June 16, 2015 -- The National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) has honored the Prince William County Service Authority's H.L. Mooney Advanced Water Reclamation Facility (AWRF), located in the city of Woodbridge, Pa., with the Platinum Peak Performance Award.
This prestigious award goes to NACWA member public utilities that have operated without a permit violation for five consecutive years. There were just 17 first-time platinum award winners nationwide this year. The Service Authority was recognized at NACWA's Summer Conference and 44th Annual Meeting in Portland, Ore., on July 15.
Each month, the Service Authority issues reports to the Commonwealth of Virginia, which runs the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) created by the Environmental Protection Agency. The system tracks everything from nitrogen and phosphorus limits to dissolved oxygen minimums, which have an impact on aquatic life.
The Mooney AWRF frequently does better than the standards set by the NPDES. For example, in 2013 phosphorus levels of the treated effluent averaged 70 parts per billion, less than half of the limit of 180 parts per billion. Too much phosphorus can cause an unhealthy buildup of algae growth in the Potomac River and, ultimately, the Chesapeake Bay. The water treated by the AWRF goes to Neabsco Creek, a tributary of the Potomac.
See also:
"VA water utilities department recognized for excellent performance"
"Water reclamation facility installs automated cleaning systems for thickener tanks"
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