Clean Water Advocate | Summer 2020

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ADVOCATE C L E A N WAT E R

T H E N AC WA M AGA Z I N E

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Charting the Next 50 Years

The Clean Water Utility Guide to Surviving a Crisis

1970

- 2020

Responding to COVID-19 Through Community & Advocacy

YEARS

The NACWA Family – Getting Through This Together

CONTRIBUTING WR I T E R S Barbara Biggs Andrew Lee Terry Leeds Sue F. McCormick Todd Swingle Kelly Brocato Nathan Gardner-Andrews

M A N AG I N G E DI TO R David Zielonka Manager Media & Communications dzielonka@nacwa.org

A R T & DE SI G N DI R E CTO R Sarah Bixby Lead Graphic Designer sbixby@nacwa.org

PU B LI SH E D B Y The National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA)

C O N TAC T NACWA 1130 Connecticut Ave, NW Suite 1050 Washington, DC 20036 (202) 833-2672 | info@nacwa.org

MEMBERSHIP Kelly Brocato Sr. Director, Membership Development & Retention kbrocato@nacwa.org

For 50 years, the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) has been the nation’s recognized leader in legislative, regulatory and legal advocacy on the full spectrum of clean water issues.

NACWA represents public wastewater and stormwater agencies of all sizes nationwide. Our unique and growing network allows for the proactive peer-to-peer exchange of best practices and expertise and strengthens the advocacy voice for all member utilities, ensuring they have the tools necessary to provide affordable and sustainable clean water for all. Our vision is to represent every utility as a NACWA member, helping to shape a strong and resilient clean water future.

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President’s Message

Charting the Next 50 Years of Clean Water Leadership and Member Success

BY TERRY LEEDS

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The Clean Water Utility Guide to Surviving a Crisis Four NACWA Members Share Lessons Learned

BY ANDREW LEE | SEATTLE, WA SUE F. M C CORMICK | DETROIT, MI TODD SWINGLE | KISSIMMEE, FL BARBARA BIGGS | LITTLETON, CO

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Responding to COVID-19 Through Community & Advocacy

BY NATHAN GARDNER-ANDREWS

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2019 Platinum Peak Performance Award Winners

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The NACWA Family – Getting Through This Together

BY KELLY BROCATO

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CHARTING THE NEXT 50 YEARS OF CLEAN WATER LEADERSHIP AND MEMBER SUCCESS A Message from NACWA’s President Our nation has been through unprecedented upheavals in recent months. In my capacity as incoming President of NACWA and Director of KC Water, I believe that in spite of the challenges caused by a deadly pandemic and the racial divides that continue to plague our nation, we have grown and will continue to grow stronger together.

During this time, NACWA is playing — and will continue to play — an even more vibrant role in connecting us to share best practices and shape a policy landscape that grows more complex each and every day. We will do so by catering to our members' strengths of public service and an unmatched commitment to our diverse communities and our water workforce. As a utility leader, I know that the water workforce is made up of heroes. It is very important to celebrate these “H20 Heroes” and to ensure the policy landscape prioritizes

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our needs as an essential services sector.

I would like to thank NACWA's outgoing President, John Sullivan, Chief Engineer of the Boston Water & Sewer Commission, the NACWA Board of Directors, and our NACWA staff for their amazing leadership during this very challenging time. If you look at the actions that have been taken and the progress that has been made in recent months I think you will agree that it is truly remarkable.

NACWA has: •

Reversed its previous decision to raise dues 3.5% and will maintain membership dues at their current rate, in response to the revenue pressures NACWA’s public utility and private sector affiliates are facing;

•

Canceled or rescheduled all of its in-person conferences – including Water Week with over 30 partnering organizations and a much-anticipated 50th Anniversary Conference and Gala scheduled for July in Seattle — and swiftly replaced them all with high-value webinars and virtual events that have been made accessible to all members and non-member public agencies free of charge throughout this fiscal year as a benefit to the members and the water sector as a whole;

•

Ensured that the water and wastewater workforce is now deemed “essential” by key federal and state decision-making bodies; Shared amongst all member utilities’ pandemic continuity of operations plans (COOPs) that are keeping the water workforce and the communities we serve safe;

•

Advanced stimulus legislation provisions for federal grant funds for utilities that are continuing to serve low-income households despite the inability to pay their water/sewer bills and advancing affordability reform with EPA;

•

Gathered vital information on the billions of dollars of revenue loss to utilities resulting from the pandemic and the related business shutdown/unemployment crisis to maximize

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opportunities for federal funding eligibility for water/wastewater utilities;

•

Provided a forum for wastewater utility leaders to discuss the opportunities for the surveillance of COVID-19 in wastewater to provide an early warning system for the next potential pandemic hotspots;

•

Raised the “Toilets Are Not Trashcans” initiative to federal priority status as the use of wipes and other non-flushable products are even more routinely used and unfortunately flushed down the toilet; and

•

Positioned the water sector to receive a significant portion of any future jobs/stimulus/infrastructurebased federal funding.

The ability of NACWA to respond swiftly to changing national circumstances is, in my view, its greatest strength. We have influence, however, only to the extent that all utilities — large, medium and small — weigh in, through NACWA. It is my commitment to the members that we will build on what has made NACWA successful to date – aggressive and influential advocacy coupled with the sharing among an unparalleled utility leaders network capable of lifting us to a new level of public service and environmental sustainability.

I look forward to seeing everyone soon at a NACWA conference and to the resumption of something resembling “normal”. Please accept my sincere thanks for all you do. Know that my commitment will be to ensure that NACWA continues to be a relentless advocate and unparalleled peer-to-peer resource for you and the clean water sector.

