FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 26, 2017
DEP RECOGNIZES SOUTHEAST FLORIDA WATER FACILITY OPERATOR WITH
2016 PLANT EXCELLENCE AWARD
~Drinking water facility recognized for innovative practices~
POMPANO BEACH, Fla. – The Florida Department
of Environmental Protection recognized the town of Jupiter's drinking water facility as the recipient of the 2016 Plant Operations
Excellence Awards.
“The Southeast District applauds Jupiter Utilities
for their outstanding commitment to utilizing cutting-edge technology while
preserving Florida’s fresh water resources,” said Jennifer Smith, DEP Southeast District director. "Their dedicated and knowledgeable
staff have helped establish this facility as one of the
best in Southeast Florida. This award highlights the essential role that this facility and
others in the region play when it comes to the important task of producing
high-quality, affordable potable water for its customers, while conserving
resources and protecting the environment.”
Jupiter Utilities is the first utility in Southeast Florida to utilize brackish reverse osmosis, an advanced water
purification process, on a large scale. Their reverse osmosis
treatment plant has served as an exemplary teaching model for engineers
and utility personnel around the world. Additionally, in 2010 the facility
replaced their lime softening plant with a nanofiltration plant, thereby
reducing waste and water production costs.
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 15 facilities,
including five domestic wastewater facilities and 10 drinking water facilities
statewide. The other awards will be presented at district ceremonies
during the Focus on Change Seminars in Punta Gorda, Ocala, Haines City, Lake City and Panama City.
This is the 27th 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.
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