Water Authority Earns Gold Award for Exceptional Utility Performance
October 26, 2010
The San Diego County Water Authority has earned a Gold Award for Exceptional Utility Performance from the Association of Metropolitan…
The San Diego County Water Authority has earned a Gold Award for Exceptional Utility Performance from the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies for its strong record of effective management and significant contributions to the drinking water industry.
The Water Authority is one of only 13 public drinking water systems nationally to earn AMWA’s outstanding achievement award for utility management. The awards will be presented Tuesday, Oct. 26 at AMWA’s Annual Meeting in Henderson, Nev.
“For nearly two decades, the Water Authority has focused on innovative ways to maximize our region’s water reliability while ensuring safe and cost-effective operations,” said Michael T. Hogan, Water Authority Board Chair. “It’s gratifying to have our colleagues in the water industry recognize with this award all the hard work our board and staff have dedicated to serving our ratepayers.”
AMWA recognized the Water Authority for its long-term strategy to enhance the region’s water supply reliability by diversifying the region’s water supply portfolio. The award specifically cited the accomplishment of major progress on supply reliability projects, including:
- Finishing construction on the All-American Canal Lining Project. Water conserved from the canal-lining project will be transferred to San Diego County for 110 years, and is helping to offset current water cutbacks to the region.
- Commencing construction on the San Vicente Dam Raise Project. The project, the largest dam raise in the United States, will provide up to 152,100 acre-feet of additional local storage to help manage supplies during dry years or emergencies.
- Efforts to develop local supplies, including desalinated seawater and recycled water.
AMWA also recognized the Water Authority’s Drought Management Plan for its role in facilitating the region’s orderly transition to mandatory supply allocations.
“AMWA’s 2010 award winners are industry pacesetters, where forward-looking managers and committed workforces create sustainable utilities providing high-quality, affordable water and responsive customer service, while protecting the environment,” said AMWA President James McDaniel. “The communities served by these award winners should be proud of the accomplishments of their exceptionally well-managed public utilities.”
Each year AMWA honors a small group of public water agencies that exemplify the attributes of effectively managed utilities. These attributes, which are evaluated by a panel of respected water and wastewater utility executives, include: product quality, customer satisfaction, employee and leadership development, operational optimization, financial viability, infrastructure stability, operational resiliency, community sustainability, water resource adequacy, and stakeholder understanding and support.
AMWA’s members include the nation’s largest publicly owned drinking water utilities, which provide safe and clean drinking water to more than 130 million Americans.