T E R R Y L E E D S | N AC WA P R E S I D E N T Director, KC Water | Kansas City, MO 3

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THE CLEAN WATER UTILITY GUIDE TO SURVIVING A CRISIS Four NACWA Members Share Lessons Learned

ANDREW LEE

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S E AT T L E , W A

S U E F. Mc C O R M I C K TODD SWINGLE BARBARA BIGGS

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D E T R O I T, M I

KISSIMMEE, FL |

LITTLETON, CO

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Decisive Leadership Charts a Path Forward for Utilities in Early Hotspot

BY ANDREW LEE

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S E AT T L E , W A

he first confirmed coronavirus

coordinated with city, county and state partners to

case in the US was in

deliver timely, consistent and accurate information

Washington state, and the first

to the public and our employees.

epicenter was the Seattle region. Like municipalities across the country, the City of

Seattle scrambled to respond safely and effectively to the emerging threat. We were fortunate for the leadership of Mayor Jenny Durkan and Governor Jay Inslee, who responsibly enacted the recommendations of public health experts as it evolved.

were issued guidelines on social distancing and sanitizing shared facilities and vehicles. Travel was limited to essential travel only. Crews began dispatching remotely, staggering start and end times and limiting vehicle occupancy to one person. Office staff were asked and equipped to telework wherever feasible. To prepare supervisors, we provided protocols for different coronavirus

Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) provides solid waste

exposure scenarios. To protect customers, we

and wastewater services and delivers clean

eliminated water shutoffs, allowed longer, more

drinking water to over 1.4 million customers.

flexible payment plans, and expanded fast-track

Our team knows these services form the basis of

self-certification into our Utility Discount Program.

any successful response to infectious disease. So, when King County confirmed its first coronavirus death in late February, SPU immediately mobilized the Incident Command System to centralize and streamline COVID-19 planning, logistics and communications. We updated our Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) to minimize the risk of any interruption to our most essential services.

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Within the first two weeks of March, employees

The COOP helped us identify essential employees – operations and maintenance crews, customer support staff, and others – and ensure they had the tools and support they would need. Finally, we

Within three weeks, we closed non-essential facilities and customer service counters, prohibited non-essential visitors to our facilities and issued public health guidelines for those interacting with our essential employees in the field. We offered paid leave for employees who were medically or demographically at-risk for COVID-19 – or who took care of someone at-risk – and pooled sick-leave donations in case a colleague needed extra help.

Within a month, Governor Inslee issued his “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order and all non-essential

TO THANK OUR ESSENTIAL EMPLOYEES, WE CREATED THE GRATITUDE PROJECT.

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businesses were shut down. The City activated its

COVID-19 has caused tremendous suffering, but

COOP and City departments wound down all non-

also demonstrated our capacity to collectively

essential operations. Employees reporting to City

overcome extraordinary challenges. The creativity,

facilities were required to complete health checks

dedication and optimism I have seen in my city

before work. We made scheduling changes, allowing

and in SPU employees gives me reason for hope

employees to work in smaller teams for longer

that we can make progress on other hard problems

hours, with extended breaks between work weeks.

like waste and water pollution, climate change,

We provided new tools to help make teleworking

and racial and economic injustice. This crisis

more possible, efficient and secure for our

has presented an opportunity for us to see our

employees. To thank our essential employees, we

relationship to each other and to the environment

created the Gratitude Project – a communications

more clearly and to come together to bring change.

campaign delivering public messages of

At Seattle Public Utilities, we are excited for this

appreciation and encouragement.

opportunity and eager to discover what we can

In mid-May, at the direction of our Governor and

accomplish together with our community.

Mayor, we began transitioning back to more regular operations. Guidance from the Washington State Department of Health has been invaluable. During

Andrew Lee is Deputy Director at Seattle Public Utilities.

the recovery phase, health protocols, temperature checks, and social distancing guidelines have remained vital to protecting the health and safety of the public and our employees.

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Great Lakes Water Authority’s Successful Crisis Response Lies in the Ability to Evolve B Y S U E F. M CC O R M I C K

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D E T R O I T, M I

he coronavirus pandemic has

of Directors, team members, member partner

created challenges that our

communities, and other stakeholders. Early on,

sector has not experienced

we established a regular cadence of consistent

during my four-decade career.

communication, first daily and now once or twice a

We have had to set aside many

week. For example, our weekly CEO Update shares

of the ways we work and adapt

critical information and allows me to express

quickly and creatively without a rule book.

Our sector is often seen as slow to adapt. We are risk averse because practices that assure our outcomes

compassion in our team members throughout this challenging time.

protect public health and the environment and are

As it relates to operational changes, we have

critical to the economy in our communities.

remained focused on those same two established

I believe that the Great Lakes Water Authority, a

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my gratitude and acknowledge the passion and

priorities.

regional water and wastewater treatment services

With these priorities in mind, we have done what

provider for approximately 3.8 million people

many others have: suspended non-critical business

in southeast Michigan, has been successful in

travel and visitors to our sites, placed approximately

its response to the COVID-19 pandemic because

one third of our team members on flexible work

we have understood that like with any crisis, our

arrangements, implemented a visitor questionnaire

response must evolve as the situation evolves. Over

and temperature checks, staggered start times,

the course of this pandemic, we have focused on

instituted one person per vehicle limits, and many

two priorities: 1) our team members’ health and

other operational adjustments – some of which we

safety, and 2) assuring our continuity of operations

borrowed from our peers at NACWA. Most recently

and service levels. Our evolution will continue with

we began on-site COVID-19 testing for our team

these same priorities as we move from response to

members working at our water and wastewater

recovery to reconstitution.

operating facilities.

We have identified a few keys to success in our

We have also supported our team members and

organization. First, we immediately opened

their families with their overall well-being. In

our Emergency Operations Center and began

addition to the services included in our Employee

holding daily calls that have kept all areas of the

Assistance Program and Health Care Benefit

organization in sync, provided for quick and

Providers, we have sought out mindfulness/

seamless adjustments, assured procurement of

meditation resources, distress hotlines and a host of

essential items and allowed us to be one step ahead

other family-focused resources.

of orders that have been issued at the local, state and federal levels.

With the situation stabilizing, we are now shifting our focus to what a ‘new normal’ might look like.

