FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 23, 2016
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.
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