Page 8 - Sept-Oct 2025 Vol 43 No 4

CHATTANOOGA Provided by Tennessee Municipal League
TML 2025 Achievement Awards

Chattanooga Receives
Tennessee Municipal League
Award for Excellence in
Energy Efficiency and
Conservation

Several departments within the city
of Chattanooga have worked together to
improve the city’s storm water system,
resulting in decreased flooding risks,
improving water quality, and becoming
a national model for tackling stormwater
issues.
For a citywide approach to mitigating
flood risk while improving local waterways
and watersheds, the Tennessee Municipal
League (TML) was proud to present
the city of Chattanooga with an award Chattanooga Public Works employees work to remove debris after recent flooding. The Public Works
for Excellence in Energy Efficiency and Department has been instrumental in projects that ensure the city is both flood aware and that protect
Conservation. The award was presented residents from flooding dangers. Citizens also have been involved in these projects to reduce flooding risk
Aug. 5, 2025, at TML’s 85th Annual and beautify their community.
Conference, held at the Chattanooga
Convention Center. are available to homeowners through the (APWA) accreditation, one of only two in
As trees and native plants are important RainSmart Yards and Rewards program the state (and 147 in the country) to receive
to stormwater management, the and non-residential landowners through this national designation.
Chattanooga Public Works Department the Green Grants program.
has partnered with the city’s Forestry Technology also has been employed to Farragut Receives Tennessee
Department and the Natural Resources allow both public works and emergency Municipal League’s
Division of the Parks and Outdoors responders to arrive on scenes more
Department to pass a new tree ordinance. quickly to protect citizens. With flash Innovation Award
The city, Public Works department, flooding being the deadliest type of With a growing population and
Chattanooga EPB, and Reflection Riding flooding, the city’s new Automated Flood amenities that attract visitors from
also worked together to receive a $6 Warning System instantly closes flood- surrounding areas, the town of Farragut
million grant to increase tree canopy prone streets to traffic, preventing people utilized technology to solve traffic
in disadvantaged neighborhoods. This from crossing dangerous roadways. congestion and related pollution issues.
also will bring down core neighborhood The automated gate system includes For the effort put forth by city officials
temperatures and improve healthcare flashing lights on either side of the high- to mitigate an important issue and
outcomes, as well as decrease energy usage water area and allows real-time data improve the quality of life for their
in the community. collection, analysis and management as growing community, the Tennessee
The Public Works department also well as alarm and notification that gates Municipal League (TML) is proud to
started an anti-litter campaign to remove have been closed. Prior to this system, present the town of Farragut with an
trash and debris from local waterways. The Public Works employees often were put Excellence in Innovation Award. The
floating litter booms on Chattanooga Creek at risk having to manually put in barriers, award was presented Aug. 5, 2025, at
have kept more than 2.6 tons of trash out of often in the dark or after hours. TML’s 85th Annual Conference, held at the
the Tennessee River since May 2023. Data gathered at the site also is helping Chattanooga Convention Center.
To get citizens involved, the city of the city better understand issues related Farragut’s population has averaged an
Chattanooga created two programs that to flooding, as well as forecasting where increase of around 20% each decade since
provide both residents and businesses responses may need to be concentrated the 1990s, with many commuters passing
owners with the opportunity to aid in during flood events. through the town on their way to and from
stormwater mitigation. Educational Beyond amazing work on stormwater Knoxville. This commuter traffic often
resources and financial incentives for the and water quality, the Chattanooga coincides with drop-off times at the town’s
use of native plants, rain gardens, rain Public Works Department has renewed four public schools, all within 1.4 miles of
barrels, and other eco-friendly practices its American Public Works Association the town center.

8 TPW September/October 2025