Water utility recognized for its management practices
Published on November 18, 2022
The Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies honored Fort Worth as one of four recipients of its Sustainable Water Utility Management Award.
The Sustainable Water Utility Management Award recognizes water utilities that are committed to management that achieves a balance of innovative and successful efforts in areas of fiscal responsibility, environmental stewardship, efficient operations and social responsibility.
“An AMWA award epitomizes the highest achievement in drinking water utility management and operations,” said AMWA CEO Tom Dobbins. “Congratulations to this year’s winners, who have demonstrated a commitment to serving their communities by supplying high-quality and safe drinking water while keeping service affordable and supporting the environment through sustainable efforts. AMWA said the utility’s recent efforts to reduce water loss, promote conservation, improve metering accuracy, expand customer outreach and interaction, eliminate lead services, and invest in biosolids process improvements aligned with the goals of the award.”
As an example, the new biosolids facility that went into operation in 2022 replaces belt presses with a drum dryer to create a pelletized product that has 90% of the water content removed. Fort Worth achieves a 40% reduction in operating costs and savings of almost $2 million annually.
“Receiving this award reflects the commitment of our staff across the utility to be customer-focused and to continue seeking ways to improve our operations,” said Water Director Chris Harder. He added, “It took years of effort to earn this honor, and with it comes the responsibility to keep moving the utility forward to meet the challenges that lie ahead.”
AMWA also identified the utility’s career pipeline, a partnership with Fort Worth Independent School District and Tarrant County College as an example of workforce sustainability. The program enables high school students to graduate with water and trade certifications and associate’s degrees.
Only utilities that previously received AMWA’s Platinum and Gold Awards are eligible for the Sustainable Water Utility Management Award. The Platinum and Gold Awards recognize outstanding achievement in implementing the nationally recognized Attributes of Effective Utility Management.
Other utilities receiving the Sustainable Water Utility Management Award are Coachella Valley Water District in California, Fort Wayne City Utilities and San Antonio Water System.
Photo: AMWA President Angela Licata (left) and Vice President John Entsminger presented the award to Deputy Water Director Kara Shuror and Water Media Relations/Communications Coordinator Mary Gugliuzza.
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