Clayton County Water Authority Earns Spring Conference Awards
Surface Water Plant of the Year, Programs of Excellence in Biosolids and Public Education
May 31, 2023 (Morrow, Georgia) – – The Clayton County Water Authority (CCWA) earned several awards during the Georgia Association of Water Professional’s (GAWP) recent spring conference, including Best Operated Water Plant of the Year, Biosolids/Residuals Program of Excellence and Public Education Program of Excellence.
“These awards reflect the commitment of CCWA’s water professionals to provide quality water and quality services to our community while also striving to be leaders in our industry,” says CCWA General Manager H. Bernard Franks. “We are very proud of these awards from our peers.”
Best Operated Water Plant (Surface Water) of the Year Award – William J. Hooper Water Production Plant
CCWA’s Hooper Water Production Plant competed against the best managed/operated drinking water facilities in the state to earn this award for the Surface Water 15 – 24.99 million gallons per day (MGD) category. Facilities are graded on all aspects including safety, maintenance operations, documentation, lab operations and industrial monitoring.
Biosolids/Residuals Program of Excellence – Northeast Water Reclamation Facility (WRF)
CCWA’s Northeast WRF earned this award for the Small Operating System – Less than 5 Dry Ton Category for operations in 2022. To earn this award, programs are graded on the excellence of:
- recycling or reuse of natural resources such as nutrients and organic matter found in biosolids or other sludges
- demonstration of energy efficiency and/or cost effectiveness
- excellence in program/project management; and technical innovation in the management of biosolids/residuals
Education Program of Excellence in Water Award
CCWA’s Communications & Community Relations staff earned the Education Program of Excellence Award. Recipients must score at least 90% to earn this award. Evidence is provided showing program planning, promotion, implementation, and follow-up. This award encompasses school programs, facility tours, waterway clean up events like Rivers Alive, community outreach events, conservation programs and participation in national campaigns such as Fix A Leak Week and Drinking Water Week. This award covers June 1, 2021 – May 31, 2022.
Facilities Mark 100% Permit Compliance for 2022
Water production and water reclamation facilities earn Gold Awards for meeting 100% permit compliance for a calendar year. After earning Gold for five years, they earn Platinum Awards.
- W. Smith Water Production Plant – 14 years Platinum
- Terry R. Hicks Water Production Plant – 22 years Platinum
- J. Hooper Plant – 25 years Platinum
- Shoal Creek Water Reclamation Facility – 3 years Gold
- Northeast Water Reclamation Facility – 2 years Gold
The awards were presented during GAWP’s spring conference in Columbus, Georgia. GAWP educates, provides professional development, and promotes sound public policy in the water resources and related environmental fields.