Another key to success has been clear, honest

The reconstitution plan we are developing will take

and concise communications with our Board

a measured approach to assure we do not create a

problem where there is not one now. Rather than returning everyone to the workplace at once, it will be more gradual, and we will measure our success our region.

Each facility and each Area, Group and Team in the organization is identifying priorities for those who should return from remote workplaces based on operational need. Our planning includes actively seeking input/concerns from our team members and our bargaining units.

The timing of our return to work is yet to be determined. It will depend largely on our state’s Declaration of Emergency and Stay Home, Stay Safe Executive Order, but moreover, our confidence that we can accomplish returning our team members that have been working remotely in a manner that ensures everyone’s well-being and the interests of

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against the benchmarks in the general population in

the communities we serve.

Sue F. McCormick is the Chief Executive Officer at Great Lakes Water Authority and a member of NACWA's Board of Directors.

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Combatting COVID-19 Through Care and Compassion in Central Florida

BY TODD SWINGLE

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ourism, a mainstay of the

Early on, we identified the need to expand our

Central Florida economy,

remote work policies, and employees were

plummeted as once-thriving

encouraged to take advantage of these if they were

theme parks were shuttered

eligible and able. Essential staff members at our

and tens of thousands lost their

13 water and 8 wastewater treatment plants, as

jobs due to the impact of COVID-

well as field services teams, continued to report to

19 throughout the country. Over the course of only a

work due to the nature of their positions. However,

few weeks, the domino effect of contagion could

reporting times, reporting locations and other

have sidelined our utility, which serves over 100,000

operational plans were adjusted to provide as safe

connections. Instead, we took an adaptive stance

an environment as possible.

from the get-go. Our mission: provide calm

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reassurance to our employees and customers.

Effective communications became even more of a cornerstone for our utility. The fluidity of the

Our overarching operations goal throughout the

ongoing situation was one of many challenges we

crisis has been to provide as much flexibility to the

were forced to address early on. In doing so, we

organization as possible so that we could continue

embraced uncertainty, realizing that it is okay not

to deliver the services that our customers depend on

to have all the answers. Messages were shared with

while keeping everyone safe. Every supervisor and

the understanding that the information presented

team member were encouraged to identify solutions

is what was known at the time but would most

within overall organizational guidelines that fit their

certainly change based on new information from

teams and continued to achieve both of these goals.

health officials and our local governments.

Internally, we used a variety of tools – from regular

addition to suspending disconnects, additional

email updates and policy materials to talking

financial commitments were added to our

points – to keep our 300+ person workforce abreast

community assistance program to help those who

of the latest information. The top priority was

found themselves facing new financial concerns to

ensuring that the employees were aware of what

pay their water bills.

safety steps were being taken. All-hands calls were organized and offered at different times of the day to accommodate schedules, and employees were given the opportunity to submit questions in advance or live during the calls.

As the situation evolved, our employees stepped up. A weekly light-hearted email update called “A Drop of Positivity,” featuring recipes, jokes, puzzles, and more was created to keep employees smiling.

Check-in phone calls were initiated by Human Resources. It sounds like a small gesture, but it helped the well-being of many in the workforce.

With this in mind, we quickly learned that external

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EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATIONS BECAME EVEN MORE OF A CORNERSTONE FOR OUR UTILITY.

communications should be created with empathy and compassion. Concerns and perspectives will vary, but how individuals are treated will have a lasting impact.

Overall, our utility learned how to adapt, trust more in each other and focus on finding hope. We made sure to be respectful and do the right thing by our staff and our customers, which will be remembered most as reopening unfolds and beyond. We do not know what the future will hold, but the lessons learned and the approach of adapt, communicate,

Throughout the situation, the commitment of Toho’s

and care will be central to our efforts moving

people and families never wavered. Taking the time

forward.

to acknowledge and thank people meant more than ever.

While managing all these internal concerns, we

Todd Swingle is the Executive Director at Toho Water

never lost sight that providing additional customer

Authority and a member of NACWA's Board of Directors.

value is front and center for our organization. In

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Foresight and Planning: The Keys to Navigating the Pandemic for Small Utilities

BY BARBARA BIGGS

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LITTLETON, CO

have been able to practice social distancing, and

District (RoxWSD) is a small

field staff have gotten very creative at completing

water and wastewater utility

necessary maintenance in a stepwise fashion that

serving a foothills suburb

allows them to work together, apart.

southwest of Denver. The District has a population of

11,000 residents but also serves as the contract operator for a nearby fast-growing development projected to have 30,000 residents at build-out. We operate a 6 MGD water treatment plant, distribution system, two wastewater lift stations, and 68 miles of wastewater collection and transmission lines.

RoxWSD is a small utility with a very lean, but efficient operations team. The Director of Operations manages a staff of 4 operators to run the water treatment plant and wastewater lift stations.

He also manages the Field Superintendent and three Field Technicians that keep the distribution, collection and transmission systems running smoothly. With an Operations team of 9, there isn’t much room for one or two people to get sick and still keep things running smoothly.

Throughout the month of April, all Operations staff went to a split team, one week on/one week off schedule. While we didn’t have Operations staff quarantine on-site, all staff were asked to selfquarantine at home to the best of their ability when off-duty, and to use their off-duty weeks to complete training, study for certification exams and work on Standard Operating Procedures. This did, however, mean that routine maintenance was deferred during the time staffing was reduced.

By early May when Colorado transitioned from “Stay at Home” to “Safer at Home,” it was obvious we needed to bring Operations personnel back to full staffing. Summer is a busy season for a staff this

Financially, RoxWSD is fortunate to be in a sound position. Like most utilities, we stopped water shutoffs and assessing late fees in March. To date, we’ve seen lost revenue of approximately $10,000 from suspended late fees and penalties. We have seen a noticeable increase in past due accounts.

Unemployment in Colorado has gone from 2.5% to 11.3%, so it’s going to be difficult for some of these folks to get caught up. Hopefully, future COVID-19 response legislation will help them out, but if not, we will do our best to work with them to get caught up.

