EPA Recognizes Excellence and Innovation in Florida Water Infrastructure Project

EPA Recognizes Excellence and Innovation in Florida Water Infrastructure Project 

NASSAU COUNTY, Florida (April 8, 2026) - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Assistant Administrator for Water Jessica Kramer recently recognized 48 water infrastructure projects for excellence and innovation, including two awards for the American Beach Water and Sewer district in Nassau County. These projects, financed in part by state revolving fund (SRF) programs, demonstrate the importance of water infrastructure for supporting healthy Americans and laying a foundation for economic prosperity.   

"Across the country, states are putting State Revolving Fund resources to work in ways that deliver real, lasting benefits for communities by modernizing aging systems, strengthening resilience, and ensuring families can rely on safe, clean water every day," said Kramer. "These projects show that when we pair federal investment with state leadership, we can protect human health, support local economies, and reach communities that have too often been left behind."

"The awards in the Southeast region prove that smaller communities can execute big ideas when it comes to improving water infrastructure," said EPA Regional Administrator Kevin McOmber. "I am thrilled to see communities utilizing the CWSRF and the DWSRF programs to strengthen their water utilities for the protection of human health and the environment."  

The Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) programs have provided a foundation of federal investment in water infrastructure for decades. The SRF programs directly support EPA's Powering the Great American Comeback Initiative, which emphasizes the need for clean air, land and water for every American and the importance of cooperative federalism.  

EPA's AQUARIUS program celebrates drinking water projects, financed in part by the DWSRFs, that are innovative, resilient and protective of public health. Twenty-two projects carried out by state or local governments and drinking water utilities were recognized by the 2026 AQUARIUS program, including the Excellence in Innovative Financing Award for American Beach Water and Sewer District in Nassau County.

In partnership with Nassau County, American Beach Water and Sewer District used a $1.32 million DWSRF loan plus two federal grants, as well as state and local funding, to build a centralized water and wastewater service that allowed them to deliver reliable, affordable drinking water and retire failing wells and septic systems. 

EPA's George F. Ames PISCES program celebrates innovation demonstrated by wastewater and stormwater projects financed by CWSRF programs. Twenty-six projects carried out by state or local governments, public utilities and private entities were recognized by the 2026 PISCES program, including the Community Engagement Award for the American Beach Water and Sewer District.

The American Beach Septic Tank Phase-Out Project began with 79 letters of commitment from residents indicating their willingness to replace their aging septic system with a connection to a new wastewater system. Residents voted in a straw ballot election to support a per lot fee up to $9,000 aspledged revenue for a construction loan.  

The project consists of 13,065 linear feet of gravity sewer and 2,300 linear feet of force main with lift stations to connect 96 parcels to central municipal service. Through $5.4 million in leveraged CWSRF funds, this project brought together eight different funding sources, totaling about $12 million, including state appropriations, a Rural Economic Development Initiative Grant, two legislative appropriations, special property assessments, and county and water management district funds.  Government partnerships and community engagement, including an advisory board of community representatives, helped bring this project to completion.

See the full lists of recognized projects and learn more about the AQUARIUSand PISCESprograms.

Background  

The SRF programs are EPA-state partnerships that provide communities with low-cost financing for a wide range of water quality and drinking water infrastructure projects. The SRFs have provided over $265 billion in financial assistance to more than 50,000 water quality infrastructure projects and 76,000 drinking water projects across the country.