FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 14, 2020
DEP Presents 2019 Plant Excellence Awards to Drinking Water and Wastewater Facilities
~These facilities continue a tradition of excellence in drinking and wastewater operation in Florida.~
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – This week the Florida Department of Environmental Protection wrapped up its 2019 Plant Excellence Awards presentations. 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 presented the awards to a total of 13 facilities statewide, including four domestic wastewater facilities and nine drinking water facilities. The awards were presented at district ceremonies during the Focus on Change Seminars held during January and February 2020 around the state in Pompano Beach, Punta Gorda, Haines City, Ocala, Panama City and Lake City.
For more information on the department’s Plant Excellence Awards program, including winners in each district, please visit the program’s webpage.
“It is vitally important to Florida’s millions of residents and visitors that drinking water and wastewater facilities operate efficiently and effectively," said DEP's Division of Water Resource Management Director Benjamin Melnick. "The men and women who operate these facilities have demonstrated the highest levels of professionalism, innovation, and reliability in an industry that affects the lives of everyone in Florida. It is the department’s pleasure to recognize them for their hard work and continued dedication to protecting the environment and providing excellent service to customers.”
This is the 30th year that the Florida Rural Water Association has conducted the Focus on Change Seminars in conjunction with DEP. This seminar series is designed to provide current regulatory information to utilities in order to improve statewide consistency and compliance.
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