Luckily, we are just finishing an update to our Master Plan and had already identified a number

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oxborough Water and Sanitation

of capital projects to address aging infrastructure and capacity limitations, and we had the foresight to include those projects on the state’s eligibility list for SRF funding last year. As a result, we will be well-positioned to take advantage of infrastructure funding included in both the Safe Drinking and Clean Water SRFs. Probably the biggest challenge for a small utility like RoxWSD during the pandemic has been the multiple roles our employees have to juggle. For example, the Director of Operations is also the Operator in Responsible Charge and Director of Emergency Management and Response, and the General Manager is also the Communications Specialist, Governmental Affairs Officer and Regulatory Compliance Officer. It’s part of the fun of working at a small utility but it does give you lots of 3:00 a.m. moments!

small – water demand increases dramatically when the water treatment plant goes from operating 16 days in March to 7 days a week in May. Luckily, we haven’t had any sick employees. We

Barbara Biggs is the General Manager for Roxborough Water and Sanitation District.

also haven’t had any trouble obtaining PPE or experienced any chemical shortages. Operators 13

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H2O HEROES

Search for #H2OHEROES on Twitter for more Clean Water Heroes!

F R I E N D LY R E M I N D E R . . .

TOILETS ARE NOT TRASHCANS

Visit flush3P.org for more information!

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RESPONDING TO COVID-19 THROUGH COMMUNITY & ADVOCACY B Y N AT H A N G A R D N E R - A N D R E W S

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he COVID-19 pandemic has

utilities already dealing with the virus inform

upended normal life across

those that were just beginning their planning and

the United States and around

preparations. This first started with a teleconference

the globe. It has forced

among NACWA’s Board of Directors, followed soon

governments, including

thereafter by a national webinar in early April on

the municipal clean water

clean water utility COVID-19 response issues which

community, and the private sector to fundamentally

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rethink how they operate and serve the public.

had over 1000 participants.

NACWA members also banded together from the

But despite all these disruptions, NACWA’s members

beginning of the pandemic to share resources online

have come together, showing amazing resilience in

via a COVID-19 Resources webpage set up on the

the face of the pandemic, to support one another

NACWA website. Various kinds of utility documents

as a clean water community in our shared goal

including Continuity of Operations Plans (COOPs),

of protecting public health and the environment.

Emergency Response Plans (ERPs), outreach to staff,

They have accomplished this through peer-to-peer

media messaging, HR policies to address telework

sharing and a heightened commitment to advocate

and leave considerations, and other relevant

for clean water priorities.

information were shared by members and posted on the page. Members also used NACWA’s online

Initial Pandemic Response In the early days of the outbreak, NACWA members quickly began sharing information with each other on a variety of operational and management challenges presented by the virus. Given that the outbreak hit certain parts of the county, mainly

Engage platform to share resources and engage in multiple discussion threads on issues ranging from personal protective equipment (PPE) for staff to potential revenue losses from the economic impacts to disinfectant procedures for cleaning fleet vehicles.

the West Coast, before it did other parts, NACWA

As the pandemic has evolved, NACWA and its

was able to play a valuable role in facilitating

members have continued to find ways to support

utility-to-utility peer conversations to help those

one another from an operational standpoint but also

through maintaining a strong sense of community.

home orders. NACWA’s advocacy also led to a press

Since public health considerations forced NACWA

statement from EPA reminding all Americans not

to cancel all its in-person conferences through the

to flush non-flushable items down the sewer during

end of 2020, the Association has instead held a

the pandemic – an important message given the

number of virtual events drawing record crowds as

influx of inappropriate items being flushed as a

we transitioned to a virtual Water Week focused on

result of widespread toilet paper shortages.

our national clean water advocacy priorities and webinars focused on pretreatment issues, strategic communications, legal/regulatory challenges and others. Many of NACWA’s standing committees have also met virtually to discuss both COVID-19 issues and other clean water priorities.

Advocacy Engagement

On the Congressional advocacy side, NACWA members have sent countless letters to Members of Congress telling individual stories about the revenue and other impacts on their utilities and their communities from COVID-19. In line with this, NACWA helped spearhead two broad water sector letters to Congress – one in March and one in May – highlighting the key needs of the sector in response

While NACWA members have gone above and

to the coronavirus and how the federal government

beyond in recent months to aid one another during

can best assist.

the pandemic, they have also significantly upped their advocacy game to make sure the needs of the public clean water community have been front and center in the federal government’s COVID-19

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AS THE PANDEMIC HAS EVOLVED, NACWA AND ITS MEMBERS HAVE CONTINUED TO FIND WAYS TO SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER.

One of the key factors expressed by NACWA members in their outreach has been the financial impacts on utilities due to the massive economic

response.

disruption from the pandemic. With many

Early on during the outbreak, NACWA successfully

restaurants and other commercial establishments

helped to get public works personnel designated

closed or dealing with dramatically reduced

as “emergency responders” under the Families

demand for extended periods of time, many utilities

First Coronavirus Response Act and securing a

estimated likely annualized revenue losses of 20%

designation from EPA, the Department of Homeland

or more. At the same time, NACWA members have

Security and the Department of Labor that water

been extremely proactive in ensuring all households

and wastewater utility workers were “essential

have access to clean water for basic hygiene and

workers” as it related to exceptions to state stay-at-

sanitation during the outbreak – even if users are

businesses, offices, factories, airports, train stations,

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NACWA has estimated the 18

unable to pay – absorbing these costs on top of the significantly reduced revenue.

NACWA has estimated that, on a national basis, the economic impact of COVID-19 on the public clean water sector could top $16 billion. The loss of revenue could be potentially devastating to some utilities, requiring massive rate increases in the

economic impact of COVID19 on the public clean water sector could top

$16 billion N AT I O N A L LY

future to make up for these losses and ensure basic operation and maintenance needs are met.

