Local Water Utility Receives Three Environmental Awards
April 2008

The Charlotte Business Journal and Centralina Council of Governments recently recognized Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities for its leadership in environmental initiatives.

The Green Nonprofit Business Award recognizes Utilities as a whole for the variety of environmental programs and initiatives in place there.

The Green Commercial New Construction Project Award recognizes the new Utilities Environmental Services Facility off Billy Graham Parkway that includes numerous environmentally sound features. Utilities is seeking LEED certification, which would make it the first of City government buildings to be certified.

Utilities recently received a third award from the Centralina Council of Governments. The Region of Excellence Award in Environmental Planning and Conservation honors the water department's commitment to the environment and sustainable business practices.

Some highlights of the utility's environmental initiatives include:

* Incorporating sustainable products and features in the Environmental Services Facility. The building saves water and energy and includes daylighting, recycled materials and products that improve indoor air quality.

* Water reuse equipment and construction of rain gardens installed during the McDowell Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant expansion.

* Our biosolids recycling program, where solids from the water and wastewater treatment processes are safely land-applied rather than landfilled.

* Programs to protect land for water quality and wildlife preservation.

* Earning certification and operating under IS0 14001 Environmental Management standards at the Mallard Creek Water Reclamation Facility.

* Award-winning environmental education programs, including the Blue Planet Water Environmental Center and our WaterSmart conservation and community awards program.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities is a department of the City of Charlotte, providing drinking water and wastewater services to more than 750,000 people in Mecklenburg County.

2007 National Gold Award for Competitiveness

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities earned national recognition among industry peers for its competitive business strategies and sound fiscal management.  The Gold Award for Competitiveness Achievement was formally presented to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities by the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA) in October 2007.

Since 1995, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities has engaged in managed competition practices and was among the first public water agencies in the U.S. to successfully compete against the private sector. Over the years, Utilities has formally competed for, optimized or privately contracted the operation of various internal services including water treatment plants and wastewater plants, meter reading, residuals management and other activities.

To date, Utilities has never lost a competitive bid, and the competitive efforts are among many tools used by Charlotte-Mecklenburg to earn and retain AAA utility revenue bond ratings and, in turn, maintain economical water/sewer rates and fees for customers. All of these accomplishments were cited as part of the AMWA award.

Annual Wastewater Treatment Plant Awards

Environmental Management Nets 'Above & Beyond' Award

Honor recognizes employer support for guard members on active duty.  Since 9/11, Utilities has had several in our family called to duty as members of National Guard or Armed Forces Reserves.

In 2005, the N.C. Employer Support of the Guard & Reserve and the N.C. Air National Guard (ANG) presented the Utilities Environmental Management Division with an "Above and Beyond" Award for supporting its employees who also happen to be citizen soldiers.

Blue Planet Earns National Award

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities received the 2004 National Environmental Achievement Award from the Association of Metropolitan Sewerage Agencies (AMSA). The award specifically recognizes excellence in the Public Information & Education - Educational Program Category for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities' development of the Blue Planet Water Environmental Center. This hands-on water education facility is located in a 9,800-square foot room inside the Lee S. Dukes Water Treatment Plant in Huntersville. The Blue Planet was mostly funded through a federal EPA grant and opened to the public in December 2003.

Utilities Receives National Award

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities received the 2004 national Excellence in Management award from the Association of Metropolitan Sewerage Agencies (AMSA). The award recognizes progressive management tactics by Utilities in areas including finance, watershed based activities and win-win partnerships.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities wins Public Communications Achievement Award

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities won the 2001 Public Communications Achievement Award by the American Water Works Association (AWWA).

This award recognizes industry leaders for outstanding communications programs. Selected from nine entries in the '100,000+ customers' category, Charlotte-Mecklenburg was cited for its overall public outreach achievements including effective media relations, the WaterSmart conservation program and its communications related to the South Water Main water line project.  The South Water Main also won a local public relations award.

Annual Wastewater Treatment Plant Awards

 The National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) gives out awards for peak performance during the calendar year.

 Gold Awards go to plants with 100 percent perfect compliance with their permit requirements.  Silver Awards go to plants with no more than five permit violations during the year.

2007 awards will be announced during Summer/Fall of 2008

2006- GOLD

Mallard Creek Water Reclamation Facility (Northeast Charlotte)

McDowell Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant (Huntersville)

McAlpine Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant (Pineville)

2006 – SILVER

Sugar Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant (South Charlotte)

2005- GOLD

McDowell Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant (Huntersville)

Mallard Creek Water Reclamation Facility (Northeast Charlotte)

2005 – SILVER

McAlpine Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant (Pineville)

Sugar Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant (South Charlotte)

2004 - GOLD

McDowell Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant (Huntersville)

2004 – SILVER

Irwin Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant (West Charlotte)

Mallard Creek Water Reclamation Facility (Northeast Charlotte)

McAlpine Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant (Pineville)

Sugar Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant (South Charlotte)

2003 - GOLD

McAlpine Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant

2003 - SILVER

Irwin Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant

McDowell Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant

Sugar Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant

2002 - GOLD

McDowell Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant

McAlpine Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant

Sugar Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant

Irwin Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant

2002 - SILVER

Mallard Creek Water Reclamation Facility

2001 - SILVER

Irwin Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant

Sugar Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant

McAlpine Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant