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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. 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
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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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
T
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.
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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.