**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**	Contact: Carolyn Peterson
October 26, 2009	202-331-2820
	peterson@amwa.net

Drinking Water Utilities Cited For Exceptional Performance

Naples, Fla. – The Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA) today honored nine public drinking water systems with its top utility management awards.  Six systems received Platinum Awards for Utility Excellence and three systems earned Gold Awards for Exceptional Utility Performance.  The awards, which were presented in ceremonies at AMWA’s Annual Meeting in Naples, recognize outstanding achievement in implementing the nationally recognized Attributes of Effectively Managed Utilities.

Winners of the 2009 AMWA Platinum Awards for Utility Excellence are:

City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management (Ga.)
Charleston Water System (S.C.)
Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department (Fla.)
Orlando Utilities Commission (Fla.)
City of Santa Rosa Utilities Department (Calif.)

Gold Awards for Exceptional Utility Performance were presented to:

Glendale Water and Power (Calif.)
City of Riverside Public Utilities Department (Calif.)
City of San Diego Public Utilities Department (Calif.)

“AMWA awards recognize the extraordinary performance of water agencies where management vision and employee commitment create a sustainable utility producing ample supplies of clean, safe drinking water,” said AMWA President Brian Ramaley, Director of Newport News Water Works.  “The communities served by these award winners should be proud of the accomplishments of their forward-thinking, exceptionally well-managed public utilities.”

The Attributes of Effectively Managed Utilities were developed by a panel of respected water and wastewater utility executives, commissioned by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, AMWA and other water industry associations.  The attributes they identified include: product quality, customer satisfaction, employee and leadership development, operational optimization, financial viability, infrastructure stability, operational resiliency, community sustainability, water resource adequacy, and stakeholder understanding and support.

Platinum Award Winners
The strategic plan at the City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management (DWM) is based on the Balanced Scorecard approach, which is predicated on an environmental scan.  The plan is long-term and comprehensive, as are other planning initiatives including its master plan, financial plan, capital improvement plan and regional plans.   DWM has instilled a culture of continual improvement and accountability.  Virtually all business processes and functions have been re-engineered and standard operating procedures, reports and controls have been documented for each one.  Asset management programs, as well as commitment to employee and community involvement, round out the Department’s approach to industry leadership.

Charleston Water System manages the majority of regulatory requirements through an Environmental Management System and continually improves operational efficiency using industry benchmark performance indicators.  Key elements used for continuous improvement include: certification under the ISO 14001 Standard for Environmental Management; Plan-Do-Check-Act methods coupled with problem solving techniques; systems for aligning employee performance goals with the strategic plan and providing associated pay incentives; a measurement and tracking system; statistical process control techniques to ensure the highest water quality; and workforce development systems for employee learning and development.

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California continues to be resilient in the face of difficult economic conditions, drought and regulatory restrictions.   Achievements include: managing capital projects that provide supply and delivery reliability and ensure water quality and stewardship; reinvesting a record amount in rehabilitation and repair of existing infrastructure; making continuous improvements in all aspects of its business to operate optimally; proactively maintaining emergency response and business continuity programs; developing a high performance workforce; and implementing “green” initiatives, including energy management, waste reduction and conservation incentives totaling $223 million. 

Management achievements at Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department include a “Governing for Results” ordinance that codifies the general principles of strategic planning, business planning and performance measurement.  The utility has also deployed an Active Strategy Enterprise performance management tool and the Sterling Performance Excellence Improvement Model to assist with continuous improvements and implemented an efficiency recognition program.  Comprehensive customer satisfaction surveys were conducted, approval of an annual Consumer Price Index rate increase was achieved, and automated meter reading was implemented.  The Department also reorganized to optimize operations and implemented a water use efficiency plan.

To ensure that it continues to provide high quality water for future generations, the Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC) navigates issues ranging from resource conservation and the development of alternative water sources, to advanced treatment requirements and the challenge of falling revenues, rising expenses and mounting capital demands.  OUC managers and support staff use integrated strategic business planning, metrics and customer feedback to guide decisions that maximize its financial resources and produce a sustainable flow of high quality, affordable water while achieving customer satisfaction.  OUC water utility employees are customer-focused teams, utilizing advanced GIS mapping integrated with real-time field data.

Through the use of strategic planning and by embracing the approaches identified in Attributes of Effectively Managed Utilities, the City of Santa Rosa Utilities Department made innovative and proactive decisions to position itself to continue to economically provide high quality water and service to its customers for years to come.  It implemented a Department-wide steering team to guide its strategic direction, conducted a city-wide reorganization of its engineering services to create a dedicated asset management section, invested in technology developments to integrate GID and CMMS systems, and obtained new field equipment to enhance efficiencies and productivity of its field operations.

Gold Award Winners
Glendale Water and Power’s proactive approach to water quality allows the utility to meet all standards, minimize chemical use and safeguard employee health.  The utility evaluates best practices in asset management and uses employee and plant performance measurements to focus resources. Three-year rate increases promote financial integrity, and a $50 million bond issue is funding projects including system-wide meter replacement and advanced metering infrastructure installation.  Glendale is also completing a six-year effort to upgrade electrical and mechanical components and has contracted services to geo-locate and remotely operate each valve and fire hydrant in its system.

The City of Riverside Public Utilities Department (RPU) has developed strong local partnerships that create new opportunities in water supply, conservation and watershed management while maximizing regional efficiencies.  Stakeholder support keeps RPU on track to becoming “green.”  Innovative projects have effectively isolated the utility from the ongoing statewide water crisis, and its recycled water project is expected to produce high quality irrigation water to meet nearly one-third of the system’s total water demand.  The city has also implemented an asset management program, which significantly reduces unaccounted for water.

Through programs such as Bid to Goal, the City of San Diego Public Utilities Department continually pursues initiatives that drive optimum performance and improve labor-management relationships by encouraging all employees to work together to achieve shared goals.  Environmental stewardship is valued, as evidenced by innovations that both preserve and restore the environment.  Product quality is assured through practices and procedures resulting in ISO 14001 certifications in all four of its operations divisions.  Consolidation of the business support divisions during FY09 resulted in staff reductions saving $2.7 million, and net savings throughout the water system between 1998 and 2008 totaled $161 million.