The 2010 AMWA Platinum Awards for Utility Excellence were awarded to:
- Austin Water Utility
- City of Bellevue Utilities
- City of Boca Raton Utility Services
- El Paso Water Utilities
- City of Glendale Utilities
- Department of Utility Services, City of Henderson
- Newport News Waterworks
At Anaheim Public Utilities, investments in leadership, planning and infrastructure allow it to excel in the key areas of financial viability, water resource adequacy and operational resiliency. Bond rating agencies upgraded the utility’s bonds into an elite class of only a few Southern California utilities. As the result of foresight in protecting water resources, Anaheim's population grew by 31 percent in the past 20 years, but water use decreased by three percent. The utility invests in public education, conservation programs and developing local supplies to avoid mandatory water restrictions. A Class 1 rating from California’s Insurance Services Office demonstrates the reliability of Anaheim’s water production and distribution infrastructure.
Louisville Water Company (LWC) sold $202.9 million in bonds in 2009 to fund its capital program through 2013. Standard & Poor’s upgraded the utility’s bond rating, citing its strong financial operations, its large and diverse service area and its comprehensive capital planning. According to S&P, the rating places LWC in the top eight percent of the 900 water and sewer utilities it rates. The company’s leadership team is actively involved in serving community organizations, and last year employees donated more than 4,800 hours to community service. In addition, LWC’s education programs reached students in nearly 100 schools last year.
Palm Bay Utilities Department’s Environmental Management System is known as GreenWay, and the Department was the first water and wastewater utility in the state of Florida to receive certification under the internationally recognized ISO 14001:2004 environmental standard. The department achieved a 31 percent reduction in energy use for its water treatment plants from the base year of 2007 through the first quarter of 2010. The utility has been recognized recently with a number of state and regional awards, including the 2010 Outstanding Membrane Plant Award, 2009 Finalist for the Sustainable Florida Best Practice Award, the 2009 Plant Operation Excellence Award and the 2008 Water Distribution System Award.
San Antonio Water System’s 50-year Water Management Plan identifies water supply projects to provide reliable service as the community continues to grow. Its strategy includes setting precedents in conservation, recycling, water management and water quality programs. The utility has taken significant steps to optimize operations, upgrade and maintain infrastructure, and ensure that it is prepared to continue operations after any crisis. It strives to ensure that customers are satisfied with the quality of their water and that its staff is available to quickly handle any concerns. Recognizing that stakeholder support is essential, the utility communicates with ratepayers in a wide variety of venues to facilitate cooperation and understanding.
San Diego County Water Authority’s key strategy to enhance water reliability is to diversify its water supply portfolio. Bay-Delta pumping restrictions, along with three years of drought, led to reduced allocations from the Authority’s largest supplier. Supply reliability highlights include finishing major construction on the All-American Canal Lining Project, commencing construction on the San Vicente Dam Raise Project and supporting the development of additional local supplies, including desalination. The Authority’s Drought Management Plan outlined actions including aggressively promoting increased conservation and implementing a model set of water use restrictions to meet mandatory water savings targets.
The Western Virginia Water Authority is an example of the benefits of a regional entity to manage water and wastewater needs in a multi-jurisdictional area. By combining resources and gaining synergies for water supply and distribution, the Authority focuses on the management of assets, replacement or rehabilitation of failing water lines, reduction of water loss and operational expenses. Guided by a rate equalization plan that supports infrastructure maintenance and the creation of reserve funds, the Authority provides adequate funding for capital expenditures. Since it spans localities, multiple water resources can be managed in a manner that reduces the impact of droughts or other emergencies.