AMWA honors San Diego water utility

San Diego — The City of San Diego Public Utilities Department is one of five public drinking water systems being honored by the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA) with its Sustainable Water Utility Management Award. The award was presented on Oct. 17, 2016, in ceremonies at its 2016 Executive Management Conference in Scottsdale, Ariz.

The Sustainable Water Utility Management Award recognizes water utilities that have made a commitment to management that achieves a balance of innovative and successful efforts in areas of economic, social and environmental endeavors.

“We are very honored to receive this award which acknowledges our hard work and commitment to achieve the City’s overarching goal of sustainability,” said Halla Razak, City Public Utilities Director. “We take great pride in providing safe, reliable water utility services that protect the health of our communities and the environment.”

AMWA noted that the Public Utilities Department maintains numerous award-winning community outreach, education and conservation programs and is proud of its water rate assistance program for low-income residents.  The Department has implemented energy and carbon management strategies, including resource recovery, to ensure optimal energy usage, storage and production levels.

In addition, Public Utilities is implementing a multi-year Pure Water San Diego Program that uses proven technology to clean recycled wastewater to produce sustainable, high-quality water. Its rate structures utilize industry-recognized rate-making practices to cover cost of services and maintain a balance between long term debt, asset values, O&M expenditures, and revenues and expenses.

For more information about the City of San Diego Public Utilities Department, visit its website at www.sandiego.gov/publicutilities.