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EPA Recognizes Outstanding Water Quality Achievement in Florida

Release Date: 10/16/2007
Contact Information: Contact Information: Davina Marraccini, (404) 562-8293, marraccini.davina@epa.gov

(ATLANTA – OCTOBER 16, 2007) EPA today announced the recipients of the 2007 National Clean Water Act Recognition Awards, including the Jacksonville Electric Authority in Florida. The Florida recipient was among four winners in the Southeast and 22 selected nationally. The awards are aimed at recognizing municipalities and industries for outstanding and creative technological achievements in wastewater treatment and pollution abatement programs.

“The facilities we are recognizing in the Southeast today have made outstanding contributions to safeguarding our water,” said EPA Region 4 Administrator Jimmy Palmer. “Their innovative approaches and achievements improve water quality and protect public health and the environment in the communities they serve.”

As we get ready to mark the 35th anniversary of the Clean Water Act, water quality has dramatically improved through the use of scientific standards, discharge permits, pre-treatment requirements, state and local funding and watershed planning. The National Clean Water Act Recognition Awards honor demonstrated outstanding project and program water quality achievements in four categories: operations and maintenance, exemplary biosolids management, national pre-treatment, and stormwater management.

The Jacksonville Electric Authority won first place for the national pre-treatment program in the 21 or more Significant Industrial Users category.

Each year, the awards are announced during the Water Environment Federation’s Technical Exposition and Conference. Nationally there are nine winners in the operations and maintenance category; five awardees under exemplary biosolids management; six recipients in the national pre-treatment area; and two in the stormwater management category. Winners were chosen based on water quality compliance screenings and a satisfactory environmental quality record.

Oct. 18 is the 35th anniversary of the Clean Water Act.

More information about the awards: http://epa.gov/owm/mtb/intnet.htm