Through this prize competition, DOE sought novel, solutions from multidisciplinary teams to implement resource revovery at small- to medium-sized water resource recovery facilities.

By presenting cost-effective and innovative facility engineering solutions, competing teams helped the Department of Energy identify transformational technology and innovation that could double resource recovery and accelerate the transition from conventional wastewater treatment to a model of resource recovery from municipal wastewater across the United States.

Applications for participation were evaluated on demonstrated achievement of target recovery levels, with additional credit given for innovation and replicability. Beyond the cash prize, winners, and finalists had their plans published on a public-facing website to provide potential wastewater treatment recovery strategies that other wastewater treatment facilities might adopt.