FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 8, 2016

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

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

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

DEP South District Director Jon Iglehart with Plant Operations Excellence Award recipients representing High Point and Gateway wastewater treatment facilities in Lee County.

PUNTA GORDA, Fla. – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today presented the 2015 Plant Operations Excellence Awards to four South Florida drinking water and domestic wastewater facilities at the annual Focus on Change Seminar. Drinking water facility award recipients were the Charlotte County Utilities Burnt Store Water Treatment Plant and the Peace River Regional Water Treatment Plant. The wastewater facility recipients were the Gateway Wastewater Treatment Facility and the High Point Wastewater Treatment Facility.

"The excellent compliance rates and water-quality data in our region demonstrate the close competition this year," said Jon Iglehart, DEP South District director. "It is a pleasure to recognize the very best local operators who continue to supply high-quality water to the customers we all serve."

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, Haines City, Panama City 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.

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/13a7f83