But the impact of these potential rate increases will only exacerbate affordability challenges in many communities, most directly hurting those

to better understand the disease and its presence in individual communities.

households that have already been most impacted

NACWA will continue to advocate strongly with

by COVID-19 and its economic repercussions.

the federal government and Congress to ensure

NACWA has been active in informing Members of

the needs of the public clean water community

Congress that federal assistance is not only needed

are addressed as the nation recovers from the

in the short-term to help utilities maintain service to

pandemic. As of press time, Congress had not yet

low-income households, but that the overall revenue

included a specific allocation of funding for the

shortfall at utilities also must be addressed to avoid

water sector in any final COVID-19 relief package –

even worse affordability challenges for these same

although the House of Representatives did include

households in the medium to long-term.

$1.5 billion for water and wastewater utilities to assist low-income households in its HEROES Act

What Comes Next NACWA, like the rest of the world, has no clear idea of where things are headed as it relates to COVID19, slowing its spread, and returning to some sense

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of “normalcy” in social and economic life. NACWA

passed in May. The good news is that the sector is well-positioned to be included in future legislative packages, especially any jobs or stimulus bills, and Congress will likely need to continue addressing COVID-19 issues well into 2021.

and its members mourn the loss of hundreds of

While the pandemic has challenged the municipal

thousands of lives across the globe – including its

clean water community like nothing before in recent

victims in the clean water community – and are

memory, NACWA and its members are proving to

redoubling their efforts to protect public health and

be up to the task. And as NACWA starts its next

the environment.

50 years of service representing public clean

On the operational and management side, NACWA’s members will continue to share and exchange information with each as more becomes

water agencies, it and its members will use these challenging times as a foundation to chart another five decades of clean water progress and success.

known about the virus and we have new ways of responding to it and managing it within our utilities. One approach that is being more broadly

Nathan Gardner-Andrews is the General Counsel & Chief

deployed during the pandemic tracks the presence

Advocacy Officer at NACWA.

of COVID-19 in wastewater. While the efficacy of these techniques is still evolving, it could allow utilities to partner with local public health officials

C E L E B R AT I N G 5 0 Y E A R S O F C L E A N WAT E R S U C C E S S

2019 PLATINUM PEAK PERFORMANCE AWARD WINNERS*

The Peak Performance Awards recognize Member Agency facilities for excellence in wastewater treatment as measured by compliance with their NPDES permit, as well as those facilities that operate under a federal or state equivalent NPDES permit, an underground injection control permit, or a state control mechanism that regulates effluent quality and reuse of reclaimed flows. This award program offers national recognition for the hard work and commitment to excellence NACWA members put forth everyday on behalf of the environment and their communities. The following NACWA Member Agency facilities have achieved perfect compliance consecutively for five or more years.

*This is an incomplete list of award winners. Due to the pandemic, NACWA extended the deadline and at press time we were still evaluating applications.

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2 0 1 9

P L A T I N U M

P E A K

P E R F O R M A N C E

Beaufort Jasper Water & Sewer Authority, SC Laurel Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant

Platinum 05

Beaufort Jasper Water & Sewer Authority, SC Palm Key Wastewater Treatment Plant

Platinum 05

Beaufort Jasper Water & Sewer Authority, SC Port Royal Water Reclamation Facility

A W A R D S

W I N N E R S

Town of Cary, NC | North Cary Water Reclamation Facility

Platinum 07

Town of Cary, NC | South Cary Water Reclamation Facility

Platinum 07

City of Gresham, OR | Gresham Wastewater Treatment Plant

Platinum 08

Platinum 05

Clark County Water Reclamation District, NV Flamingo Water Resource Center

Platinum 08

Hampton Roads Sanitation District, VA | Atlantic Treatment Plant

Platinum 05

DC Water, DC | Blue Plains Wastewater Treatment

Platinum 08

Jefferson County Commission, AL Five Mile Creek Water Reclamation Facility

Platinum 05

Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources, GA Yellow River Water Reclamation Facility

Platinum 08

Jefferson County Commission, AL Norman R. Skinner Water Reclamation Facility

Platinum 05

Johnson County Wastewater, KS | New Century Air Center Plant

Platinum 08

Joint Facility/Colchester-East Hampton, CT Colchester/East Hampton Water Pollution Control Facility

Platinum 08

Platinum 05

Little Rock Water Reclamation Authority, AR Adams Field Wastewater Treatment Plant

KC Water, MO | KC Rocky Branch Sewage Treatment Plant

Platinum 05

Metropolitan Council Environmental Services, MN Metropolitan Wastewater Treatment Facility

Platinum 08

Little Rock Water Reclamation Authority, AR Fourche Creek Water Reclamation Facility

Platinum 05

NEW Water, WI | De Pere Facility

Platinum 08

Novato Sanitary District, CA | Novato Wastewater Treatment Plant

Platinum 08

Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District, MO | Grand Glaize Treatment Plant

Platinum 05

Raleigh Water, NC | Little Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant

Platinum 05

Renewable Water Resources, SC Piedmont Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant

Platinum 08

Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County, CA Lancaster Water Reclamation Plant

Platinum 05

Spartanburg Sanitary Sewer District, SC Community of Fingerville Wastewater Treatment Facility

Platinum 08

Town of Cary, NC | Western Wake Regional Wastewater Management Facility

Platinum 05

Platinum 09

Beaufort Jasper Water & Sewer Authority, SC Point South Wastewater Treatment Plant

King County Department of Natural Resources & Parks, WA Vashon Treatment Plant

Platinum 06

Platinum 09

City and County of Honolulu, HI | Kahuku Wastewater Treatment Plant

Platinum 06

North Texas Municipal Water District, TX Panther Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant

City and County of Honolulu, HI | Laie Water Reclamation Facility

Platinum 06

Philadelphia Water Department, PA | Southwest Water Pollution Control Plant

Platinum 09

City and County of Honolulu, HI | Paalaa Kai Wastewater Treatment Plant

Platinum 06

Renewable Water Resources, SC | Pelham Water Resource Recovery Facility

Platinum 09

City of Fort Collins Utilities, CO | Drake Water Reclamation Facility

Platinum 06

Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County, CA Los Coyotes Water Reclamation Plant

