WHITTIER, CA, JULY, 27, 2016 -- The Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County (Sanitation Districts) were recognized by the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) at their Summer Conference in Denver, Colorado on July 11, 2016 for excellence in wastewater treatment operations at each of the Districts' wastewater treatment facilities. NACWA is a nationally-recognized leader in environmental policy and a sought-after technical resource on water quality and ecosystem protection issues. Established in 1970, NACWA is involved in all facets of water quality protection. NACWA's Peak Performance Awards Program recognizes wastewater facilities for excellence in wastewater treatment as measured by their compliance with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit requirements.
The Peak Performance Awards Program consists of three categories -- Platinum awards recognize 100% compliance with permits over a consecutive five-year period. Gold Awards are presented to facilities with no permit violations in calendar year. Silver Awards are presented to facilities with no more than five violations in a calendar year.
The Sanitation Districts earned the Peak Performance Platinum Award for the Los Coyotes and Saugus Water Reclamation Plants, and for their largest treatment plant, The Joint Water Pollution Control Plant (JWPCP), in Carson. This is the 14th year in a row that the JWPCP has posted perfect compliance record and the 9th consecutive year it has received the Platinum Award.
The Lancaster, Palmdale, and Pomona Water Reclamation Plants each earned the Gold Award and the La Canada, Long Beach, San Jose Creek, (West and East), Valencia, and Whittier Narrows Water Reclamation Plants all earned the Silver Award.
"Serving the wastewater needs for over 5 ½ million Los Angeles County residents, while protecting public health and the environment, requires a sophisticated system with well-trained professionals. The Sanitation Districts provide this service each day, every day at a cost that is among the lowest of comparable systems throughout the country. The acknowledgement from NACWA recognizing the efforts of our staff is always appreciated," stated Grace Hyde, Chief Engineer and General Manager for the Sanitation Districts.
The Sanitation Districts' protect public health and the environment through innovative and cost-effective wastewater and solid waste management, and in doing so convert waste into resources such as reclaimed water, energy, and recycled materials. The Sanitation Districts serve about 5.5 million people in 78 cities and unincorporated portions of Los Angeles County.
