2024 Award Winners

The Town of Braintree collaborated with artist Trevor Roberts to create detailed, bilingual 3D cutaway illustrations that visually explain the town’s green stormwater infrastructure. These artworks, developed using site photos, construction plans, and Google Earth imagery, help residents understand how stormwater systems function underground. The illustrations are featured on public signage, mailers, social media, and educational materials, with space for English and Simplified Chinese text to reach a broader audience. The project has received positive feedback from the community and officials, and the town continues to use and expand this visual approach for ongoing public outreach and education.

DCR addressed the challenge of inspecting and cleaning over 8,000 catch basins by developing a data-driven asset management system. By integrating GIS data with historical inspection records, they created a dynamic ranking system that prioritizes basins for inspection and cleaning based on sediment levels and regulatory requirements. The system updates nightly and is visualized through ESRI Experience Builder, allowing for efficient resource allocation and real-time tracking of compliance with MS4 Permit standards. This targeted, adaptive approach has helped DCR meet annual inspection goals and serves as a model for other municipalities seeking to optimize stormwater maintenance.

To solve severe flooding in the Oxbow Road area, Lexington partnered with Environmental Partners to design a solution that combines wetland restoration, a vegetated retaining wall, and engineered drainage features like a culvert and weir. This integrated approach not only controls stormwater and prevents erosion but also enhances the local ecosystem and beautifies the neighborhood. The result is a functional, natural-looking landscape that addresses both environmental and community needs, demonstrating how infrastructure projects can blend utility with aesthetics.