
removal technologies. This project addresses the
Town's long-term wastewater needs and exceeds
Chesapeake Bay water quality goals.
Schuylkill Valley Sewer Authority,
Pennsylvania:
Due to concerns about the high rate of direct
discharge of residential sewage and storm wa-
ter runoff into local streams, mine shafts, and
stripping pits, several southeastern Pennsylvania
communities created the Schuylkill Valley Sewer
Authority (SVSA) in order to develop a regional
solution. The SVSA utilized SI7.6 million in
CWSRF funds to build a state-of-the-art wastewa-
ter treatment facility. The result is a cost effective,
regional solution to the public health risks of
direct discharge sewers that provides a long-term
solution for wastewater and stormwater treatment
in the Schuylkill Valley.
Town of Abingdon, Virginia:
Abingdon used a S9.8 million CWSRF loan to up-
grade and expand the Wolf Creek Water Reclama-
tion Facility. The project expanded the facility's
capacity and incorporated advanced treatment.
Upgrades included the construction of a special
waste handling facility so the plant can receive
and treat septic tank wastewater, grease, and other
special wastes. The culmination of a decades-long
asset management plan, the plant upgrades have
provided for the optimization of the existing
facility and have resulted in cleaner effluent being
released into local waterbodies.
Morgantown Utility Board,
West Virginia:
In 2003, the Morgantown Utility Board (MUB)
formed West Virginia's first stormwater util-
2008 CWSRF PISCES Awards
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ity. MUB's priority has been to reduce stream-
bank erosion and water quality degradation in
two streams in urban watersheds. An existing
wetland was reconstructed to improve storm-
water detention and natural stream restoration
techniques were used to stabilize the streambanks.
MUB developed a unique funding strategy for
this project that included user fees, reinvestment
of Business & Occupation taxes, state grants, and
a CWSRF loan, the first loan issued for a storm-
water project in West Virginia.
REGION 4
City of Marathon, Florida:
Marathon is utilizing CWSRF funds to imple-
ment a comprehensive approach to waste water
management, including the construction of an
innovative vacuum wastewater collection system.
Because the vacuum collection system is water
tight, the trench for the collection system will
be used as an exfiltration treatment system for
stormwater. GIS mapping of the wastewater/
stormwater system is being done in conjunction
with construction. Once completed, the City will
use GIS asset mapping data to help develop an
asset management system.
City of Gainesville, Georgia:
As part of a watershed-wide water quality plan
designed to protect northern Georgia's drinking
water sources, Gainesville used CWSRF funds to
expand two water reclamation facilities. By com-
bining biological activated sludge treatment and
energy efficient membrane filtration for enhanced
nutrient removal, the plants will reduce the pol-
lutant load to the local watershed by more than
1.5 million pounds annually.
Brunswick County, North Carolina:
Brunswick County used a S30 million CWSRF
loan to construct a tertiary treatment water rec-
lamation facility and create a regional wastewater
collection and treatment system. The regional
wastewater system produces reuse quality water,
which is then applied to silvicultural areas and
several local golf courses. The project utilizes a
regional management approach to encouraging
efficient water use and protecting North Caroli-
na's coastal environments.
Lexington County, South Carolina:
Lexington County received a CWSRF loan to
replace 26 septic tanks in a local subdivision with
a public sewer connection in the Town of Chapin.
The tanks had been deemed inadequate due to
high water tables and improper maintenance. By
replacing these septic tanks Lexington County
addressed potential health and groundwater
contamination hazards. This project was done in
conjunction with a DWSRF project to connect
the subdivision's failing drinking water system to
Chapin's system.
REGION 5
Fox Metro Water Reclamation
District, Illinois:
This project used CWSRF funds for wastewater
treatment plant process improvements. These
include adding a sludge-to-sludge heat exchange
system to reduce energy costs and the installa-
tion of a sludge dryer to reduce the volume of
dewatered sludge produced. These improvements
eliminated the need to construct additional
sludge storage facilities and increased the ef-
ficiency of plant operations.
