In 2001, the SMRSA was recognized as a lead agency in the State of New Jersey for abating pollution and was cited by the United States Environmental Protection Agency as being the best Operated and Maintained Facility in its Region II.

In 2002, the Monmouth County Water Resources Association, (a County Environmental Organization), awarded SMRSA the Joseph C. Irwin Good Citizen Award for Exemplary Effort Demonstrating Civic Responsibility and Good Citizenship for our environmental efforts.

In 2009, recognizing the importance and value of employee health/safety and the significant component of workers compensation to its overall insurance expense, the Authority continues to stress employee safety and implemented numerous innovative practices and policies. As a result, the SMRSA earned an award for achievement in the prevention of occupational injuries by the State of New Jersey - Department of Workforce Development and was publicly recognized for the third consecutive year at the Governor's Annual Occupational Safety & Health Awards program.

Also in 2009, in recognition of SMRSA's efforts of adhering to strict comprehensive health and safety programs, the Authority was notified of its acceptance into the New Jersey Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP). Receiving the award was a confirmation from the regulatory community that SMRSA was a proactive health and safety employer taking all appropriate actions necessary to insure the continued safety and health of staff.  The SMRSA received public acknowledgement from several officials, including former Governor Jon S. Corzine. The SMRSA also obtained recognition from the Commissioners of Labor and Workforce Development and Health and Senior Services at an awards ceremony and received a plaque acknowledging the SHARP status.

The SMRSA received two AEA WAVE Achievement Awards; the first for being a proactive health and safety employer ensuring the continued health and safety of its staff, and the second for "thinking outside the box" in hiring a hearing impaired individual.

Accepting the AEA 2009 WAVE Achievement Award for Forward Thinking are from left to right, James P. Brennan, SMRSA Superintendant, Michael Mattia, Spring Lake Commissioner, Mary L. Burne, Wall Township Commissioner, and Michael J. Ruppel, SMRSA Executive Director.

In 2010, the Department of Labor and Workforce Development presented an award of merit to the Authority for working 80,360 hours without a lost time injury.