Local water utility wins national award for innovation

LAUREL, Md. (WUSA9) --  Local water and wastewater utility Washington Suburban Sanitation Commission, or WSSC, received a prestigious national award for innovative, strategic management.

WSSC was among 12 water utilities nationwide to earn the Sustainable Water Utility Management Award from the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA). AMWA issues the award to water utilities committed to management that achieves a balance of innovative and successful efforts in areas of economic, social and environmental endeavors. WSSC, which serves 1.8 million residents of Prince George's and Montgomery counties, submitted a document showing the work its done to AMWA, before receiving the award at the Executive Management Conference Tuesday in Savannah, Ga.

You can see the submission here.

The general manager and CEO of WSSC, Jerry Johnson, said,   "This award is a testament to the innovative, hardworking employees of WSSC, and the strategic vision of our leadership team and Commissioners. I'm extremely proud of what we have accomplished and look forward to seeing the how our numerous programs and initiatives underway further our vital, life-sustaining mission."

AMWA said that WSCC replaces "its water mains at a rate of 55-plus miles per year and mitigates the potential damage of large-diameter pre-stressed, concrete cylinder pipe by using breakthrough acoustic fiber optics technology. The utility obtains 28 percent of its electric power needs from wind power and has solar power projects at two wastewater treatment plants. Its budget includes a ratepayer-supported Customer Assistance Program. A restructured debt program and transformed supply chain management saves WSSC tens of millions of dollars."
 
Others receiving the award:

1. Austin Water (Texas)
2. City of Bellevue Utilities (Washington) 
3. Water Works Board of the City of Birmingham (Alabama) 
4. Central Arkansas Water
5. Charlotte Water (North Carolina)
6. Chesterfield County Utilities Department (Virginia)
7. Contra Costa Water District (California)
8. Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department (Florida)
9. Prince William County Service Authority (Virginia)
10. Riverside Public Utilities (California)
11. Santa Rosa Water (California).