CALL FOR STORMWATER BMP PROJECTS*

*Eligibility limited to projects implemented between 2007 and 2009 and in the Five Southeastern Pennsylvania Counties (Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia).

The Stormwater BMP Recognition Program
The Philadelphia Water Department Office of Watershed (PWD) initiated the Stormwater BMP Recognition Program in 2006 to recognize innovative stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs) in the southeastern region of Pennsylvania. This year the PWD is partnering with the Temple - Villanova Sustainable Stormwater Initiative (T-VSSI) and they are awarding the best projects in the following categories:

• BMP Operations (e.g., monitoring, inspection or maintenance)

• Retrofit to an existing stormwater facility

• New BMP

Within these three categories, awards will be given to one project implemented by each of the following types of organizations (a maximum of 15 awards):

• Government

• Public (e.g., homeowner association, community group, etc.)

• Private (e.g., developer, landscape architecture firm, engineering firm, etc.

• Education (e.g., K-12, environmental education center, etc.)

• University

Each project must demonstrate in its project description that it meets at least two of the evaluation criteria:

• Water Quality Improvement 

• Stormwater Runoff Reduction

• Erosion Reduction 

• Velocity Reduction

• Ecological Restoration 

• Use of Native Species

• Monitoring, Inspection or Maintenance Protocol     

In addition, if applicable, within the project description describe how the BMP fits into an environmental education program and/or furthers environmental learning for the general public.        

More About The Award…
All winners will be notified by e-mail and will be required to prepare a poster for display during the PA Stromwater Management Symposium’s poster session. In addition, winners will receive:

• One free admission to the 2009 PA Stormwater Management Symposium held at Villanova University on October 14 and 15, 2009.

• Invitation to attend the awards ceremony at the PA Stormwater Management Symposium.

• A certificate award from top officials of the DEP and/or PWD.

• Region-wide media attention through various outlets.

Submit a BMP Project
To become eligible for the Stormwater BMP Recognition Program award, submit your BMP project before July31, 2009 by clicking on this link:  BMP Project Submission Form.  By submitting a project you agree to it being published, whether or not selected for an award, in the T-VSSI database, an online database of notable stormwater BMPs in Southeastern Pennsylvania. 

2009 PA Stormwater Management Symposium

For more information on the 2009 PA Stormwater Management Symposium to be held at Villanova University on October 14 and15, please visit the Villanova Urban Stormwater Partnership website.

About the Stormwater BMP Recognition Program Partners

Philadelphia Water Department Office of Watersheds

The Philadelphia Water Department Office of Watersheds' vision, "Green Cities ~ Clean Waters," refers to the City uniting with its water environment, creating a green legacy for future generations while incorporating a balance between ecology, economics, and equity. The mission of the Office of Watersheds is to preserve and enhance the health of the region's watersheds through effective wastewater and storm water services and the adoption of a comprehensive watershed management approach that achieves a sensible balance between cost and environmental benefit and is based on planning and acting in partnership with other regional stakeholders.

Temple-Villanova Sustainable Stormwater Initiative

The Temple-Villanova Sustainable Stormwater Initiative (T-VSSI) is a partnership of the two university’s research programs the Center for Sustainable Communities and the Villanova Urban Stormwater Partnership. The T-VSSI is funded by grants from the William Penn Foundation and PA DEP Growing Greener. The T-VSSI is envisioned as a long-term partnership that will combine the strengths of both research centers creating an interdisciplinary organization to demonstrate best management practices, to conduct research and to conduct a broad outreach program focusing on southeastern Pennsylvania.