The Environmental Protection Agency recently congratulated 24 municipalities and industries for making outstanding and creative technological achievements in wastewater treatment and pollution abatement programs this past year.

These organizations are the recipients of the 2008 National Clean Water Act Recognition Awards. They were recognized for demonstrating outstanding water quality achievements for projects and programs in five award categories:

• Operations and maintenance
• Exemplary biosolids management
• Implementation and enforcement of local pretreatment programs
• Cost-effective stormwater controls, and
• Combined sewer overflow controls

“Keeping our nation’s water clean is a priority and communities are stepping up efforts to keep it that way,” EPA said.

The awards program is in its 23rd year. For a list of the winners, visit www.epa.gov/owm/mtb/intnet.htm.