Platinum 09

City of Fort Collins Utilities, CO | Mulberry Water Reclamation Facility

Platinum 06

WSSC Water, MD | Hyattstown Wastewater Treatment Plant

Platinum 09

City of Garland, TX | Duck Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant

Platinum 06

City of Johnson City, TN | Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant

Platinum 10

City of Johnson City, TN | Knob Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant

Platinum 06

City of Springfield, MO | Northwest Clean Water Plant

Platinum 10

City of Pueblo, CO | James R. Dilorio Water Reclamation Facility

Platinum 06

Platinum 10

Colorado Springs Utilities, CO | JD Phillips Water Resource Recovery Facility

Platinum 06

Orange Water & Sewer Authority, NC Mason Farm Wastewater Treatment Plant

Colorado Springs Utilities, CO Las Vegas Street Water Resource Recovery Facility

Platinum 06

Tulsa Metropolitan Utility Authority, OK Lower Bird Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant

Platinum 10

El Paso Water Utilities Public Service Board, TX Fred Hervey Water Reclamation Plant

City of Lawrence, KS | Lawrence Kansas River Wastewater Treatment Facility

Platinum 11

Platinum 06

Platinum 11

Fairfield-Suisun Sewer District, CA Fairfield-Suisun Sewer District Wastewater Treatment Plant

City of Phoenix Water Services Department, AZ 23rd Avenue Wastewater Treatment Plant

Platinum 06

Pine Bluff Wastewater Utility, AR | Boyd Point Treatment Facility

Platinum 11

Hampton Roads Sanitation District, VA | James River Treatment Plant

Platinum 06

Platinum 11

Johnson County Wastewater, KS | Douglas L. Smith Middle Basin Plant

Platinum 06

Prince William County Service Authority, VA H.L. Mooney Advanced Water Reclamation Facility

KC Water, MO | KC Fishing River Wastewater Treatment Facility

Platinum 06

South Platte Water Renewal Partners, SC South Platte Water Renewal Partners

Platinum 11

Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District, MO Missouri River Wastewater Treatment Plant

Platinum 06

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, IL John E. Egan Water Reclamation Plant

Platinum 06

Union Sanitary District, CA | Alvarado Boege Waste Water Treatment Plant

Platinum 11

Charlotte Water, NC | McAlpine Creek Wastewater Management Facility

Platinum 12

Hampton Roads Sanitation District, VA | York River Treatment Plant

Platinum 12

Jefferson County Commission, AL | Warrior Wastewater Treatment Plant

Platinum 12

Louisville & Jefferson County Metropolitan Sewer District, KY Cedar Creek Water Quality Treatment Center

Platinum 12

Spartanburg Sanitary Sewer District, SC Cowpens-Pacolet River Wastewater Treatment Facility

Platinum 06

Anne Arundel County Department of Public Works, MD Maryland City Water Reclamation Facility

Platinum 07

Charlotte Water, NC | McDowell Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant

Platinum 07

Metropolitan Council Environmental Services, MN Empire Wastewater Treatment Facility

Platinum 12

Citizens Energy Group, IN | Belmont Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant

Platinum 07

Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District, MO | Fenton Treatment Plant

Platinum 12

Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District, MO | Lower Meramec Treatment Plant

Platinum 12

Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission, OR Eugene/Springfield Water Pollution Control Facility

Platinum 12

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, IL Hanover Park Water Reclamation Plant

Platinum 12

Pima County Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department, AZ Mt. Lemmon Wastewater Reclamation Facility

Platinum 12

Stony Brook Regional Sewerage Authority, NJ Hopewell Wastewater Treatment Plant

Platinum 12

Clark County Water Reclamation District, NV Laughlin Water Resource Center

Platinum 07

Orange County Sanitation District, CA Reclamation Plant No. 1 and Treatment Plant No. 2

Platinum 07

Renewable Water Resources, SC Gilder Creek Water Resource Recovery Facility

Platinum 07

Spartanburg Sanitary Sewer District, SC Clifton Wastewater Treatment Facility

Platinum 07

Spartanburg Sanitary Sewer District, SC Page Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility

Platinum 07

2 0 1 9

P L A T I N U M

P E A K

P E R F O R M A N C E

Stony Brook Regional Sewerage Authority, NJ Pennington Wastewater Treatment Plant

Platinum 12

The Metropolitan District, CT | East Hartford Water Pollution Control Facility

Platinum 12

Upper Trinity Regional Water District, TX Riverbend Regional Water Reclamation Plant

Platinum 12

Bloomington-Normal Water Reclamation District, IL J. Michael Callahan Southeast Wastewater Treatment Facility

Platinum 13

Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, MA | Deer Island Treatment Plant

Platinum 13

San Jacinto River Authority, TX San Jacinto River Authority Wastewater Treatment Facility No.3

Platinum 13

City of Aurora Water Department, CO | Sand Creek Water Reuse Facility

Platinum 14

City of Springfield, MO | Southwest Wastewater Treatment Plant

Platinum 14

Johnson County Wastewater, KS | Blue River Main Plant

Platinum 14

Metropolitan Council Environmental Services, MN Blue Lake Wastewater Treatment Facility

Platinum 14

Metropolitan Council Environmental Services, MN Eagles Point Wastewater Treatment Facility

Platinum 14

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, IL Terrence J. O'Brien (North Side) Water Reclamation Plant

Platinum 14

A W A R D S

W I N N E R S

Hampton Roads Sanitation District, VA | Boat Harbor Treatment Plant

Platinum 18

Hampton Roads Sanitation District, VA | Nansemond Treatment Plant

Platinum 18

Trinity River Authority of Texas, TX Ten Mile Creek Regional Wastewater System

Platinum 18

Morgantown Utility Board, WV | Morgantown Wastewater Treatment Plant

Platinum 19

Central Davis Sewer District, UT | Central Davis Sewer District

Platinum 20

East Bay Municipal Utility District, CA East Bay Municipal Utility District Special District No. 1

