Posted Sunday, April 29, 2012 --- 1:29 p.m.

MILWAUKEE (AP) -- A Milwaukee governmental agency that treats wastewater has received a national award for its work in water sustainability.

The Clean Water America Alliance presented six organizations throughout the nation with the 2012 U.S. Water Prize this month.

The Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District received the award for embracing innovation and collaboration to reduce pollution throughout the 411 square mile metropolitan watershed.

The Clean Water America Alliance noted the district is pursuing a pilot project for watershed-based permitting within watersheds of two rivers, among other things.

The other organizations honored included PepsiCo Frito-Lay for instilling a corporate culture of water conservation and San Francisco Public Utilities Commission for helping reduce urban storm water problems. The others were the Philadelphia Water Department, Project Wet Foundation, and Salmon Falls Watershed Collaborative.

Copyright 2012. The Associated Press.