Chattanooga receives 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, TML is proud to present the city of Chattanooga with an award for Excellence in Energy Efficiency and Conservation. The award will be presented Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025, at the 85th Annual Conference of the Tennessee Municipal League (TML) held at the Chattanooga Convention Center. 

As trees and native plants are important to stormwater management, the Chattanooga Public Works Department has partnered with the city’s Forestry Department and the Natural Resources Division of the Parks and Outdoors Department to pass a new tree ordinance.  

The city, public works department, Chattanooga EPB, and Reflection Riding also worked together to receive a $6 million grant to increase tree canopy in disadvantaged neighborhoods. This will also bring down core neighborhood temperatures and improve health care outcomes as well as decrease energy usage in the community.   

The public works department also started an anti-litter campaign to remove trash and debris from local waterways. The floating litter booms on Chattanooga Creek have kept more than 2.6 tons of trash out of the Tennessee River since May 2023.   

To get citizens involved, the city of Chattanooga has created two programs that provide both residents and businesses owners with the opportunity to aid in stormwater mitigation. Educational resources and financial incentives for the use of native plants, rain gardens, rain barrels, and other eco-friendly practices are available to homeowners through the RainSmart Yards and Rewards program and non-residential landowners through the Green Grants program.   

Technology has also been employed to allow both public works and emergency responders to arrive on scenes more quickly and protect citizens. With flash flooding being the deadliest type of flooding, the city’s new Automated Flood Warning System instantly closes flood-prone streets to traffic, preventing people from crossing dangerous roadways.   

The automated gate system includes flashing lights on either side of the high-water area and allows real-time data collection, analysis and management as well as alarm and notification that gates have been closed. Prior to this system, public works employees were often put at risk having to manually put in barriers, often in the dark or after hours.   

Data gathered at the site is also helping the city better understand issues related to flooding as well as forecasting where responses may need to be concentrated during flood events.   

Beyond amazing work on stormwater and water quality, the Chattanooga Public Works Department has renewed its American Public Works Association (APWA) accreditation, one of only two in the state and 147 in the country to receive this national designation.   

Each year the Tennessee Municipal League honors cities throughout the state for overall excellence, improvement, specific outstanding programs, or department accomplishments. Award winners for 2025 include Chattanooga for Excellence in Energy Efficiency and Conservation; Cleveland for Excellence in Economic and Community Development; Farragut for Excellence in Innovation; Franklin for Excellence in Fire Services; Gatlinburg for Excellence in Municipal Governance; Greeneville for Excellence in Parks and Recreation; Jackson for Excellence in Police Services; Kingsport for Excellence in Economic and Community Development; and Pulaski for Small City Progress.