FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 27, 2017

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

DEP PRESENTS 2016 PLANT EXCELLENCE AWARDS TO SOUTH FLORIDA WATER FACILITY OPERATORS 

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

Clockwise from left: Bay Point Wastewater Treatment Facility, Cape Coral North Reverse Osmosis Plant, Bonita Springs Utilities East Water Reclamation Facility, and
Island Water Association.

PUNTA GORDA, Fla. – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection presented the 2016 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 Island Water Association and the city of Cape Coral North Reverse Osmosis Plant. The wastewater facility recipients were the Bonita Springs Utilities East Water Reclamation Facility and the Bay Point Wastewater Treatment Facility.

“We applaud these plant operators for their hard work and commitment to excellence," said Jon Iglehart, DEP South District director. “Florida depends on clean water, so we’re excited to work alongside these leading utilities and the communities that they 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 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 Pompano Beach, 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.

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/1830ee7