*»EPA lV a DWSRF AQUARIUS Program 2019 Nomination Form AQUARIUS V" . -¦. >' • ~': ¦' Sv - .v '-¦¦• *M # =T\ -- ': lii*S '¦ <' . ¦-*¦-: •\ sS?: V .'¦* "* Ife2* u "t*. • "¦ • ' v ------- AQUARIUS 2019 Nomination Form Program Description The Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) is a $38 billion federal-state partnership dedicated to protecting America's public health. The program finances the construction and rehabilitation of critical drinking water infrastructure, along with public health-focused programs and activities across our nation. The DWSRF AQUARIUS program nationally recognizes DWSRF- funded projects for exceptional focus on sustainability and protection of public health. These projects are examples of the high level of innovation possible with the DWSRF. Nomination Process States may nominate one project and send the nomination form to their EPA Regional Office Coordinator. After review from the EPA Regional Office, the Region will send nominations to EPA Headquarters (HQ). A panel at EPA HQ will review submitted projects. Of the projects nominated, the panel will select one particularly noteworthy project from each Region to be designated as "Exceptional Projects" to receive further recognition. The "Exceptional Projects" will be announced by EPA Headquarters at the fall 2019 CIFA SRF Workshop. The materials will also be shared with all EPA Regional Offices to highlight excellent projects in their Region and across the country. 2019 AQUARIUS Program Timeline 2019 AQUARIUS Program kickoff and call for nominations. The project nomination form will be available on the EPA DWSRF website. November 18 July 1 April 24-26 June 7 Project nominations from states are due to their respective EPA Regional Office Coordinator. States fill out the attached form to nominate a project. Each state may nominate only one project. After review, Regions send the nominations AQUARIUS@epa.gov at EPA Headquarters by this date. to All recognized projects will be showcased in the 2019 AQUARIUS Compendium to be made available online. One "Exceptional Project" from each EPA Region will receive a plaque from the Director of the Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water. 2 ------- AQUARIUS 2019 Nomination Form AQUARIUS Evaluation Criteria States participating in this voluntary recognition program may nominate one DWSRF project during the 2019 round. All DWSRF projects are eligible for nomination if they have completed construction within the last two years. The project must meet three criteria: Safe Drinking Water Act compliance Financial integrity Public health benefits Additionally, each project must demonstrate leadership in at least one or more of the following areas: • Emerging contaminants; • Aging infrastructure; • Innovative financing; • Affordability; • Water loss control; • Efficient water and/or energy use; • Creative approach to project planning and implementation; or • Water system partnerships 3 ------- AQUARIUS 2019 Nomination Form Contact Information DWSRF State Program: DWSRF Point-of-Contact: Email Address: Project Information Project Name: Assistance Recipient: Location (city, state): DWSRF Funding Amount (include any additional subsidy): Any Co-funding (e.g. USDA, CDBG, etc.)? Please include co-funding source name: Date of Construction Completion: Project Description (no more than 100 words): Why was the project necessary (no more than 200 words)? (Describe the existing conditions that prompted the need for the project. If this project was proactive, what prompted that decision? If there were violations, from what regulations and for how long?): 4 ------- AQUARIUS 2019 Nomination Form Project Information, continued How did this project demonstrate leadership in one (or more) of the following areas: emerging contaminants, aging infrastructure, innovative financing, affordability, water loss control, efficient water and/or energy use, creative approach to project planning and implementation, and/ or water system partnerships?: Who was impacted? (e.g. How many people? Children? Disadvantaged community? Hospital or other critical infrastructure? Neighborhood with frequent water main breaks?): What are the outcomes and/or next steps? Please include 1-2 high resolution photos* with submission. Please submit photos relevant to the project that showcase as much of the project as possible. These may be used online or in other publications. 'NOTE: by submitting photo(s) with this nomination form, you agree to waive compensation and authorize the photo (s) to be used for informational, education, and/or public relations purposed both within the U.S. EPA and by the general public. You authorize disclosure and release ofthephoto(s) to the U.S. EPA. If you have additional questions about the AQUARIUS Recognition Program, please contact AQUARIUS@epa.gov. 5 ------- |