Alabama Water Environment Association (AWEA) and Alabama Water Pollution Control Association (AWPCA) recognized Alabama Water Utilities’ facilities with multiple awards.

The Alabama Water Environment Association (AWEA) awarded the Riverview Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF) a first-place excellence award, and the North Shelby WRRF won the second-place certificate of excellence. The Alabama Water Pollution Control Association (AWPCA) also awarded the Riverview WRRF first place, and several other facilities were honored with certificates of recognition.

“We prioritize safety at Alabama Water Utilities, and we aim to succeed at returning water safely into the environment, like the Cahaba River,” said Harry Chandler, Director of Operations at Alabama Water Utilities.

To be considered for these awards, members from various wastewater treatment utilities inspected the plant for excellence in operation based on standardized criteria. The criteria include treatment operations and maintenance of each unit process, the complexity of treatment processes (i.e., advanced treatment), process control and monitoring, laboratory quality control, records inventory, equipment calibration, plant appearance, safety programs, operator attitudes, and organization membership. Additionally, any documentation of energy efficiency initiatives coupled with the facility’s age earns corresponding bonus points to the overall score.

“I’m very proud of our team for their dedication to ensuring excellence of process and organization,” said Chandler.

The additional AWPCA awards went to Shelby Ridge Water Reclamation Facility, which missed second place by only two points but still earned a certificate of recognition. The client-owned Liberty Park WRRF also received a certificate of recognition. Both facilities were under plant expansion construction during the time of inspection.

About the Alabama Water Pollution Control Association: The Alabama Water Pollution Control Association (AWPCA), founded in 1946, is Alabama’s oldest environmental organization. Water and wastewater professional operators established AWPCA to promote the advancement of practical knowledge of water supply and treatment of potable water as well as the reclamation of wastewater.

About Alabama’s Water Environment Association: Alabama’s Water Environment Association (AWEA) is a state-wide affiliate organization of the Water Environment Federation. AWEA is a not-for-profit, educational, and technical organization dedicated to preserving, protecting, and managing Alabama’s waters since 1977.

About Alabama Water Utilities: Alabama Water Utilities operates the wastewater treatment systems: North Shelby Utility, Riverview Utility, Morris Utility, Brookwood Utility, Shelby Ridge Utility Systems, and Weatherly Utility. State-wide, the company services 15,650 customers by properly treating wastewater to return to the environment safely.

Please note, Corix Infrastructure and Southwest Water Company merged to become Nexus Water Group on April 1, 2024.