FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 29, 2014
DEP PRESENTS 2014 PLANT EXCELLENCE AWARDS TO SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WATER FACILITY OPERATORS
~Awards presented to
four recipients for innovation at wastewater and drinking water
facilities~
HAINES CITY – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection
today presented the 2014 Plant Operations Excellence Awards to four southwest
Florida drinking water and domestic wastewater facilities at the annual “Focus On Change” Seminar. Drinking
water facility award recipients included Tampa Bay Regional Surface Water Treatment Plant and the Plant City Water System. The wastewater facility
recipients were the city of Dunedin Wastewater Treatment Plant and the Point O' Woods Wastewater Treatment Plant.
"It is only through the continued dedication of our
wastewater and drinking water facilities that Florida can stay on the
forefront of water conservation and treatment,” said DEP Division of Water Resource
Management Director Mark Thomasson. ”It is imperative that we recognize our outstanding facilities
that promote higher standards within the regulated community through innovation
and continuous improvement."
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 are presented to
recognize facilities that demonstrate a special commitment to excellence in
management through dedicated professionalism.
The department is awarding a total of 22 facilities,
including 10 domestic wastewater facilities as well as 12 drinking
water facilities statewide. The other awards are being presented at
district ceremonies during the additional five “Focus On Change” annual
seminars in Ocala, Punta Gorda, Tamarac, Panama City and Lake City.
Facilities go through a rigorous judging process, with every
aspect of their operation scrutinized. The facility must maintain an impeccable
history of record-keeping compliance. Facility activities, such as
malfunctions, maintenance or upgrades must all be documented and demonstrable
to the department during unannounced inspection visits
throughout the year. Facility upkeep is paramount, as well as making sure
facility personnel have all of the proper, up-to-date certifications and
training on the latest water monitoring rules and techniques.
Wastewater facilities have the opportunity to provide evidence of
innovative solutions to water conservation problems, suggest improvements to
the maintenance process or highlight unique areas in which they may excel.
Drinking water facilities are required to have an exemplary history
of compliance with microbiological and chemical contaminant standards. In
addition, each facility must keep constant record of the number of days and
length of hours the operators work at the
facility. Drinking water plants are also afforded the opportunity to display
areas of expertise and innovation, such as alternating flow patterns to allow
storage tanks to be cleaned and inspected more frequently.
This is the 25th year
that the Florida Rural Water Association has presented the “Focus on Change”
Seminar in conjunction with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
The sessions are designed to provide the most current regulatory information
available to utilities in order to improve compliance.
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