The 2014 StormTV Project recognizes videos of innovative stormwater practices, programs and products nationwide.
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The Water Environment Federation (WEF) today announced the winners of its 2014 StormTV Project competition. The contest is an effort to collect and share innovative stormwater videos and to recognize and highlight the work of stormwater professionals. Through the 2012, 2013, and 2014 competitions, WEF has collected more than 220 videos highlighting green infrastructure, manufactured treatment devices, stream restoration, public education and more. These have been submitted by nonprofit organizations, government entities, consulting firms and equipment manufacturers worldwide.
“There were many entries with very good presentation and content. It was a challenge to score these different videos,” said Laith Alfaqih, project manager with CH2M HILL and one of the contest judges. “The videos will be a great addition to the stormwater industry library. They have great information and experiences that many cities and communities will benefit from.”
The awards will be presented, along with a screening of the winning videos, in the Stormwater Pavilion Theater (Booth 8303) during WEFTEC® 2014 — WEF’s 87th Annual Technical Exhibition & Conference — next month in New Orleans, La. The Pavilion is part of the Stormwater Congress, which features technical programming, exhibits and networking opportunities for stormwater professionals. StormTV Project sessions will be held Sept. 29 and 30 at 2:00 pm.
This year, 25 expert judges rated more than 100 submitted videos based on innovation, message communication, visual appeal and quality, and content matter and relevance.
“This was a great opportunity for me to see all the terrific watershed management activities occurring around the country. The high-caliber of educational pieces for local dissemination was fantastic,” said Neal Shapiro, a supervisor with the City of Santa Monica Office of Sustainability and the Environment. “The information and types of solutions can be useful to other jurisdictions either just starting programs or looking for new ideas. From specifically-oriented educational programs to broad ones, our field is doing great work around the country.”
Despite the steep competition, judges selected the following winners in four categories.
Nonprofit and Government Programs
In the nonprofit and government programs category, Onondaga County took the lead with a video about its Save the Rain program. “We are very proud of Save the Rain, our award-winning green infrastructure program to manage stormwater, and this award will help us spread the word about how stormwater infrastructure can be an environmentally friendly solution,” said County Executive Joanie Mahoney.
Onondaga County’s Save the Rain Program is a comprehensive stormwater management plan intended to reduce pollution to Onondaga Lake and its tributaries. During wet weather events, heavy stormwater flows into local sewers can overload the system. Save the Rain applies green and innovative technologies to mitigate stormwater runoff and prevent combined sewer overflows (CSOs).
Public Education and Outreach Category
In the public education and outreach category, Think Blue Maine’s Ducky II Ad, a public service announcement (PSA) related to lawn care activities, won first place. Maine’s municipal separate storm sewer system community has used the video as part of a statewide media campaign that includes television and online advertising.
“Building on the success of Think Blue San Diego’s original rubber ducky PSA, our Devil Ducky ad was a collaborative effort by a number of partners to raise awareness of the homeowner’s role in keeping water clean,” said Jami Fitch, stormwater outreach manager for the Cumberland County Soil & Water Conservation District. “We all worked hard to ensure the message was clear, concise and encouraged action. We are proud of the finished product and delighted that the review committee enjoyed it as well!”
Equipment Category
WesTech Engineering, two-time winner in the equipment category of the StormTV Project, received first place this year for its video case study of the WWETCO FlexFilter™ being used for combined sewer overflow (CSO) treatment at the Springfield Wastewater Treatment Plant. The WWETCO FlexFilter uses compressible media to provide an innovative solution for CSO high-rate and high-performance treatment. It can be used to both treat stormwater and sewer overflows and to provide polishing of plant effluent, including nutrient removal for water reuse.
“WesTech is grateful to WEF for the opportunity to share this story on a grand scale. We’re especially pleased to have been part of the world-class team that made the Springfield High-Rate Treatment Facility project possible. We look forward to ensuring the continued success of this project and the positive impact it will have on the community,” said Jim Hanson, WesTech municipal sales manager and WWETCO president. “With its success, more communities will become familiar with the options they have for addressing their own stormwater challenges.”
For-Profit Projects Category
First place in the for-profit projects category was awarded to the City of Chattanooga, Andropogon Associates, Arcadis and the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport for a video about their stormwater management pilot project at Brainerd Road. The project was part of the City of Chattanooga’s effort to partner with stakeholders to implement the Rainwater Management Guide, a tool for developers and designers for meeting rainwater runoff standards and encouraging green infrastructure. As part of the partnership, private businesses and landowners agree to create public demonstration projects on their property and in turn receive design services.
According to Andropogon Associates the Brainerd Road project provides “a model for retrofitting entire city districts with an innovative green infrastructure system; one that reframes stormwater as a resource, not a problem, employing it to create value-added new development opportunities.”
Also check out part 1 of this video at http://bit.ly/BrainerdRd1.
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