Platinum 20

Philadelphia Water Department, PA | Southeast Water Pollution Control Plant

Platinum 20

Stony Brook Regional Sewerage Authority, NJ River Road Wastewater Treatment Facility

Platinum 20

Trinity River Authority of Texas, TX Red Oak Creek Regional Wastewater System

Platinum 20

WSSC Water, MD | Damascus Wastewater Treatment Plant

Platinum 20

City of Las Vegas, NV | Water Pollution Control Facility

Platinum 21

Hanover County Department of Public Utilities, VA Ashland Wastewater Treatment Plant

Platinum 21

Morgantown Utility Board, WV | Cheat Lake Wastewater Treatment Plant

Platinum 21 Platinum 21

Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner, MI Walled Lake-Novi Wastewater Treatment Plant

Platinum 14

Secaucus Municipal Utilities Authority, NJ Koelle Boulevard Wastewater Treatment Facility

Renewable Water Resources, SC Slater-Marietta Water Resource Recovery Facility

Platinum 14

Upper Trinity Regional Water District, TX Lakeview Regional Water Reclamation Plant

Platinum 21

WSSC Water, MD | Parkway Water Resource Recovery Facility

Platinum 14

Platinum 22

WSSC Water, MD | Seneca Wastewater Treatment Plant

Platinum 14

Central Contra Costa Sanitary District, CA Central Contra Costa Sanitary District

City of Houston, TX | Homestead Wastewater Treatment Facility

Platinum 15

City of Cumming, GA | Bethelview Road Advanced Water Reclamation Facility

Platinum 22

Hanover County Department of Public Utilities, VA Totopotomoy Wastewater Treatment Plant

Platinum 15

City of Tacoma Environmental Services Department, WA North End Treatment Plant

Platinum 22

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, IL James C. Kirie Water Reclamation Plant

Platinum 15

King County Department of Natural Resources & Parks, WA South Treatment Plant

Platinum 22

Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner, MI Commerce Township Wastewater Treatment Plant

Platinum 15

Anne Arundel County Department of Public Works, MD Broadwater Water Reclamation Facility

Platinum 23

Raleigh Water, NC | Smith Creek Resource Recovery Facility

Platinum 15

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, IL Lemont Water Reclamation Plant

Platinum 23

Trinity River Authority of Texas, TX Denton Creek Regional Wastewater System

Platinum 15

Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District, WI South Shore Water Reclamation Facility

Platinum 23

Upper Occoquan Service Authority, VA Millard H. Robbins, Jr. Water Reclamation Plant

Platinum 15

Ocean County Utilities Authority, NJ Southern Water Pollution Control Facility

Platinum 23

Citizens Energy Group, IN | Southport Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant

Platinum 16

Hampton Roads Sanitation District, VA | Virginia Initiative Plant

Platinum 24

City of Henderson, NV | Kurt R. Segler Water Reclamation Facility

Platinum 16

Hampton Roads Sanitation District, VA | Williamsburg Treatment Plant

Platinum 25

Clean Water Services, OR Rock Creek Advanced Wastewater Treatment Facility

Platinum 16

Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities, UT Salt Lake City Water Reclamation Facility

Platinum 26

County of Stafford Department of Utilities, VA Little Falls Run Wastewater Treatment Facility

Platinum 16

Trinity River Authority of Texas, TX | Central Regional Wastewater System

Platinum 26

Pima County Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department, AZ Green Valley Water Reclamation Facility

Platinum 16

Metropolitan Council Environmental Services, MN St Croix Valley Wastewater Treatment Facility

Platinum 28

Renewable Water Resources, SC Mauldin Road Water Resource Recovery Facility

Platinum 16

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, IL Calumet Water Reclamation Plant

Platinum 28

Snyderville Basin Water Reclamation District, UT East Canyon Water Reclamation Facility

Platinum 16

Metropolitan Council Environmental Services, MN Hastings Wastewater Treatment Facility

Platinum 29

Upper Trinity Regional Water District, TX Peninsula Regional Water Reclamation Plant

Ocean County Utilities Authority, NJ | Central Water Pollution Control Facility

Platinum 29

Platinum 16

Platinum 30

NEW Water, WI | Green Bay Facility

Platinum 17

City of Ames Water & Pollution Control Department, IA Water Pollution Control Facility

Raleigh Water, NC | Neuse River Resource Recovery Facility

Platinum 17

Hanover Sewerage Authority , NJ Hanover Sewerage Authority Wastewater Treatment Plant

Platinum 31

Snyderville Basin Water Reclamation District, UT Silver Creek Water Reclamation Facility

Platinum 17

West County Wastewater District, CA | Water Pollution Control Plant

Platinum 17

City and County of Honolulu, HI | Waianae Wastewater Treatment Plant

Platinum 18

Clean Water Services, OR | Forest Grove Wastewater Treatment Facility

Platinum 18

Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources, GA Crooked Creek Water Reclamation Facility

Platinum 18

Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources, GA F. Wayne Hill Water Resources Center

Platinum 18

NACWA would like to congratulate these outstanding facilities as well as the hundreds of additional Member Agency facilities who achieved Gold and/or Silver Peak Performance honors. Thank you for your commitment to clean water, your community and the environment. A full listing of Peak Performance winners will be available by the end of August at nacwa.org/peak.

22

THE NACWA FAMILY – GETTING THROUGH THIS TOGETHER B Y K E L L Y B R O C AT O

I

t is not uncommon to hear

Some key features of membership that play an

NACWA CEO, Adam Krantz, say

integral role in bringing our members together

to a new member, “Welcome to

during this time include:

the Family” or to a long-time member, “Thanks for being a part of our Family”. At NACWA,

that’s how we think of the women and men who run our 300+ member utilities and nearly 150 affiliate companies, law firms and supporting organizations – the NACWA Family.

