Keaton PetersInnovative water infrastructure projects across the country are being celebrated by the federal government. The Environmental Protection Agency has recognized 38 water projects for excellence and innovation in drinking water and wastewater management. The projects, representing more than $244 billion in financial assistance through the agency’s State Revolving Fund (SRF) programs, were celebrated at the 2025 Council of Infrastructure Financing Authorities Summit on Water Infrastructure.
These infrastructure investments are part of the EPA’s Powering the Great American Comeback Initiative, which emphasizes clean air, land and water accessibility through federal-state partnerships. The recognized projects demonstrate creative approaches to financing, community engagement and environmental protection while addressing critical water infrastructure needs.
As aging water systems face mounting challenges from climate change, population growth and contamination, these innovative approaches to water infrastructure development showcase how strategic federal investment can generate substantial public health and economic benefits. The SRF programs have become a cornerstone of the nation’s strategy to ensure safe drinking water and effective wastewater management while keeping utility costs affordable.
Among the 16 drinking water projects is New Hampshire’s Merrimack Village District project. The district, which serves 25,000 residents, tackled PFAS contamination in four community wells through a complex $14.5 million financing package that combined a $6.5 million DWSRF loan, a $6.26 million New Hampshire Drinking Water and Groundwater Trust Fund loan and additional grant funding. The district later refinanced these loans through New Hampshire’s PFAS Remediation Loan Fund, which provides up to 50% principal forgiveness using funds from settlements with PFAS manufacturers—significantly reducing costs for ratepayers.
California’s Stanislaus Regional Water Authority received recognition for excellence in system partnerships for its collaborative approach to water supply challenges. The cities of Turlock and Ceres, with more than 110,000 residents combined, formed a joint authority to address diminishing groundwater quality contaminated with arsenic, nitrate, uranium and other chemicals. Their solution: a $184 million DWSRF-funded surface water treatment plant along the Tuolumne River, complemented by $30 million from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Proposition 68 Restoration Grant Program.
In New Jersey, Bloomfield Township earned the Excellence in Community Engagement Award for its comprehensive lead service replacement program. After discovering elevated lead levels in drinking water samples in 2019, the township secured a $3.31 million DWSRF loan with $2.55 million in principal forgiveness to replace nearly 800 lead service lines. Their approach extended beyond infrastructure, including public forums, free blood lead testing for residents, educational materials and school outreach programs to help protect the community’s most vulnerable populations.
In rural Fayette County, Texas, the Ellinger Sewer and Water Supply Corporation demonstrated excellence in creative solutions while serving just 203 residents. Facing an EPA Administrative Order to address arsenic levels exceeding federal standards, the small utility first attempted to drill new wells with an $863,000 USDA loan. When multiple attempts failed to find clean groundwater, they pivoted, securing an additional $1.4 million through the DWSRF program (with 45% principal forgiveness) to install an arsenic treatment system and replace aging storage infrastructure. Their persistence and strategic use of multiple funding sources ensured this small community now has reliable, safe drinking water.
The wastewater sector saw equally impressive innovation, though fewer details on specific projects were available. New York’s Chemung County Wastewater Treatment Plant Consolidation project was honored for excellence in innovative financing, showcasing how strategic financial approaches can make large-scale infrastructure improvements possible.
Two projects shared the excellence in system partnerships recognition: Alabama’s Ardmore Wastewater Treatment Plant Renovations and Arkansas’s Bethel Heights Wastewater Regionalization with Springdale. Both demonstrated how collaborative approaches between communities can create more efficient and effective wastewater management systems.
Prince George’s County, Maryland, received praise for excellence in community engagement for its Urban Stormwater Retrofit Public-Private Partnership, which showcases how public-private cooperation can accelerate infrastructure improvements while engaging local stakeholders.