City of Peru, Indiana:
Using CWSRF funds, the City of Peru upgraded
its wastewater treatment plant to convert the ex-
isting anaerobic digestion process to an aerobic/
anaerobic sequencing digestion and sludge-hold-
ing process. This innovative project has doubled
the average daily capacity of the plant and
increased peak flow fourfold, while significantly
reducing the amount of sludge produced. This
has reduced operational costs as Peru spends
less money to pump, haul, and land apply sludge.
The sludge that is now produced is cleaner and
better for the environment due to its reduced
levels of nitrogen.
Delhi Charter Township, Michigan:
Delhi Charter Township received a S9.85
million CWSRF loan to increase their wastewater
treatment plant's capacity for processing biosolids.
This project uses innovative technologies to cost
Clean Water
State Revolving Fund
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effectively produce biosolids suitable for direct
land application. The biosolids will be stabilized
through a process that produces methane gas,
and the captured methane will fuel two micro-
turbines that can generate up to 60 kilowatts of
electrical energy. This renewable source of onsite
electricity and heat production will save the
Township approximately S30,000 each year.
City of Le Center, Minnesota:
Le Center received a CWSRF loan to address
increasing industrial flow and phosphorus loads
in wastewater by expanding its treatment facility.
The City made a landmark deal with the largest
local producer of industrial flow, which agreed
to install an oil/water separator and monitoring
station if the City increased plant capacity to treat
the additional load. This partnership provided a
cost effective solution for the treatment of waste
and helped move the City to a full-cost wastewa-
ter fee model.
Madison Metropolitan Sewerage
District, Wisconsin:
The District used CWSRF funds to construct an
effluent force main to return treated wastewater
to the Sugar River basin to augment stream flows.
The S5 million project also involved the construc-
tion of public bike paths along the route of the
force main, allowing dual use of the easement.
This project utilized a watershed-based approach
to replenish the watershed and provide additional
recreational benefits to Madison residents.
City of Beebe, Arkansas:
Beebe used a CWSRF loan to restructure its
wastewater system, replacing several pump sta-
tions with gravity lines. The resulting drop in
operation and maintenance costs allowed the
system to implement a full-cost pricing structure.
These improvements demonstrate Beebes strong
commitment to best management practices and
cost-efficient wastewater systems.
Lafourche Sewer District No. 1,
Louisiana:
This project will increase the local wastewater
systems capacity and upgrade the plant to meet
advanced treatment criteria. The upgrades will
improve the water quality of the stream and al-
low for recreation, fish and wildlife propagation,
drinking water supply, and agricultural uses in
and along the waterway. The District is also plan-
ning to implement a full-cost wastewater fee plan.
Grand Lake Public Works Authority,
Oklahoma:
This project was implemented due to water qual-
ity concerns around Oklahoma's Grand Lake,
which is surrounded by state parks and is one
of the largest fresh water lakes in the U.S. A S3.5
million CWSRF loan was used to build a new
facility with secondary treatment capacity to re-
place a large number of residential septic systems.
Water from the new facility is used to irrigate the
local golf course, which has dramatically reduced
the amount of commercial fertilizer the golf
course uses.
City of Eagle Pass, Texas:
As part of a regional water and wastewater plan,
Eagle Pass expanded its treatment capacity in
order to treat waste from previously un-served
areas of Maverick County. Funded with an S f f. f
million CWSRF loan, the project included the
construction of sewage collection systems in
Colonias communities along the Texas-Mexico
border that are often without water and sewage
facilities. A water reuse program has also been
implemented to save water used in irrigation of
municipal areas. The result is improved public
health and a decrease in operation and mainte-
nance costs despite system expansion.
Charles City, Iowa:
Charles City received a CWSRF loan for the
expansion and upgrade of its existing water pollu-
tion control plant to address capacity needs. The
improvements were completed early and were
S400,000 under budget. Charles City, though only
7,800 in population, completes at least S50,000 in
replacement of sanitary sewer lines every other
year. The City does an excellent job of preparing
for regulatory requirements by planning for and
initiating system improvements before they are
required to do so.
