WASHINGTON (September 18, 2024) -- Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the winners of its 11^th annual Campus RainWorks Challenge, a national competition that engages college students in the design of green infrastructure solutions that address stormwater pollution at their schools and in their communities. This year’s winning projects showcase the benefits of green infrastructure for environmental and public health protection, economic and business development, and resiliency to climate change.

“Stormwater runoff is one of the biggest sources of pollution affecting our waterways, and EPA’s Campus RainWorks program inspires students to assess local challenges and develop creative and comprehensive solutions using green infrastructure,” said Bruno Pigott, Acting EPA Assistant Administrator for Water. “Congratulations to this year’s winners and to all of the participants who developed innovative solutions to protect the environment and support stronger communities.”

Green infrastructure practices for stormwater management include green roofs, permeable materials, alternative designs for streets and buildings, trees, habitat conservation, rain gardens and rain harvesting systems. Utilizing these practices protects local waterways by treating rain where it falls and keeping polluted stormwater from entering sewer systems. Communities are increasingly using innovative green infrastructure to supplement or replace “gray” infrastructure such as pipes, tunnels and concrete channels. Green infrastructure reduces water pollution while increasing economic activity and neighborhood revitalization, job creation, energy savings and open space.

This year, 13 teams from across 10 states and 12 academic institutions competed in the Campus RainWorks Challenge with green infrastructure designs that not only treated and managed stormwater but also addressed problems like flood protection and improving pedestrian and bicycle connectivity.

This year’s winners are:

• University of Oregon (First Place Winner), Eugene, Oregon— The team’s entry, “Rainy Days, Nature’s Way: Embracing Stormwater and Play at the Village School,” integrated stormwater management and nature play into at a K-8 school through a co-design process with students and other state and local partners. The design included rain gardens, bioswales, a dry-creek infiltration trench and permeable material in play areas, and a school yard forest. The team effectively employed stormwater modeling tools and a design that adhered to local stormwater codes and policies. Watch the team’s video about their design.  
• Hobart and William Smith Colleges (Second Place Winner), Geneva, New York — The team’s entry, “Creating a Sustainable, Walkable Community for Odell’s Village and the HWS Campus,” emphasized reducing stormwater flow into Odell’s Pond, a campus stormwater retention pond, and preventing localized flooding of the Odell’s Village while improving the pedestrian experience. The team used the campus’s long-term master plan to meet other goals, such as utilizing space on campus more efficiently; restoring native plants; and providing more outdoor recreation and education opportunities.  The master plan also addressed stormwater permitting requirements, Americans with Disabilities Act compliance, and maintenance and implementation funding. Watch the team’s video about their design.

EPA is also pleased to recognize the University of California-Berkeley for honorable mention for “Green Gateways,” offering innovative flood management strategies for Strawberry Creek.

The first-place teams will receive a $30,000 student prize to be split among team members and a $5,000 faculty prize to support green infrastructure research and training. The second-place team will receive a $12,000 student prize and a $3,000 faculty prize.

Background

Stormwater runoff is a significant source of water pollution in America. Managing runoff remains a complex environmental challenge for communities across the country. EPA’s Campus RainWorks Challenge invites students and faculty members at colleges and universities to apply green infrastructure design principles, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and increase the use of green infrastructure on the nation’s college campuses.

Since 2012 nearly 850 teams have participated in the Campus RainWorks Challenge. View previous winners and teams, along with information on how to participate in and the deadline for the 12th RainWorks Challenge.