(Kansas City, Mo.) – KC Water’s program that teaches students about water quality earned another national award. And, a project that helps manage stormwater also earned a trophy from a national organization.
Lisa Treese, Landscape Architect, and Lara Isch, Water Quality Educator, recently accepted awards on behalf of KC Water from the National Association of Flood and Stormwater Management Agencies (NAFSMA) at its annual conference.
Out of 53 award submissions, KC Water’s water quality curriculum, Journey of Stormwater: From KC to the Sea took first place in the Excellence in Communications “Improving Water Quality” category. The Middle Blue Green Solutions Pilot Project took 2nd place in the Green Infrastructure Category for Large Population Cities.
NAFSMA’s annual Green Infrastructure Awards program rates projects based on their environmental and economic impact, outreach efforts, results, and maintenance (monitoring, upkeep, costs and reporting).
The Excellence in Communications award program recognizes organizations that excel in the categories of “Public Awareness of Flooding and/or Flood Prevention and/or Emergency Preparedness” and “Improving Water Quality.”
Both awards programs are open to all public agencies as well as private firms working with a public agency on a green infrastructure project or on communications efforts.
Journey of Stormwater: From KC to the Sea is a national award-winning curriculum that introduces students to stormwater runoff, water pollution, and what happens to water after it washes down the drain. For more information, please visit www.kcwaterservices.org/kc-to-the-sea.
The Middle Blue Green Solutions Pilot Project uses Green Infrastructure to provide distributed stormwater storage for 100-acres of the Middle Blue River watershed located in the Marlborough neighborhood. The project consists of improvements including rain gardens, bioretention ponds, porous concrete sidewalks, and permeable paver sidewalks. It reduces the risk and frequency of combined sewer overflows and basement backups during small but more frequent rain events.
Lara Isch, Water Quality Educator, accepting the Excellence in Communications “Improving Water Quality” award.
Lisa Treese, Landscape Architect, accepting the Green Infrastructure for Large Population Cities award.
For more information, please contact Brooke Givens, Media Relations Coordinator, at brooke.givens@kcmo.org or 816.513.0284.
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KC Water maintains and operates water treatment and distribution systems, stormwater management systems, and wastewater collection and treatment systems for residential and business customers in Kansas City and for wholesale customers in the Kansas City area. KC Water is primarily funded by fees charged to customers based on their use or impacts on the three utility systems.
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