Orange Water And Sewer Authority Water Utility Receives Award Of Recognition From Partnership For Safe Water

Utility is one of an elite group to receive honor

The Orange Water and Sewer Authority’s Jones Ferry Road Water Treatment Plant staff has received the 10-Year Directors Award from the Partnership for Safe Water.

OWASA was one of a select group of utilities honored by the Partnership at the recent annual conference of the American Water Works Association, the largest and oldest worldwide organization dedicated to safe water. OWASA staff received the award for successfully maintaining a high level of performance for 10 years.

OWASA initially received a Directors Award in 2005 by completing a self-assessment and peer review including a comprehensive evaluation of treatment plant operations and performance, identification of performance limiting factors, and the development of action plans to achieve optimization. In 2011, OWASA received the Partnership’s award for Excellence in Water Treatment and in 2013 OWASA received a Directors Award for optimizing operation of the drinking water distribution system (pipes, etc.).

“We are honored to receive the 10-year award,” said Ken Loflin, OWASA’s Water Treatment and Supply Manager. “Our goal is to continually optimize operations and improve the quality of water we deliver to our customers. The 10-Year Directors Award demonstrates our ongoing commitment to protecting public health.”

The Partnership for Safe Water is an alliance of the American Water Works Association, Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies, Association of State Drinking Water Administrators, United States Environmental Protection Agency, National Association of Water Companies and the Water Research Foundation.

The Partnership provides a voluntary self-assessment and optimization program for water treatment plant and distribution system operations. More than 250 utilities, collectively serving more than 100 million people, are committed to the Partnership’s goals of providing safe, high-quality drinking water through achieving operational excellence in water treatment. Partnership members participate in a rigorous four-phase self-assessment and peer review process, developed by water utility optimization experts, and are recognized for their commitment to delivering safe water to their communities.

About The American Water Works Association
Established in 1881, the American Water Works Association is the largest nonprofit, scientific and educational association dedicated to managing and treating water, the world’s most important resource. With approximately 50,000 members, AWWA provides solutions to improve public health, protect the environment, strengthen the economy and enhance our quality of life.