EPA Recognizes Excellence and Innovation in Ohio Water Infrastructure Program

EPA Recognizes Excellence and Innovation in Ohio Water Infrastructure Program

April 7, 2026

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Assistant Administrator for Water Jessica Kramer recognized 48 water infrastructure projects for excellence and innovation, including Ohio's Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. This award demonstrates the importance of water infrastructure for supporting healthy Americans and laying a foundation for economic prosperity.

"Ohio's commitment to protecting public health and ensuring safe, reliable drinking water for its communities is truly exemplary," said EPA Regional Administrator Anne Vogel. "By leveraging innovative approaches and maximizing the impact of the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, Ohio is setting a high standard for others to follow. This recognition reflects the dedication and collaboration of Ohio EPA and its partners to deliver measurable benefits and resilient water infrastructure statewide."

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 protect public health. EPA also recognized State Revolving Fund programs through the new State Excellence Recognition Program, which celebrates high-performing SRF programs that demonstrate outstanding financial and program management and effective delivery of assistance across both the CWSRF and DWSRF. In Ohio, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency was recognized for a Drinking Water State Revolving Fund State Excellence Award.

Ohio's Drinking Water State Revolving Fund couples record loan volume with a flexible set-aside program to accelerate the delivery of safe, reliable drinking water statewide. For four consecutive years, Ohio has committed over 100% of available DWSRF funds, generating more projects on the ground that provide public health and water quality benefits. In state fiscal year 2025, Ohio EPA's Division of Environmental and Financial Assistance signed 146 loans totaling $676.9 million, more than doubling their assistance from the prior year.

The combination of record loan delivery, hands-on project support, and nimble use of set-asides is delivering tangible public health and water quality benefits for communities across Ohio. This recognition indicates that the program exemplifies EPA's goals of performance and protection through the DWSRF, serves as a model that other states can learn from, and demonstrates sustained financial and programmatic stewardship that benefits residents and the environment.

See the full list 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.