Member News
2008 NAWC Annual Conference October 19-22, 2008
Download the Registration Form
http://www.nawc.org/pdf/RegistrationForm.pdf
Join your colleagues in the private water industry for the biggest private water event of the year — the 2008 Annual Conference of the National Association of Water Companies. Water utility executives, state and federal regulators, service providers — all of the key players in the private water industry — will come together, October 19-22, at the Eldorado Hotel and Spa in Santa Fe, N.M.
The Conference will feature a full professional program, addressing the hot topics of the day, with presentations by key industry figures, as well as some outside perspective. The Conference will also feature social events and tours, giving attendees an unmatched opportunity to network among their peers.
Santa Fe is a world-renowned travel destination unparalleled in richness of history, heritage, arts and culture. You'll be nestled in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the foothills of the Rockies, immersed in natural beauty of sunshine and blue sky.
The conference will be held at the Eldorado Hotel and Spa. Conveniently located amidst the attractions of Santa Fe, the hotel also features amenities and services that allow you to rest your mind and rejuvenate your soul. NAWC has a block of rooms available at $219/night. Reservations can be made by calling 800/955-4455 or 505/988-4455.
Further details about the Conference program will be published soon, please keep watching this space. If you have questions, please call Mike Horner (202/833-2181) or Carlos Villanueva (202/349-7300).
American Water Receives National Awards for Excellence in Water Quality
American Water announced the receipt of nine Directors Awards of Recognition from the Partnership for Safe Water this year for maintaining Phase III certification. The Partnership is a voluntary initiative developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other water organizations to recognize water suppliers that consistently achieve water treatment standards that surpass EPA regulatory requirements.
The awards were recognized at the 2008 American Water Works Association Annual Conference. "Our employees are committed to delivering the best water quality possible to our customers," said Stephen Schmitt, vice president of operations services for American Water. "We're pleased to achieve this recognition from the Partnership as a testament to our dedication to operational excellence."
The following American Water treatment plants were recognized in 2008 for maintaining the Phase III Directors Award status for five years:
Illinois American Water
-- East St. Louis Water Treatment Plant
-- Cairo District Water Treatment Plant
-- Alton District Water Treatment Plant
Missouri American Water
-- Jefferson City Water Treatment Plant
New Jersey American Water
-- Swimming River Water Treatment Plant
Ohio American Water
-- Tiffin Water Treatment Plant
The following American Water treatment plants were recognized in 2008 for maintaining the Phase III Directors Award status for 10 years:
Kentucky American Water
-- Richmond Road Station
-- Kentucky River Station
West Virginia American Water
-- Huntington Water Treatment Plant
As a member of the Partnership for Safe Water, American Water demonstrates its commitment to voluntarily providing drinking water of a quality better than is required by federal standards. Out of American Water's more than 80 surface-water treatment plants, more than 83 percent of the facilities have received Phase III certification in the ongoing program.
Utilities, Inc. Launches New Customer Care and Billing System
Utilities, Inc. announced the implementation of Oracle’s Customer Care and Billing System. The new system, which went on-line June 2, represents the culmination of a two-year, multi-million dollar project that also included the implementation of Oracle’s JDE Enterprise in December 2007. This new system will replace the current billing system by combining both the customer service and field operations systems with the billing system, thereby allowing Utilities, Inc. to standardize rate schedules maintained across operations and augment its reporting capabilities. Larry Schumacher, president and C.E.O. said, “We are excited to have this long awaited new tool in service. This system will allow us improved access to information, further enhance UI’s customer focus and improve the customer experience overall.”
Pennsylvania American Water Announces Agreement to Provide Residual Material to Grow Biofuel Crops
Pennsylvania American Water announced an agreement with GTECH Strategies to provide residual material from its Pittsburgh-based water treatment facility for the local nonprofit community development organization to grow biofuel crops. GTECH will mix the material sediment from the Monongahela River with organic material to build soil in order to grow switchgrass, sunflowers and canola that are used to produce ethanol or biodiesel.
Approximately 97 percent of Pennsylvania American Water's residual material is used beneficially as a soil amendment by farmers, contractors and conservancies for growth and restoration. When water is pumped from the Monongahela River for treatment and delivery, river silt and sediment is filtered and pressed, resulting in a by-product that can be used as filler in restoration projects or as a soil foundation or amendment in farm fields or strip-mined areas where new vegetation is encouraged.
Approximately 40 million gallons of water are pulled from the Monongahela River each day at Pennsylvania American Water's Hays Mine treatment plant in Carrick, resulting in about 8,000 tons of residual material each year. Pennsylvania American Water has been beneficially using its residual material since the early 1980s. The company was recognized as a recipient of the prestigious Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence in 2000 and with an Allegheny County Health Department Enviro Star Award in 2001. The GTECH agreement signifies a new use for the material — growing biofuel crops.
"Our Hays Mine plant is a zero-discharge facility," said Randy Pankiewicz, environmental compliance manager for Pennsylvania American Water. "Not only does our agreement with GTECH help us achieve this but it's good environmental stewardship, helping to grow crops that will be used as alternative fuels." GTECH will receive approximately 4,000–6,000 tons of residual material this year and will mix it with compost in order to add organic nutrients before planting their biofuel crops. "It's a very clean, strong topsoil," said Chris Koch, chief operating officer of GTECH. "We hope to test how well it works with other crops, such as oats and clover."
American Water Receives Contract Amendment from City of Buffalo
The City of Buffalo Water Board and the Common Council recently approved a contract amendment with American Water to continue managing the city’s water system for an additional two-year period. Under the amended contract, American Water will continue to manage, upgrade, operate and maintain the city’s water system to provide: repair and maintenance of the distribution system; water treatment and pump station operation; residuals management; customer service; billing and collections; and the repair and installation of water meters.
“American Water has effectively operated and maintained the city’s water system, resulting in positive results and significant improvements to the city's water system,” said Don Correll, president and CEO of American Water. “This successful public-private partnership demonstrates the support and solutions that American Water can offer municipalities to best manage their systems and provide reliable water service to their customers. We look forward to serving the residents of the City of Buffalo for another two years.”
After 11 years of working with American Water, the City of Buffalo recognized more than $44 million in savings through operational and financial improvements. The public-private partnership between the City of Buffalo and American Water has made significant improvements to the city's water system, including the complete automation of customer records, the design and construction of a new customer service center and a new computerized maintenance and management system.
Also, from an operational standpoint, American Water provided expertise to implement
regulatory standards, improve water quality and measure technical performance. Since the formation of the public-private partnership, finished water turbidity has gone down by 77 percent. In addition, American Water significantly reduced the 250-300 average annual main breaks and associated labor costs by installing a data system to monitor and control pump stations and a pressure relief system to manage excess pressures.
In January, American Water and the City of Buffalo received the 2008 Excellence in Public-Private Partnership Award from the U.S. Conference of Mayors. This award honors the outstanding achievements made possible through the combined effort of cities and the members of the Mayors Business Council. American Water and the City of Buffalo were honored for the positive results of a public-private partnership and significant improvements to the city's water system.
|
