Award Winners
Massachusetts Water Resources Authority
2018 Sustainable Water Utility Management Award
Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) provides wholesale water and wastewater service to the Boston metropolitan area. Its rates not only reflect the true cost of water, they also provide for maintenance of past investments and allow for modernization and improvement of the water system. Demand management and leak detection have eliminated waste and avoided the need to develop new supply sources. Large, well-protected supply reservoirs are regional resources for stressed water systems during times of drought. The Authority follows a regional model for energy efficiency and green power production: solar, hydro and wind. Climate change mitigation and adaptation initiatives include tracking greenhouse gas emissions, flood proofing and resilience measures programmed into all rehabilitation programs.
Scottsdale Water
2018 Sustainable Water Utility Management Award
Scottsdale Water operates one of the most sophisticated indirect potable reuse facilities in the world and has been an industry leader in the realm since its advance water treatment facility began operation in 1998. The utility recharges an average of 1.7 billion gallons of purified recycled water into the aquifer annually, helping ensure long-term water supplies and the integrity of the aquifer. Due to these aggressive recharge efforts, Scottsdale was the first city in Arizona to achieve “safe yield” – pumping less groundwater out of the aquifer than recharging back in – which the state mandated must be achieved by the year 2025. Scottsdale has achieved safe yield every year since 2006.
Tucson Water
2018 Sustainable Water Utility Management Award
Tucson Water operations maintain and enhance the sustainability of the community and environment, using an integrated approach to ensure safe, reliable and sufficient water supplies for residential, economic and environmental uses, encouraging conservation and maximum efficiency for all uses, while maintaining a fair and affordable rate structure. Because of strategic planning, continuous improvement, key investments and a focused water efficiency and conservation program, the utility possesses verifiable water resources that will support the community for the next 100 years. Tucson Water maintains solid credit ratings and financial reserves, which facilitate access to low-cost financing and is committed to establishing financial sustainability and rates that cover the full cost of service and are fair and equitable.
Anaheim Public Utilities
2017 Platinum Award for Utility Excellence
Anaheim Public Utilities keeps an eye toward maintaining stable rates for its customers while delivering reliable service and a high quality product. The utility invests in its employees, water infrastructure system and community through innovative employee development initiatives, carefully planned asset replacement programs and student engagement opportunities. These efforts resulted in the utility having one of the lowest water rates in its county, while water quality continues to meet and exceed state and federal standards. Its customer service is touted by J.D. Power as being in the top 15 percent of large water agencies in the western United States.
Anne Arundel County Bureau of Utility Operations
2017 Platinum Award for Utility Excellence
Anne Arundel County Bureau of Utility Operations developed a ten-year capital improvement program to implement its strategic decision to end reliance on the neighboring city of Baltimore for 25 percent of the county’s drinking water production. Major expansion was made to two water treatment plants, separate transmission mains were run and a water booster station was commissioned to deliver the production from those plants. The utility’s current water purchase is down to less than two percent, resulting in $8.5 million in annual savings. These efforts will ensure the sustainability of the local system, reduce costs and control water quality.
Atlanta Department of Watershed Management
2017 Sustainable Water Utility Management Award
The Atlanta Department of Watershed Management’s One Water Vision Strategic Plan serves as a blueprint to ensure a sustainable and modern water infrastructure through a five-year, $1.2 billion capital improvement program. Watershed Management has been recognized and awarded for sustainability efforts through upgrades to water and wastewater revenue refunding bonds. Its far-reaching green infrastructure initiatives include the largest permeable paver retrofit project in the nation. And the agency is proactively planning to increase Atlanta’s water supply reserve.
Baltimore City Department of Public Works
2017 Gold Award for Exceptional Utility Performance
The Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) embraces change management, sets smart, achievable goals, and plans for long-term continuous improvement and sustainable change. By utilizing stakeholder values and beliefs, DPW created a strategic plan with measurable objectives and timeframes, built goal teams comprised of employees from all areas of the organization, introduced a performance monitoring and guiding office, and reorganized the utility’s structure to break down silos and facilitate intra-agency communication and workflow. Empowering front-line staff was essential to meeting customer expectations for clean water, a clean city and effective access to DPW services.
Fairfax Water
2017 Sustainable Water Utility Management Award
Fairfax Water’s approach to financial management meets long-term financial obligations while providing an excellent value to its customers. This is accomplished via careful rate setting, a capital improvement plan and a robust asset management program. The utility puts a focus on environmental stewardship in projects like the future Vulcan Quarry Water Supply Reservoir, a cost-effective and innovative solution to meet the region’s future water supply needs. It continues its 40-year history of indirect potable reuse in the Occoquan Reservoir. An on-going focus on social responsibility is demonstrated through creation of River Mill Park and its Water Supply Outreach Grant Program.
Glendale Water Services Department
2017 Sustainable Water Utility Management Award
Glendale Water Services Department leads the city’s sustainability efforts, which include assuring a 100-year water supply, promoting energy and water conservation, protecting the watershed, mitigating air pollution and safeguarding the community from environmental hazards. In financial sustainability, a balance is maintained between assets, expenditures and debt service, achieving performance measures set by utility managers and bond raters. The utility takes its social responsibilities seriously with initiatives including an award-winning storm water sustainability tool kit for low impact development. It is responsible to its civic leaders through its Citizens Utilities Advisory Commission and to stakeholders through its Branding and Public Outreach Committee.
Great Lakes Water Authority
2017 Gold Award for Exceptional Utility Performance
Since its standup in 2016, Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) has achieved continual provision of water of unquestionable quality and efficient sewer services; two upgrades of its bond ratings; and execution of an inaugural $1.3 billion bond sale. GLWA also launched a program to provide qualifying households with help in paying current and past-due bills. It inaugurated an Apprenticeship Program for Electrical Instrumentation Control Technicians and created a leadership-training academy to build employees’ leadership skills. The Authority developed an asset management governance structure and continued focus on its environmental impact with the operation of its new Biosolids Dryer Facility.
Greenville Water
2017 Platinum Award for Utility Excellence
Greenville Water’s strong financial position allows the utility to be proactive in planning for the future and preparing for emergencies while maintaining affordable rates. Employees are well trained with state-of-the-industry technology to manage its assets and protect its resources. The utility also strives to make the community an outstanding place to live by sponsoring community events and supporting economic development efforts to bring better jobs and improve quality of life. Every day – with the help of talented employees, a connected community, strong management and a committed Commission – Greenville Water works to achieve its vision of quality water and a sustainable future.
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
2017 Sustainable Water Utility Management Award
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power reached its goal of 20 percent water savings through multiple programs, practices and technologies, in conjunction with enactment of conservation ordinances and plumbing code modifications. The US Green Building Council awarded LEED Gold status to its headquarters building for making energy efficiency improvements. Ground was broken for the Tujunga Spreading Grounds Enhancement Project, which will double the stormwater capture capacity of the facility. The utility deployed 90 million shade balls to the Los Angeles Reservoir to help meet the bromate drinking water standard and control algae, saving money and ensuring water quality.