AMWA’s 2012 Gold Awards for Exceptional Utility Performance were presented to:
- Denver Water
- Grand Strand Water & Sewer Authority
- Macon Water Authority
- Suffolk County Water Authority
Denver Water is committed to delivering a high-quality product, operating with excellence and efficiency, developing employees’ skills and using specific metrics to track performance. It has engaged in comprehensive watershed protection efforts and asset management programs. To prepare for an uncertain future, it uses scenario planning to evaluate potential water supply futures and collaborates with federal, state and local officials to prevent, prepare for and recover from emergencies. The utility partners with regulatory agencies to ensure it uses practical approaches to protect public health and the environment. Its financial position is strong, with solid cash reserves and excellent credit ratings.
Grand Strand Water and Sewer Authority focuses on priorities of product quality, customer satisfaction and financial viability. The major goal of its strategic plan is expanding high quality water service throughout the region, while maintaining a reasonably low cost and stable rate structure. The utility continues to grow revenues, contain costs and keep rates stable while it increases its focus on community sustainability and broadens the scope of its service areas. As part of an economic partnership the utility is developing a marine park on its property located on the Waccamaw River/Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway.
Macon Water Authority has focused on being a truly progressive, proactive and community-centered partner with residents and businesses. Areas of focus include: community involvement, such as land donations, park creation, financial support for industry development and environmental stewardship of local rivers; revamping of Customer Care and Field Services; voluntary development of a watershed protection plan; proactive leadership roles in regional planning, both economic and environmental; proactive approach to asset management, including a full mapping of assets and a GIS focus; valve exercising, manhole rehab and meter replacement projects; a long-range water audit program to ensure all water production is properly accounted for; strong financial stewardship and planning; and annual financial support for the Macon/Bibb County Industrial Authority.
Suffolk County Water Authority maintains a state-of-the-art laboratory that goes beyond regulatory requirements to ensure the water it delivers is of the highest quality. Fiscal management is strong, as evidenced by its current bond ratings of AAA and AA+ issued by Fitch and Standard & Poor’s, respectively. The management team makes the utility more efficient, transparent and accountable through the creation of annual goals and objectives, finding creative sources of alternative revenues and cutting expenditures not core to its mission of providing the highest quality water at the lowest possible price. The utility embraces new technologies, actively participates in protection of its sole source aquifer and strives to provide exemplary service to customers.