City of Hutchinson, Kansas:
Hutchinson has committed to improving ground-
water quality by constructing a facility to pump
water from the local aquifer and treat it. A Sf 0
million CWSRF loan was used to fund the
numerous components of the water treatment
facility associated with groundwater contaminant
removal and wastewater disposal. This included
the construction of 25,000 feet of pipeline to
convey groundwater from extraction wells to the
treatment plant, and to move wastewater from
the plant to disposal wells. Hutchinson combined
2008 CWSRF PISCES Awards
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both CWSRF and DWSRF funds with local fi-
nancing to ensure this project contributes to their
watershed management goals.
REGION 8
City of Sioux Falls, South Dakota:
Sioux Falls was the first City to receive funding
through South Dakota's new CWSRF nonpoint
source incentive rate program, which rewards
wastewater and stormwater projects with a lower
interest rate for including a nonpoint source com-
ponent. CWSRF loans totaling approximately S57
million funded storm sewer improvements and
the construction of a new sanitary sewer, while si-
multaneously contributing over S4 million to cost
share best management practices for the Central
Big Sioux River Watershed Restoration project.
Town of Alpine, Wyoming:
The Town of Alpine utilized a CWSRF loan to
replace the existing wastewater treatment plant
with a new, larger wastewater treatment facil-
ity and a new sewage collection system. The
project addressed concerns with the inadequate
construction and failure of several local septic
systems. The result is improved groundwater and
surface water protection.
REGION 9
Town of Prescott Valley, Arizona:
Prescott Valley converted underused oxida-
tion ditches at its wastewater treatment plant to
activated sludge processors and replaced existing
sand filters with cloth disk filters, thereby increas-
ing the plants capacity and increasing the quality
of the effluent. The Town has begun to sell this
effluent at auction, and the proceeds will be used
to finance a drinking water pipeline project.
Orange County Water District,
California:
The District is using SI62.9 million in CWSRF
funds to implement a groundwater replenish-
ment system, the largest indirect potable reuse
project of its kind in the world. Highly treated
wastewater will be pumped to recharge basins
where it will percolate into the ground and blend
with the County's other sources of groundwater.
This innovative project will improve the quality
and reliability of the Orange County water while
increasing supply.
County of Hawaii, Hawaii:
The County used a CWSRF loan as match for a
Federal SAAP grant awarded for the protection
Orange County Water Districts Groundwater Replenishment System.
of groundwater and surface water resources.
The project replaced existing cesspools at publicly
owned facilities with onsite wastewater systems.
County facilitation allowed the project to address
the needs of multiple partners including several
small, private wastewater systems that otherwise
would have found it difficult to obtain SRF
funding.
REGION 10
Eastern Idaho Regional Wastewater
Authority, Idaho:
Designed to protect groundwater in the Upper
Snake River Plain Aquifer, this project connects
four cities in two counties to a modern waste-
water treatment facility. The multi-jurisdictional
effort included the creation of a long-range
plan to coordinate development and to protect
groundwater and surface water. Effluent from
the treatment facility will be supplied to a local
manufacturing company for reuse, and unused
effluent will be treated so as to allow for discharge
into the Snake River.
Community of Rieth, Umatilla County,
Oregon:
A community of 150 people, Rieth's economic
viability and environmental integrity were being
threatened by the lack of wastewater treatment
facilities in the community. A S330,000 CWSRF
loan was used to fund the construction of a new
collection system, pump and sewer line that now
moves Rieth's wastewater to the nearby City of
Pendleton's sewer system. The project has signifi-
cantly improved quality of life for the residents
of Rieth.
Clean Water
State Revolving Fund
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2008 CWSRF PISCES Awards
Office of Water EPA 832-F-08-062 October 2008 • www.epa.gov/owm/cwfinance/cwsrf
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