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WCSA Receives Top Honors from Virginia Department of Health
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 The Washington County Service Authority (WCSA) has been recognized by the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) for providing drinking water that surpasses state and federal regulations. The WCSA is the only utility in the state to receive both the 2004 Virginia's Excellence in Waterworks Performance Award and the 2004 Virginia’s Excellence in Waterworks Operations Award.
On May 5, the VDH recognized the WCSA and 27 other Virginia water supply systems at the Hotel Roanoke in conjunction with National Drinking Water Week. The VDH Office of Drinking Water’s Waterworks Recognition Program honors water systems that have demonstrated excellence in performance, operations, treatment and the distribution of drinking water to the public.
“These awards are a testimony to the hard work of everyone at the WCSA. Our employees are dedicated to providing our customers a pure, dependable supply of drinking water,” said David Dawson, general manager of the WCSA. “This is an incredible honor for the WCSA, and it renews our commitment to continue providing outstanding drinking water to our valued customers.”
The VDH regulates approximately 1,310 community waterworks that serve about six million Virginians to ensure that these individuals have access to an adequate supply of affordable, safe drinking water that meets federal and state standards. The VDH also monitors more than 1,650 non-community waterworks that serve facilities such as schools, factories and restaurants.
“Many people don’t realize the importance of safe drinking water,” said State Health Commissioner Robert B. Stroube, M.D., M.P.H. “Water systems that take extra efforts to protect our citizens are to be commended.”
Excellent performance and operation involves making a commitment to customer satisfaction while setting and achieving goals that exceed the established regulations. Today,
standards exist for 100 different drinking water contaminants, and the list will continue to grow as technology and customer demands increase.
“Ensuring safe drinking water is a complex endeavor that requires the dedication and technical expertise of a team of water treatment and distribution professionals,” said Office of Drinking Water Director Gerald W. Peaks, P.E. “It is gratifying to have such professionals demonstrate a strong willingness to protect the public’s health.”
In 2004, the WCSA received the “Director’s Award of Recognition” from the Partnership for Safe Water after identifying factors that limit drinking water treatment plant performance. Only the third utility from Virginia to earn the award, the WCSA was among more than 300 utilities nationwide participating in the Partnership. The WCSA was also asked by the American Water Works Association (AWWA) and Water System Optimization (WSO) to serve as a case study for water utilities nationwide because of its innovative water loss reduction efforts.
Earlier this year, the WCSA was awarded a fourth-place finish in the Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting Awards. Recognized as the world’s largest water tasting competition, the event attracted more than 100 waters from across the world. The WCSA has also been selected by the American Water Works Association as one of two water utilities nationwide to participate in a pilot testing for accreditation water utility standards.
The WCSA has 19,233 water accounts serving 45,000 people in Washington County, including the towns of Abingdon, Damascus and Glade Spring. It also provides wastewater service to 1,400 homes, businesses and industries in parts of Washington County. |
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