32 Public Water Systems Honored for Drinking Water Excellence During National Drinking Week Celebration

Thirty-two public water systems were honored today in a ceremony at the Massachusetts State House in Boston as part of National Drinking Water Week (May 4-10, 2008). The systems (listed below) received a Massachusetts Public Drinking Water Award, which recognizes public water systems for outstanding performance in 2007.

MassDEP Commissioner Laurie Burt awarded the winning systems with a certificate of outstanding performance and a Governor's Citation signed by Governor Deval Patrick.

"There are 1,736 public drinking water systems in the Commonwealth that provide approximately 500 million gallons per day of safe, clean drinking water to our citizens," Commissioner Burt said. "Today we recognize those water suppliers who have exceeded the regulatory requirements for compliance and done a spectacular job of delivering the finest drinking water found any where."

Winning systems were determined based on their compliance with state drinking water regulations. Today's award winners had no monitoring enforcements or violations, submitted all required reports on time, adhered to good water management procedures and have excellent source protection standards.

"This is the sixteenth year the Massachusetts Water Works Association has collaborated with members of the water community to sponsor these awards," said Raymond Jack, president of MWWA and emcee of the event. "It's a day to celebrate the professionals who work so hard to make our water fit to drink. Thanks to their efforts, we enjoy the highest standards of water quality of any nation on earth."  

The Southampton Water Department received special recognition for winning the 2007 National Rural Waterworks' Great American Water Taste Test. Two systems were also awarded the STARL Award (Systems Taking Action to Reduce Lead), Fall River and Medfield, which recognize the collaborative efforts of public water systems and school systems to eliminate lead sources from the water.

Commissioner Burt also reported on the progress of MassDEP's Energy Management Pilot. The pilot, launched in December 2007 at 14 facilities statewide, seeks to reduce the amount of energy used to treat municipal wastewater and drinking water, resulting in lower costs and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

The following drinking water systems received awards:
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Small Community Systems  
East Northfield Water Company; Cheshire Water Department; Palmer Water District #1; West Brookfield Water Department; Warren Water District

Non-transient Non-community Systems 
Harvard Forest - Petersham 

Medium and Large Community Systems
Harwich Water Department; Centerville Osterville Marstons Mills Water Department - Barnstable; Easton Water Division; Concord Water Department; Halifax Water Department; Lynn Water and Sewer Commission; Mansfield Water Department; Westford Water Department

Consecutive Systems
Reading Water Department; Wilbraham Water Department; Lynnfield Water District; Belmont Water Department; Chelsea Water Department; Lexington Water Department; North Dighton Fire District 

Honorable Mention: Green Meadows School - Hampden; Hampden Housing Authority; Scantic Valley Water District - Hampden & Bridgewater Water Department
Conservation Award

Acton Water Supply District; Concord Water Department; Mansfield Water Department
Small System Security Award

Dunstable Water Department
STAR L Award

Fall River School Department and Fall River Water Department
Medfield School Department and Medfield Water Department

Special Recognition
Southampton Water Department

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