FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 6, 2019
DEP Presents 2018 Plant Excellence Awards to Two Southwest Florida Drinking Water Facilities
and One Wastewater Operator
~Southwest Florida entities recognized for innovative efforts to improve operations and customer service~
 HAINES CITY, Fla. – Today, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection presented 2018 Plant Operations Excellence Awards to the City of Oldsmar and Hillsborough County Northwest drinking water facilities and the Polk County Utilities Division – Southwest Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant at the annual Focus on Change Seminar.
“The efforts of both of these drinking water facilities to continue to provide a safe and sustainable water supply for their customers is to be commended, and we thank them for their exemplary performance in helping protect Florida’s environment together,” said DEP Southwest Assistant District Director Kelley Boatwright. “Additionally, Polk County’s wastewater plant has been recognized as a leader in safety with an outstanding collections system operation and maintenance program, and their dedication to excellence is appreciated.”
Each year, DEP 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 18 facilities, including 10 domestic wastewater facilities and eight drinking water facilities statewide. The awards are being presented at district ceremonies during the Focus on Change Seminars held during the month of February around the state in Haines City, Lake City, Niceville, Ocala, Pompano Beach and Punta Gorda.
This is the 29th 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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