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

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 3, 2016

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

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

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

Plant Excellence Winner

DEP Southwest District Assistant Director Kelley Boatwright with Plant Operations Excellence Award recipient representing city of Lake Wales Water System.


HAINES CITY, Fla. – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today presented the 2015 Plant Operations Excellence Awards to three Southwest Florida drinking water and domestic wastewater facilities at the annual Focus on Change Seminar. Drinking water facility award recipients were the city of Lake Wales Water System and Northwest Utilities (Fawn Ridge and Lake Park Water Treatment Plants). The wastewater facility recipient was the city of Dunedin Wastewater Treatment Plant.

“We are excited for the opportunity to recognize these successful facilities for their hard work,” said Kelley Boatwright, DEP Southwest District assistant director. “We encourage everyone to strive for the same level of excellence that these facilities have achieved.”

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 Focus on Change Seminars in Ocala, Panama 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.