El Paso Water was among twelve other municipal water systems honored by the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA) on October 13 at its 2020 Executive Management Conference.
“In an unprecedented year for this nation, these systems are at the forefront of providing innovative solutions to the multiple challenges a global pandemic, extreme weather events, and infrastructure gaps are creating,” said AMWA President Steve Schneider, General Manager of Saint Paul Regional Water Services.
“By supplying their communities with clean, safe, and affordable drinking water, these water utilities are helping to safeguard the nation’s health.”
El Paso Water (EPWater) was honored with Sustainable Water Utility Management Award.
AMWA officials pointed out EPW’s strategic plan objectives include strengthening financial viability, improving land and water management, increasing innovative solutions, and strengthening stakeholder partnerships. Its financial management is consistently recognized for its bond ratings, debt service, audits, budgets, and pricing structures.
“EPWater has developed aquifer storage and recovery, desalination, and future advanced water purification and importation projects, which contribute to a diversified water portfolio. Investments in flood control, water conservation, and open space preservation make EPWater a leader in environmental stewardship. The utility engages the community through payment assistance programs to help low-income seniors and low-income families financially impacted by COVID-19,” AMWA officials shared via a news release.
AMWA management awards recognize the exceptional performance of public drinking water utilities where management vision and employee commitment create sustainable utilities producing ample supplies of clean, safe drinking water.
The Sustainable Water Utility Management Award spotlights efforts of water utilities implementing long-term and innovative
economic, environmental, and social endeavors, while the Platinum Award for Utility Excellence and Gold Award for Utility Performance honor outstanding achievement in implementing the industry standard Attributes of Effective Utility Management.
AMWA awarded the 2020 Sustainable Water Utility Management Award to eight other utilities, including the starred second-time winners:
- Anaheim Public Utilities (California)
- Charleston Water System (South Carolina)
- Contra Costa Water District* (California)
- El Paso Water* (Texas)
- Greenville Water (South Carolina)
- KC Water (Missouri)
- New York City Department of Environmental Protection (New York)
- Peace River Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority (Florida)
- South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority (Connecticut)
AMWA presented three utilities with the 2020 Platinum Award for Utility Excellence:
- Central Arizona Project (Arizona)
- Great Lakes Water Authority (Michigan)
- Houston Water (Texas)
AMWA awarded the 2020 Gold Award for Exceptional Utility Performance to:
- Rochester Public Utilities (Minnesota)
The Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies is an organization of the largest publicly owned drinking water suppliers in the United States.
