2019 STREAM Awards for Programs and Projects of Excellence
To recognize the achievements of the Metro Water District utilities, local governments and authorities, the District created the STREAM Awards for Programs and Projects of Excellence in 2016.
The 2019 STREAM Award for Implementing Best Climate Resiliency Plans & Strategies will celebrate the water and wastewater providers in our region that have gone above and beyond the base requirements of the Water Resource Management Plan. This year, the criteria will focus on the climate resiliency actions recommended in the 2015 Utility Climate Resiliency Study, as implemented through in the Integrated-2 and Integrated-4 Action Items.
The climate resiliency elements of a water supply and wastewater program are designed to be adaptive to and mitigate the impacts of extreme weather events. In the 2017 update of the Water Resources Management Plan, we included opportunities and resources for implementation of these action items, including the Metro Water District’s 2015 Utility Climate Resiliency Study and EPA’s Water Resilience trainings and tools. Adoption of new master plans is not required to qualify for the award, only implementing plans and strategies associated with recommended preemptive climate adaptation measures (Table 5.3.9).
We invite you to share with us how your community has implemented the recommended preemptive climate adaptation measures within the climate resiliency subtasks of Integrated-2 and Integrated-4. Utilities, water authorities, and local governments that manage water supply and wastewater treatment are encouraged to apply. Applications will be due Friday, July 26, 2019. The winners of the 2019 STREAM Awards will be presented at the Governing Board Meeting on August 28, 2019.
The 2019 Stream Awards will be presented to one water supplier and one wastewater provider that has most creatively and successfully implemented one or more of the recommended preemptive climate adaptation measures of the 2015 Utility Climate Resiliency Study for Integrated-2 and Integrated-4 Action Items. Programs should exemplify the criteria of STREAM: implement SUSTAINABLE practices; THOUGHTFUL and innovative in design; REGIONAL in scale; actively ENGAGE the community; APPLICABLE to other communities; and provide MEASURED success.
We are looking forward to reading your applications. Thank you for all the great work you continue to do every day to move our region forward as a recognized leader in water resource management. If you have any questions or issues with the nomination form, contact kwaidhas@atlantaregional.com.
2018 STREAM Award Winners
Congratulations to City of Alpharetta and City of Atlanta, winners of the 2018 STREAM Award for Implementing Best Post-Construction Stormwater Management Practices. Cobb Water’s strategy was proactive and innovative. The staff started planning an implementation strategy long before the declaration was made when they realized conditions were worsening. They also prepared how to implement more difficult measures like pool cover requirements in the event of a Level 3 declaration.
Alpharetta was recognized for developing a stormwater management plan that accommodates new development in a way that also protects water quality. For example, the city requires developments which add 1,000 square feet or more of impervious surfaces to use low-impact measures to prevent run-off from the first inch of rainfall. The city also requires residential developments to set aside funds to build and maintain stormwater management systems.
Atlanta was recognized for being a regional leader in green infrastructure innovation. The city has developed a plan to incorporate “green infrastructure” into all city agencies and public-private projects, such as rain gardens, green roofs, and cisterns that slow or capture stormwater runoff. The city also requires projects which add or replace 500 square feet of impervious surface to reduce stormwater runoff.
We appreciate the efforts of all our local jurisdictions and utilities on implementing effective stormwater management practices.