Platinum Award for Utility Excellence
Like the Gold Award for Exceptional Utility Performance, the criteria for the Platinum Award for Utility Excellence are based on the Ten Attributes of Effective Utility Management and the Keys to Management Success. Applicants are expected to show progress in implementing the attributes and keys, as well as a distinctive level of management expertise and expanded utility achievement.
Three years after winning a Gold Award, member utilities are eligible to apply for the Platinum Award for Utility Excellence.
Recent Award Winners
Massachusetts Water Resources Authority
2008 Platinum Award for Utility Excellence
Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) has master plans for its water and wastewater systems that recommend and prioritize $3.1 billion in project investments in infrastructure and equipment over the next 40 years. As demand for MWRA water continues to drop, the utility has pursued opportunities for regional cooperation and environmental remediation involving smaller neighboring communities facing unmet water resource needs.
Northern Kentucky Water District
2008 Platinum Award for Utility Excellence
The Northern Kentucky Water District (NKWD) implemented a water main relining program and rehabilitated more than 20 miles of mains, greatly reducing complaints of discolored water. The utility’s safety record was dramatically improved by increasing the emphasis on safety training and offering in-house training directly applicable to its workforce. In addition, by leveraging its workforce’s ideas and involvement, NKWD decreased both water treatment chemical expenditures and energy costs.
Spartanburg Water
2008 Platinum Award for Utility Excellence
Through its continuous improvement program, Spartanburg Water became a strategy-focused organization. Benefits included a more knowledgeable, diversely skilled work force; streamlined management structure; increased service area and revenue base; improved customer service; expanded water supply to meet 100-year projections; reduced environmental compliance exposure; enhanced debt service coverage and reserve funding; improved bond ratings; and a more resilient organization.
Tualatin Valley Water District
2008 Platinum Award for Utility Excellence
Tualatin Valley Water District adopted a 50-year water supply plan that ensures future water supplies for its fast growing service area. The Oregon utility also conducted a work force planning study, which put in place processes that will ensure a skilled and knowledgeable work force for the future, and implemented various sustainability initiatives and analyses regarding reduced carbon emissions, workplace efficiency opportunities and community involvement.
Tacoma Water
2007 Platinum Award for Utility Excellence
At Tacoma Water, competitiveness strategies are supported by planning efforts. The operations and maintenance budget and capital spending plan are reviewed by a team of managers from all sections who consider consistency with the utility’s priority of needs identified in its business plan and financial impacts from its financial model. The utility also implements strategic planning programs within the operating sections, emphasizing its commitment to providing the highest quality water in the most efficient manner possible.
Birmingham Water Works and Sewer Board
2006 Platinum Award for Utility Excellence
At the Birmingham Water Works and Sewer Board, comparative analysis using key benchmarks of performance, together with its Business Process Review Initiative, enabled the Board to improve the most important aspects of its business while restoring financial stability.Detailed departmental action plans support strategic goals, operating and business plans, and involve all staff in meeting customers' needs for safe, affordable water.
Chicago Department of Water Management
2006 Platinum Award for Utility Excellence
In 2003, Chicago's Departments of Water and Sewers merged to become the Chicago Department of Water Management (DWM).DWM is unifying procedures, visions and goals, including a comprehensive approach to protecting the city's water resources and incorporating performance management to focus on water quality and customer satisfaction.Utilizing people, processes and technology, DWM has developed, streamlined and reengineered its processes.
City of Raleigh Public Utilities Department
2006 Platinum Award for Utility Excellence
While experiencing rapid growth associated with mergers with water and sewer systems of nearby towns, the City of Raleigh Public Utilities Department remains committed to providing quality, affordable water to customers.Capital improvement projects to address the growth include a new utility operations center and water treatment plant.Through its Gainsharing Program, employees are rewarded for ideas on reducing costs, improving methods and increasing service quality.
District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority
2006 Platinum Award for Utility Excellence
Since its inception in 1997, District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority has implemented an internal improvement program for operational efficiencies and service enhancements. Its $2.1 billion capital improvement plan is addressing long-needed infrastructure upgrades and new regulatory mandates. WASA is also introducing technology improvements and customer service enhancements, coupled with peer review research and career development programs.
Green Bay Water Utility
2006 Platinum Award for Utility Excellence
Green Bay Water Utility focused on training its people at every level and improving operations through participative management. The utility implemented cross-connection inspections on all customers, established a routine testing schedule for distribution hydrants and valves, and licenses and monitors private wells – all without an increase in staff and with a single 4-1/2 percent rate increase over the last five years.
JEA
2006 Platinum Award for Utility Excellence
At JEA, the TargetSmart program, based on Six Sigma methodology, has permeated its workforce, resulting in significant process improvements and cost savings. Production and infrastructure system investments were made to prepare for the future, and JEA is refining and streamlining its systems to ensure optimum performance in production, technology, productivity, reliability and customer service.
Palm Beach County Water Utilities Department
2006 Platinum Award for Utility Excellence
Palm Beach County Water Utilities Department has an aggressive water reclamation program that produces up to five billion gallons of reclaimed water annually for irrigation of golf courses and residential communities. A $250 million, seven-year capital improvement program is fully funded from internally generated funds and existing bonds. Returns on leadership, asset management, customer satisfaction and efficient business operations help secure the Department's competitive edge.