Without a doubt, the last five months have been a challenging time, but like so many families during T H E C L E A N WAT E R A D V O C AT E | S U M M E R 2 0 2 0

this pandemic, we have found new ways to come together, stay connected and support one another through this crisis. In this time of distancing, NACWA ensured additional peer-to-peer connection and collaboration continued unabated. NACWA’s relentless advocacy in Washington, DC on behalf of our member agencies has had to be even more aggressive as opportunities continue to unfold with incredible speed. NACWA’s leadership and members have responded with unprecedented engagement and support, leveraging their influence with their Members of Congress and federal government agencies to advance a shared agenda.

• NACWA’s online Engage Network has hosted conversations that range from how to protect the utility workforce that remains working in-person, to how to prepare for the return to normal operations as well as multiple discussions on technical and communications issues.

• Complimentary webinars on a range of topics including pandemic response, legal and regulatory issues, pretreatment, strategic communications, and more have provided consistent opportunities to share and learn. Thousands of participants have engaged in these free offerings – expanding our audience far beyond the reach of our traditional in-person meetings.

• The Association’s dedicated COVID-19 Resource page which has provided templates to support utility continuity of operations and best practice documents shared by public agency members of all sizes nationwide.

• Monthly regulatory updates and frequent Advocacy Alerts have provided templates for contacting Congress regarding utility needs regulatory developments.

• Consistent media outreach and social media campaigns highlighting our members as Clean Water Heroes and bringing attention to issues such as Toilets Are Not Trashcans and funding gaps as they relate to utility service and infrastructure needs.

The value of NACWA is best summarized by the words of one of our members, Charles E. Hyland, Director of Mobile Area Water & Sewer System in Alabama, “The NACWA webinars, Engage, and other resources have been very helpful to me during these very challenging times. It is great to have others. . . take the time to share their thoughts, experiences and information to help us address our problems.

I know they are all busy dealing with a variety of issues and it says a lot about the character of our members that they would share their time to help others.”

While we had hoped to be with the NACWA Family this summer celebrating our 50th Anniversary, sharing memories and accomplishments, we will come together next summer to celebrate our 50th anniversary and 2020 as a hallmark year of unity, collaboration, perseverance, and diversity as an association and a sector.

Staying strong despite separation – with members and staff working together to not only address these challenges but to come out the other side as a more effective sector – is the NACWA Family way.

As a Family, NACWA felt strongly that it could not remain silent in light of the racial justice issues in our country that have further come to light over the last several months. On June 4th, NACWA devoted its entire weekly Current to the following message of solidarity: NACWA is devoting this issue of the Current to an expression of our solidarity with those seeking to end racism and all its forms of injustice in our country and who are demanding a move beyond the deep divisions that have far too often led to hatred, brutal violence and the unnecessary death of Black Americans.

Though NACWA does not in its normal course of business address such social issues, we feel an overwhelming sadness as a result of the ongoing turmoil in our country and the need to condemn the violence against Black Americans that have led us to this point. We want to express our unwavering support and solidarity too with members, staff and colleagues who have faced instances of discrimination and inequality.

C E L E B R AT I N G 5 0 Y E A R S O F C L E A N WAT E R S U C C E S S

and information on the latest legislative and

STANDING UNITED.

NACWA stands united with those who yearn to be heard and valued — isn't this the ultimate and fundamental purpose of any association? As the country continues to find ways to move forward, we encourage you to share your ideas for how NACWA can improve itself in ways that can advance these aspirations and be part of a more permanent solution.

We recognize the limits of emails such as this; they are, frankly, easy to deliver and we recognize that the times we are living in require and demand much more.

Thank you for all you do and for considering this expression of solidarity during these harrowing times.

Kelly Brocato is the Senior Director of Membership Development & Retention at NACWA.

– N AC WA' S B OA R D O F D I R E C TO R S A N D S TA F F

23

C L E A N WAT E R C H A M P I O N S

24

THANK YOU TO NACWA’S 2020 SPONSORS We thank you for your many contributions to the clean water community.

T H E C L E A N WAT E R A D V O C AT E | S U M M E R 2 0 2 0

C L E A N WAT E R S T E WA R D S

INTERESTED IN BECOMING A SPONSOR? Contact Kindra Hemphill, Director of Marketing and Outreach khemphill@nacwa.org 202.533.1808

C L E A N WAT E R P R OT E C TO R S

C L E A N WAT E R A L L I E S

D&B Engineers and Architects, P.C.

Do you want to have an active role in shaping the policies that will directly impact your utility?

INFLUENCE As emerging issues arise and the landscape of clean water evolves, we are all tasked with the challenge of staying proactive and primed for the uncertainty of the future. You have the power to influence the decisions and policies that will affect your utility both now and for years to come.

VOICE

F O R F I F T Y Y E A R S N AC WA H A S A D V O C AT E D O N Y O U R B E H A L F , CONSISTENTLY OFFERING A N U N M AT C H E D R E T U R N O N I N V E S T M E N T . O U R M O S T VA L U A B L E RESOURCE IS THE COLLECTIVE I M PA C T O F O U R M E M B E R S .

NOW IS THE TIME TO ADD YO U R VO I C E .

For more information on membership, contact Kelly Brocato, Sr. Director of Membership at kbrocato@nacwa.org or visit nacwa.org/membership

As the only national association that solely represents public clean water agencies, NACWA is the collective voice of utilities from across the country. We advocate on your behalf to ensure regulators and lawmakers hear each utility’s perspective. Our members help shape national policy to benefit every community, including yours.

CONNECTION When you join NACWA, you are immediately connected with an unparalleled nationwide network of small, mid-size and large public utility executives to collaborate and share innovative strategies, common challenges and successful solutions.

RESOURCES NACWA’s members have access to the latest legislative, regulatory, legal, and communications expertise and analysis. We keep you informed of the significant shifts and developments in the sector, through online resources, interactive meetings and webinars presented by clean water thought-leaders and experts.