FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 13, 2019

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

DEP Presents Plant Excellence Award to City of Jacksonville Beach Pollution Control Plant

~The City of Jacksonville Beach Pollution Control Plant strives to exceed community and environmental expectations~

LAKE CITY, Fla. – Today, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection presented the 2018 Plant Operations Excellence Award to the City of Jacksonville Beach Pollution Control Plant in the Type I Domestic Wastewater Facility category.

“Drinking water and wastewater plant operators hold critical, important and consequential positions that year after year earn our trust and confidence," said DEP's Northeast District Assistant Director Jim Maher. "These dedicated professionals bring excellence, innovation and reliability to systems that affect the well-being of us all, shelter the public and the environment from risk, and care for a most basic foundation of our lives, and they deserve our praise and appreciation. It is therefore my great pleasure to recognize one of the very best in a field of outstanding professionals.”

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.

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 FloridaDEP.gov.

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/FLDEP/bulletins/22ebdca