(MassDEP) honored 25 public water systems
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) honored 25 public water systems in a ceremony at the Bristol County Agricultural High School in Dighton. The systems received a Massachusetts Public Drinking Water Award, which recognizes public water systems for outstanding performance in 2008.MassDEP Deputy Commissioner Gary Moran awarded the winning systems with a certificate of outstanding performance and a Governor’s Citation signed by Governor Deval Patrick.
“There are 1,743 public drinking water systems in the Commonwealth that provide nearly 500 million gallons of safe, clean drinking water to our citizens each day,” Moran said. “Today, we recognize water suppliers that have exceeded the state requirements for compliance and have done a spectacular job of delivering premium drinking water.”
The winning systems were chosen based on their compliance with state drinking water regulations. The winners had no monitoring enforcements or violations, submitted all required reports on time, adhered to good water management procedures, and have excellent source protection standards.
“This is the 17th year that the Massachusetts Water Works Association (MWWA) has collaborated with members of the water community to sponsor these awards,” said Paul Howard, president of MWWA. “It’s a day to celebrate the professionals who work so hard to make our water fit to drink. Thanks to their efforts, we enjoy the highest standards of water quality of any nation on earth.”
Water systems in Framingham, Gloucester and Springfield were awarded the STARL (Systems Taking Action to Reduce Lead) Award, which recognizes the collaborative efforts of public water systems and school systems to eliminate lead sources from the water.
Two water departments, Sharon and Westford, were presented Water Conservation awards for their outstanding ability to keep unaccounted-for water and per capita water usage to a minimum.
A new award, for energy conservation, was presented to the Cambridge Water Department for its exemplary efforts to conserve energy in a drinking water facility.
The following drinking water systems received awards:
Non-transient Non-community System
Green Meadows School, Hampden
Small Community Systems
Cheshire Water Department; East Northfield Water Company; West Brookfield Water Department
Medium and Large Community Systems
Bridgewater Water Department; Dartmouth Water Department; Easton Water Division; Halifax Water Department; Harwich Water Department; Mashpee Water District; Newburyport Water Department; Orange Water Department; Orleans Water Department; and Westford Water Department
Consecutive Systems
Boston Water and Sewer Commission; Lynnfield Water District; North Dighton Fire District; Reading Water District; and Rings Island Water District
Energy Conservation
Cambridge Water Department
Conservation Award
Sharon Water Department; Westford Water Department
Small System Security Award
Dunstable Water Department
STARL Award
Framingham Public Schools and Framingham Water Department; Gloucester Public Schools and Gloucester DPW Water Department; and The Children’s Study Home and Springfield Water and Sewer Commission
MassDEP is responsible for ensuring clean air and water, safe management and recycling of solid and hazardous wastes, timely cleanup of hazardous waste sites and spills, and the preservation of wetlands and coastal resources.
