Framingham DPW Gets Utility Of The Year Award

FRAMINGHAM, MA—The Department of Public Works Water Division recently received the 2017 Utility of the Year Award in the large utility category (systems serving over 50,000 people) from the New England Water Works Association (NEWWA), the region’s largest and oldest nonprofit organization of water works professionals.

According to the announcement, this award recognizes utilities having made significant improvements to their water system infrastructure, customer service, staff training, and/or operations to protect public health of the customers it serves. Blake Lukis, Director of Water and Wastewater for the city, accepted the award at NEWWA’s December meeting.

“This achievement would not have been possible without the strong collaboration and dedication of Water Division staff. This special recognition from NEWWA highlights the team’s hard work and commitment to the City and is certainly well deserved,” said Lukis in a statement.

NEWWA cited the Division’s efforts to eliminate lead in the City’s water service through the Lead Service Replacement Program, as well as efforts to educate the community about the harmful effects of lead in water, as reasons for Framingham to receive the award, said the release.

Framingham’s water system is comprised of 250 miles of pipe, approximately 17,000 service connections, four pumping stations, and six water tanks. The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority provides water to the community, and the Department of Public Works Water Division maintains the infrastructure.

“I could not be more proud of the work that the Framingham Public Work’s has done to make our infrastructure more efficient, reliable and maintainable,” said Mayor Yvonne M. Spicer in the press release.

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