01 Dec OWASA’s Wastewater Treatment Plant Awarded by National Organization
The Partnership for Clean Water (PCW) recently awarded OWASA’s Mason Farm Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) the Partnership for Clean Water’s Directors Award. This honor places the treatment plant among a top group of wastewater utilities in committing to protecting public health, the environment, and ratepayer funds by optimizing wastewater system operations.
The PCW is a voluntary program that recognizes treatment plants for working toward operational excellence and doing so in an energy-efficient manner.
“The Directors Award marks a significant milestone in our pursuit of operational excellence at the Mason Farm Wastewater Treatment Plant,” OWASA Wastewater Treatment Plant and Biosolids Recycling Manager Monica Dodson said of the recognition. “It is awarded for the successful completion (as judged by a panel of our peers) of a comprehensive and rigorous self-assessment of our entire plant operations and performance.”
To achieve this honor, OWASA submitted a thorough self-assessment of the entire WWTP operations and performance that was reviewed by utility peers through the Partnership. The assessment identified nearly 100 action items to improve overall operational performance. Eight of these items have already been completed with more than 40 others underway prior to being notified of the Directors Award. The self-assessment process took more than a year to complete and involved Team members from across the OWASA organization.
“Utility staff and management are committed to providing exceptional wastewater treatment services to their community,” The Partnership’s review panel wrote when announcing the recognition. “The self-assessment report demonstrates this through capital improvements over the years, process monitoring used to inform operational changes and the pursuit of advanced treatment through the Class A- Exceptional Quality biosolids program and the reclaimed water facility.”
The review panel also highlighted OWASA’s energy-management plans and goals to improve system-wide energy consumption.
“Achievement of an award of this caliber is no small feat and is not possible without the hard work of a dedicated team and supportive leadership. In fact, our award specifically called out the commitment of resources, both staff and funding, as an area of our strength. I am so proud of our Team and truly honored to be part of this organization.” Dodson said.
OWASA has participated in the overall Partnership for Safe Water program since 2002. OWASA’s Jones Ferry Road Water Treatment Plant achieved the Excellence in Water Treatment Award in 2011, and OWASA’s Distribution System was honored with the Presidents Award in 2017.
OWASA will be recognized for this achievement at the national American Water Works Association conference in 2022.