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News Releases from Region 05

EPA Recognizes the Indianapolis Airport Authority for Excellence and Innovation in Clean Water Infrastructure

11/18/2019
Contact Information: 
Francisco Arcaute (arcaute.francisco@epa.gov)
312-886-7613, 312-898-2042 cell

For Immediate Release No. 19-OPA119

INDIANAPOLIS (November 18, 2019) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognized the Indianapolis Airport Authority, Indianapolis, Ind., with a Performance and Innovation in the SRF Creating Environmental Success (PISCES) award for their stormwater and deicing capacity project, one of 30 clean water infrastructure projects honored for excellence and innovation within the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) programs. These exemplary projects showcase water quality improvements and public health protections that can be achieved when the federal government, states, municipalities and local utilities work together.

“The State Revolving Fund programs play a critical role in helping communities modernize aging infrastructure, create jobs, and protect public health and the environment,” said David Ross, Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Water. “These projects are making vital water quality improvements in communities across the country.”

EPA’s PISCES program celebrates innovation demonstrated by CWSRF programs and assistance recipients. Each participating program nominated an innovative project that improved water quality, provided public health or economic benefits; and/or encouraged sustainability in the marketplace.

“Today’s PISCES award acknowledges the efforts that the Indianapolis Airport Authority has made to update their infrastructure in order to protect water quality and human health,” said EPA Regional Administrator Cathy Stepp.

“The Indiana Finance Authority’s SRF is always excited by innovative solutions to the water quality issues faced by our state,” said Bill Harkins, Indiana SRF Program Director. “We are pleased to partner with the Indianapolis Airport Authority to implement stormwater and deicing runoff management improvements. 

The Indianapolis Airport Authority (IAA) collaborated with the Indiana State Revolving Fund Loan Program to fund a stormwater improvement project enhancing water quality treatment at Indianapolis International Airport.

A $30 million loan was used to install new stormwater and deicing runoff infrastructure that allows the expansion of impervious surface area for air carrier operations. Additional infrastructure improvements include the demolition of an undersized facility, construction of multiple storage structures, storm sewers, and pump stations.

The State Revolving Funds (SRF) are EPA-state partnerships that provide communities with a permanent, independent source of low-cost financing for a wide range of water quality and drinking water infrastructure projects. EPA’s SRFs have provided more than $170 billion in financial assistance to over 39,900 water quality infrastructure projects and 14,500 drinking water projects across the country. This year’s honored projects include large wastewater infrastructure upgrades, community driven green infrastructure development and the construction of new water treatment plants. Several projects also include lead service line replacement, furthering EPA’s goals to protect human health under the Federal Lead Action Plan. All of these projects highlight outstanding achievements in water quality improvement that benefit Americans from coast to coast.

To see the full list of 2019 PISCES recognized projects visit the EPA website: https://19january2021snapshot.epa.gov/cwsrf/pisces.

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