Award Winners
Houston Water
2020 Platinum Award for Utility Excellence
Houston Water provides drinking water and wastewater services to 2.3 million customers. Planning for sustainable, long-term utilities that are more resilient to the effects of climate change and other stressors, it is developing a strategic plan with the city’s stormwater utility using a One Water approach. Its focus on asset management has helped to reduce operational costs and has allowed for development of a risk-based prioritization of preventive maintenance. It actively engages with stakeholders to meet or exceed expectations and has reduced its customer response time by 96,000 days, increasing customer satisfaction by 73 percent.
KC Water
2020 Sustainable Water Utility Management Award
KC Water implements sustainable management using green infrastructure solutions whenever possible as part of a 25-year, $5 billion program to mitigate adverse effects of its combined sewer system. The utility’s aggressive asset management program minimizes the cost and maximizes the benefit of infrastructure investments. KC Water relies on climate studies and other research to drive planning and execution of short-term operations and maintenance and long-term capital improvement programs, serving both immediate needs and generational impact. These initiatives have also saved treatment costs, delayed or avoided additional water and wastewater treatment expansion, and minimized risks to the water supply.
New York City Department of Environmental Protection
2020 Sustainable Water Utility Management Award
New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) achieved progress in a broad range of sustainability-related factors, including: receiving a 10-year filtration avoidance determination for drinking water from the EPA in 2017, building the largest green infrastructure program in the country with over 10,000 assets spread across the city, achieving Envision and LEED certifications for multiple projects, and launching innovative and impactful rate payer assistance programs. DEP approaches these achievements with triple bottom line thinking that assesses and seeks to maximize the utility’s priorities of protecting health and the environment, supporting its constituents and communities, and benefitting the economy.
Peace River Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority
2020 Sustainable Water Utility Management Award
Peace River Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority created a reliable, sustainable, and affordable water supply in southwest Florida and provides the infrastructure for business development and economic growth. Through partnerships the Authority invested in alternative water supply (AWS) and interconnecting the major water supply systems. The utility is a model in AWS development, implementing surface water storage by off-stream reservoirs and aquifer storage and recovery systems. Limiting water withdrawal to occur only during high flow periods provides the sustainability of the downstream estuary and Charlotte Harbor while meeting demands for public water supply.
Rochester Public Utilities
2020 Gold Award for Exceptional Utility Performance
Rochester Public Utilities (RPU) has no water debt obligations and provides one of the lowest water rates in Minnesota. Its investment in mobile technologies and other efficiencies has resulted in more time spent serving customers. Over the past few years, RPU has collaborated with Rochester Public Works to plan joint replacement projects of aging infrastructure. The capital improvement plan includes the top 20 highest risk score water main sections being replaced in the next five years. As part of its sustainability study with state agencies, RPU protects groundwater sources to ensure long-term supply of drinking water while maintaining its precious natural resources.
South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority
2020 Sustainable Water Utility Management Award
South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority (RWA) is focused on the long-term economic viability of its company, resources, and region. Periodic studies ensure its rates reflect the true cost of water and remain affordable. Internally generated funds finance the capital program and increase discretionary reserves. To preserve and protect the natural environment, RWA has robust land and water management programs, has reduced its energy use using renewable energy sources, and diverts hundreds of tons of treatment residuals from landfill disposal. Its education program provides free, hands-on programs to local schools, and its recreation program provides access to nine recreation areas.
Aurora Water
2019 Sustainable Water Utility Management Award
Aurora Water relies on a complex and cohesive system of conservation, reuse, and storage to ensure the community has the water it needs today and tomorrow. The utility has the highest reuse rate in Colorado due to its pioneering Prairie Waters system, which provides up to 10 million gallons per day, and returning high-quality water to the homes from which it came. Aurora Water is also actively acquiring additional water in a sustainable way, including working with agriculture on mutually beneficial methods to continue farming while meeting municipal needs, and innovative water purchases from industries such as gold mining, providing additional environmental benefits.
Beaufort-Jasper Water & Sewer Authority
2019 Sustainable Water Utility Management Award
The Beaufort-Jasper Water & Sewer Authority accelerated its galvanized/cast iron service line replacement program with a commitment of $8 million to fund full replacement. Other initiatives include enhanced call center metrics, new metering and bill-paying initiatives, increased workforce investment, as well as enhanced predictive maintenance and asset management strategies. The new $30 million Hardeeville Water Reclamation Facility expansion produces highly treated reclaimed water quality effluent. And, in 2018, the utility achieved more than one million safe work hours without an injury resulting in a lost workday as a result of compliance with its robust safety program. It previously won the Sustainable Water Utility Management Award in 2014.
Birmingham Water Works Board
2019 Sustainable Water Utility Management Award
The Birmingham Water Works Board’s Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) program is designed to encourage participation of HUB firms on construction projects and the acquisition of goods and services, with a goal of 30 percent participation. The utility uses drones to perform aerial inspections of tanks and property and monitor hydraulic flow and routes of the utility’s source waters. Solar-powered mixing systems in Lake Purdy and in drinking water storage tanks help minimize rate increases and the system’s carbon footprint. Its A World Without Water school program targets area fifth grade students to engage and excite them about the importance of water. The utility won its first AMWA sustainability award in 2015.
Chesterfield County Department of Utilities
2019 Sustainable Water Utility Management Award
The Chesterfield County Department of Utilities’ annual performance plan tracks over 100 annual and historic performance measures from every center within the department to align its goals and objectives. Competitive rates that adequately recover costs, provide for reserves, and prepare for future needs have put the department in a strong financial position, maintaining a triple AAA bond rating and ensuring financial stability. Its environmental management system has expanded to incorporate a health and safety component, and it strives to meet the needs of its growing community through innovative approaches to demand management, waste reduction, and overall process improvements. The utility won its initial sustainability award from AMWA in 2014.
City of Boca Raton Utility Services Department
2019 Sustainable Water Utility Management Award
At the City of Boca Raton Utility Services Department, reclaimed water is a sustainable resource that reduces use of the ocean outfall, recharges the aquifer, prevents salt water intrusion, and provides a cost-effective water source for irrigation. Over the past 10 years, public outreach and increased reclaimed water use led to a decrease in the per capita use of nearly 20 percent. The utility has a goal of reducing the use rate an additional five percent by 2025 through public outreach, particularly on landscape irrigation. It currently has 31 capital improvement projects for maintaining a high level of service and ensuring continued safe and sustainable infrastructure. The utility also won a sustainability award from AMWA in 2014.
City of Fort Worth Water Utility
2019 Platinum Award for Utility Excellence
The City of Fort Worth Water Utility meets customer expectations and operates efficiently because of its reorganized management structure and emphasis on organizational development. Future work force challenges are addressed through programs with local universities, the community college and school district. The utility uses data to guide capital planning and development processes. Strong financial management policies allow it to keep the cost of debt low, while balancing new debt issuance with the impact to rates. Customer survey data is used to determine the focus of customer engagement activities, and operational improvements allow for enhanced customer service from field staff.