FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 23, 2016

CONTACT: DEP Press Office, 850.245.2112, DEPNews@dep.state.fl.us

DEP PRESENTS 2015 PLANT EXCELLENCE AWARDS TO NORTHWEST FLORIDA WATER
FACILITY OPERATORS 

~Awards presented to five recipients for innovation at wastewater and
drinking water facilities~

DEP Secretary Jon Steverson (left) and DEP Northwest District Director Shawn Hamilton (right) with Plant Operations Excellence Award recipient representing Eglin Air Force Base, Duke Field.

PANAMA CITY, Fla. – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today presented the 2015 Plant Operations Excellence Awards to five Northwest Florida drinking water and domestic wastewater facilities at the annual Focus On Change Seminar. Drinking water facility award recipients were Naval Air Station, Whiting Field; Eglin Air Force Base, Eglin West/Housing; Bay County Water Treatment Plant; and Eglin Air Force Base, Duke Field. The wastewater facility recipient was the Arbennie Pritchett Water Reclamation Facility.

“I am excited to recognize the commitment to excellence by these plant operators, which they demonstrate through high compliance rates statewide," said DEP Secretary Jon Steverson. “We applaud their hard work and look forward to continuing to partner with these utilities and local communities to ensure clean and dependable water for our residents and our environment."

Each year, the department presents awards to domestic wastewater and drinking water facilities around the state that demonstrate excellence in operation, maintenance, innovative treatment, waste reduction, pollution prevention, recycling or other achievements.These awards recognize facilities that demonstrate a special commitment to excellence in management through dedicated professionalism and that have an impeccable history of record-keeping compliance. 

The department is awarding a total of 16 facilities, including five domestic wastewater facilities and 11 drinking water facilities statewide. The other awards are being presented at district ceremonies during the upcoming Focus On Change Seminars in Lake City, Ocala, Haines City, Punta Gorda and Tamarac.

This is the 26th year that the Florida Rural Water Association has conducted the Focus on Change Seminar in conjunction with DEP. The seminar is designed to provide current regulatory information to utilities in order to improve compliance.

The department's Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) programs have awarded a combined total of more than $5 billion for 182 wastewater, stormwater and drinking water improvement projects. The programs are funded by federal grants, state matching funds, loan repayments and interest earnings. The CWSRF began awarding grants in 1989 and the DWSRF began awarding grants in 1998. For more information, visit here.

About the Florida Department of Environmental Protection

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is the state’s principal environmental agency, created to protect, conserve and manage Florida’s environment and natural resources. The department enforces federal and state environmental laws, protects Florida’s air and water quality, cleans up pollution, regulates solid waste management, promotes pollution prevention and acquires environmentally sensitive lands for preservation. The agency also maintains a statewide system of parks, trails and aquatic preserves. Visit the department’s website at www.dep.state.fl.us.

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/FLDEP/bulletins/1374f28