MassDEP Presents 45 Recipients with Public Water Systems Award

From the Commonwealth of Massachusetts:

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has announced 45 winners of the annual Public Water Systems Awards, which are given each year to celebrate "National Drinking Water Week" (May 1-7). The awards were presented today during a ceremony held at the Devens Community Center.

"Drinking Water Week is an excellent opportunity to thank those workers who, throughout the year, have served diligently to deliver a safe, reliable water supply to the residents of the Commonwealth," said Gov. Charlie Baker. "Small or large, all of these systems are critical to the health and well-being of the public."

"The Commonwealth knows well the importance of water, as well as the value, importance and fragility of our state's water resources," said Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito. "The municipalities and MassDEP are constantly working in close cooperation to ensure that drinking water utilities deliver consumers a potable water supply that meets all federal and state standards."

"The tasks facing state drinking water programs and public water systems continue to be extremely challenging, but we recognize how critical they are to public health and the vitality of our economy," said EEA Secretary Matthew Beaton. "The drinking water infrastructure presents us with some daunting resource demands, but these awards are a means of noting how some of those have not only met that challenge, but done exemplary work to maintain our public water systems."

"We are fortunate to have water systems that work to provide the safe and consistent supply of drinking water we all depend on when we open the tap each day," said MassDEP Commissioner Martin Suuberg, who served as the event's keynote speaker. "Large or small, we acknowledge all the work these systems do, and today, we recognize some of these systems for their exemplary efforts."

MassDEP initially began issuing water systems awards in 1986 as a way to acknowledge the many dedicated professionals for their accomplishments in maintaining consistent and safe delivery of potable water to the residents of the Commonwealth.

The Nontransient Noncommunity System Award was given to 330 Codman Hill Road (Boxborough), Cosgrove Realty (Boxborough), Deer Island Treatment Facility (MWRA), Hopkinton Country Club, Kids A Lot Daycare (Stow), Prime Toyota Route 2 (Lancaster) and Riverbridge North Complex (Berlin).

The Small Community System Award was given to Applewood Condominium Corporation (Boxborough) and Nemasket Health Care Center (Middleborough).

The Medium/Large Community System Award was given to the Andover Water Department, Concord Water Department, Dedham Westwood Water District, Dennis Water District, Easton Water Division, Harwich Water Department, Lynn Water and Sewer Commission, Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, Orleans Water Department, Pinehills Water Company, Inc. (Plymouth), Salem Beverly Water Supply Board, Worcester DPW and Water Supply Division.

The Consecutive Community System Award was given to Belmont Water Department (MWRA), Brookline Water and Sewer Division (MWRA), Everett Water Department (MWRA), Quincy Water Department (MWRA), Reading Water Department, Revere Water Department (MWRA), Riverside Water District and Weston Water Department.

Consistent Performer Recognition was given to the Beverly Water Department, Boston Water and Sewer Commission (MWRA) and Bright Horizons Daycare (Boxborough).

The Source Protection Award was given to Greenfield DPW - Water Facility, Haverhill Water Department, Massachusetts Dept. of Conservation and Recreation - Wachusett Reservoir and Seekonk Water District.

The Energy Conservation Award was given to the Egremont Water Department and Stockbridge Water Department.

The Water Conservation Award was given to the Reading DPW Water Department, Orange Water Department and Norton Water Department.

Regional Recognition was given to the Chicopee Water Department, Bellingham DPW Water and Sewer Division (MWRA), Boston Water and Sewer Commission and Seekonk Water District.

National Drinking Water Week recognizes the importance of water source protection and conservation as well as the value, importance and fragility of the commonwealth's water resources. MassDEP works with drinking water utilities to make sure that the water delivered to consumers meets all federal and state standards and is clean and abundant. These efforts are vital to the Massachusetts economy and to public health. Further information is available through the Massachusetts Drinking Water web page.

The tasks facing state drinking water programs and public water systems continue to be extremely challenging, especially in an era of scarce resources. The drinking water infrastructure in many cities and towns is aging and presents daunting resource demands. The nation continues to be challenged by new and emerging drinking water contaminants associated with an industrial society.

Sponsors for this year's event include Barnstable County Water Utilities Association, Massachusetts Rural Water Association, Massachusetts Water Works Association, Middlesex/Worcester County Water Works Association, New England Water Works Association, Plymouth County Water Works Association, RCAP Solutions, Western Mass Waterworks Association, U.S. EPA and MassDEP.

MassDEP is responsible for ensuring clean air and water, safe management and recycling of solid and hazardous wastes, timely cleanup of hazardous waste sites and spills and the preservation of wetlands and coastal resources.