2009-11-11 01:51:04 -

Recognizing Metropolitan Water District’s resiliency in the face of difficult economic times, drought and environmental restrictions in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies has presented the Southland water import agency with its highest award.

Metropolitan is one of six agencies in the United States to earn AMWA’s Platinum Award for Utility Excellence, acknowledging utilities that are in

the forefront of sustainable management by addressing the full range of challenges and opportunities confronting drinking water systems today.

“This award is a testament to the commitment and dedication of our Board of Directors and member public agencies in providing the leadership to help Metropolitan deal head-on with the ever-changing issues utilities confront today,” said MWD General Manager Jeffrey Kightlinger.

“It also demonstrates the value of our excellent workforce in providing a safe and reliable water supply to 19 million Southern Californians despite a changing climate, struggling water supply and ecosystems and a growing population,” Kightlinger said.

Among Metropolitan’s achievements recognized by the AMWA award were maintaining 100 percent compliance with primary drinking water regulations through operation of the district’s new ozone treatment processes and providing reliable deliveries with no unscheduled outages.

Metropolitan’s investment in capital projects that helps provide supply and delivery reliability and ensure water quality and stewardship as well as implementing “green” initiatives, including energy management, water reduction and conservation incentives totaling $223 million, also were acknowledged by the AMWA award.

Metropolitan was joined by Atlanta’s Department of Watershed Management, Charleston Water System, Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department, Orlando Utilities Commission and the city of Santa Rosa Utilities Department in receiving the Platinum Award, presented at AMWA’s annual meeting in Naples, Fla., last week.

AMWA is an organization of the largest publicly owned drinking water systems in the United States, with its membership serving more than 130 million Americans.

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is a cooperative of 26 cities and water agencies serving 19 million people in six counties. The district imports water from the Colorado River and Northern California to supplement local supplies, and helps its members to develop increased water conservation, recycling, storage and other resource-management programs.


Metropolitan Water District of Southern CaliforniaBob Muir,

213-217-6930; 213-324-5213, mobile