Aaron Gress Site
ESSI — Environmentally Sustainable, Social Infrastructure
Certification Program

Empowering
Equitable
Infrastructure

ESSI is a LEED-style certification that recognizes infrastructure projects delivering both environmental sustainability and social equity — especially in underserved communities.

Apply for Certification Learn More
$1.3T
U.S. water infrastructure investment needed
2M+
Americans without safe running water or plumbing
9%
Federal share of water infrastructure spending today, down from 63% in 1977
4
Certification tiers: Bronze, Silver, Gold & Platinum
What is ESSI?

A Trusted Standard for Infrastructure That Delivers

ESSI is a certification program recognizing infrastructure projects that deliver both environmental and social benefit — especially in underserved communities. Think of it as a LEED-style seal of approval for projects that build not just sustainably, but equitably.

As public funding shrinks, ESSI fills the gap by certifying and promoting projects that attract private, philanthropic, and blended financing — with a strong equity and sustainability lens.

See Certification Tiers
Certification Criteria
💧
Equitable Funding
5–20%+ of total capital investment directed to underserved communities
🌱
Environmental Sustainability
Meets LEED, Envision, or equivalent certification standards
🤝
Social Impact & Equity
Safe water, local hiring, affordability, community engagement
📋
Project Delivery
Milestones from planning through long-term operational benefit
How It Works

Four Certification Tiers

🥉
Bronze
5–9% Allocated
Project funded, planning initiated
Funding committed
Bronze +
Funding committed
LEED / Sustainability goals met
🥈
Silver
10–14% Allocated
Project construction started
Funding committed
Silver +
Funding committed
LEED / Sustainability goals met
🥇
Gold
15–20% Allocated
Project built & operational
Funding committed
Gold +
Funding committed
LEED / Sustainability goals met
💎
Platinum
20%+ Allocated
Fully operational & long-term community benefit demonstrated
Funding committed
LEED / Sustainability goals met
Social impact requirements met
✦ New Program
ESSI Catalyst Certificate

Certified Planning & Design Projects That Advance Equitable Infrastructure

Not every project is under construction yet — but planning and design work is where equitable outcomes are decided. The ESSI Catalyst Certificate recognizes agencies and project sponsors who embed equity funding directly into their planning budgets.

By rolling a standard 10% contingency (or a dedicated ESSI Contingency line item) into a certified planning or design project, those funds flow into the ESSI General Fund — seeding construction-ready projects in communities that need it most.

📐
Plan or Design Your Project
Any city, agency, or utility with an active planning or design scope is eligible to apply for Catalyst certification.
💰
Include an ESSI Contingency
Designate ~10% of your project budget as a Contingency or ESSI Contingency. These funds are directed to the ESSI General Fund upon certification.
🌱
Earn Your Catalyst Certificate
Receive recognition as an ESSI Catalyst — a certified planning leader advancing equitable infrastructure before a shovel hits the ground.
Apply for Catalyst Certificate
Example Catalyst Funding Flow
Planning / Design Project
Total Budget $1,000,000 · ESSI Contingency (10%)
$100,000
↓
ESSI General Fund
Pooled contributions from all Catalyst-certified projects
✦
↓
Underserved Community Projects
Construction-ready projects that need funding to move forward
Funded
Planning contingencies pool into a general fund that seeds community construction projects
Benefits of Certification

Why ESSI Certification Matters

📈
Build Investor Confidence
ESSI provides independent validation of technical feasibility, sustainability, and community benefit — giving impact investors and ESG funds the clarity they need to commit capital.
🏛️
ESG & CSR Alignment
Companies and financial institutions with ESG commitments can directly fund ESSI-certified projects, fulfilling social impact targets with documented, measurable outcomes.
🌐
National Project Marketplace
ESSI-certified projects are listed on a national platform, connecting utilities and municipalities with philanthropists, investors, and agencies they could never reach alone.
🤲
Attract Philanthropic Capital
Foundations can direct grants where they matter most. ESSI certification assures funders that a project is implementation-ready and addresses genuine community need.
💡
Better Project Design
Following ESSI guidelines ensures sustainability and equity are built in from the start — reducing long-term costs, improving resilience, and making projects more fundable.
⚡
Unlock Blended Finance
ESSI enables public-private financing combinations — philanthropic seed capital can leverage state revolving funds, green bonds, and new federal dollars at scale.
Funding Mechanism

How the Model Works in Practice

A large capital project sets aside an equitable infrastructure contribution — typically 10% of total cost — which is channeled directly to a disadvantaged community project that meets all ESSI funding goals.

This creates a virtuous cycle: large projects gain certification and market visibility, while smaller underserved communities receive targeted investment they otherwise couldn't access.

Example Project Funding Mechanism
Project 1 — Large Capital Project
Total Cost $5,000,000 · Equitable Funding (10%)
$500,000
↓
ESSI Certified Equitable Infrastructure Project
Total Project Cost $5,500,000
✓
↓
Project 2 — Disadvantaged Community
Project Cost $500,000 · Meets all ESSI funding goals
$500,000
Equitable infrastructure funding flows from large certified projects to underserved communities
For Agencies & Communities

Does Your Project Need Funding?

ESSI isn't just for well-capitalized projects seeking certification — it's also a pathway for under-resourced cities, utilities, and communities to connect with the funding they need to build critical infrastructure.

If your community has an infrastructure need but lacks the capital to move forward, ESSI can connect you with the network of Catalyst and certified project funds, philanthropic capital, and blended finance programs designed to fill exactly that gap.

A full project marketplace for communities seeking funding is coming soon. In the meantime, reach out directly — we want to hear about your project.

Tell Us About Your Project
Who This Is For
Communities and agencies with infrastructure needs who are ready to be connected with funding sources.
Small cities & rural municipalities with aging water infrastructure
Tribal nations and historically underserved communities
Agencies with shovel-ready projects lacking capital
Utilities seeking blended finance & philanthropic partnerships
Communities navigating environmental justice challenges
Contact ESSI Team
Get Started

Ready to Certify Your Project?

Join utilities, municipalities, and project sponsors across the country pursuing ESSI certification to attract funding, demonstrate impact, and build equitable infrastructure.

1
Submit Your Project
Provide project details, funding structure, and community impact data through our intake process.
2
Third-Party Review
Experts in water engineering, public health, and community development evaluate your project against ESSI criteria.
3
Earn Certification
Receive your Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum designation and gain access to the ESSI project marketplace.
4
Connect with Funders
Your certified project is listed nationally, connecting you with investors, philanthropists, and grant programs.
Send a Message

Tell Us About Your Project

We'll respond within one business day.

Or reach us directly
+1 (559) 679-2986 agress@essieng.com
✓ Thank you! We'll be in touch within one business day.