PA American Water announced Wednesday drinking water treatment plants it operates received 17 Partnership for Safe Water awards.

The awards, which recognize water treatment facilities that have achieved higher than required water quality standards, are presented during the 2016 American Water Works Association Annual Conference in Chicago, Ill. this week.

"We hold ourselves to the highest standards in delivering clean, safe, high-quality drinking water to the people we serve, and so having twenty-two of our facilities recognized by the Partnership for Safe Water for going above and beyond EPA water quality standards is very meaningful for us," said Susan Story, President and Chief Executive Officer. "We pride ourselves on our exceptional water quality record which is 13 times better than the industry average, and this national recognition is a true testament to our employees' expertise, dedication to excellence and commitment to our customers."

As a member of the Partnership for Safe Water, American Water demonstrates its commitment to improve the quality of drinking water delivered to customers by optimizing its system operations.

Pennsylvania American Water received six Phase IV Presidents Award recognitions at the following treatment plants: Bangor Water Treatment Plant; Brownell Water Treatment Plant; Crystal Lake Water Treatment Plant; Gerald C. Smith Water Treatment Plant (Hershey WTP); Indiana Water Treatment Plant (Two Lick Creek); Nesbitt Water Purification Plant.

Phase IV goals are the highest possible level of performance that can be achieved in the four-phase program.

The Presidents Award recognizes achieving Phase IV's very stringent individual filter performance goals for turbidity. Pennsylvania American Water now has nine surface water treatment plants that have received the Phase IV Presidents Award.

"Our operations and water quality teams have worked very hard to earn the Presidents Award, and this recognition is a testament to their expertise and dedication to better serve our customers," said Kathy L. Pape, president of Pennsylvania American Water. "Reaching this elite status is a significant achievement in our ongoing efforts to not only meet stringent performance goals but also improve the quality of our water."

Pennsylvania American Water's Rock Run Water Treatment Plant was recognized with a Phase III Directors Award for its Treatment Program.

In addition, Pennsylvania American Water's Stony Garden Water Treatment Plant (Blue Mountain System) was recognized for maintaining the Phase III Directors Award status for five years.

These other treatment plants were also recognized for maintaining the Phase III Directors Award for 15 years:  Brownsville Water Treatment Plant; Crystal Lake Water Treatment Plant; Kane Water Treatment Plant; Lake Scranton Water Treatment Plant; Norristown Water Treatment Plant; Punxsutawney Filter Plant (Big Run); Susquehanna Water Treatment Plant; Watres Water Treatment Plant; and White Deer Creek Water Treatment Plant

Nationally, just over 400 surface water treatment plants are part of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Partnership for Safe Water Program, a voluntary effort that is designed to increase protection against microbial contamination through treatment optimization.

American Water accounts for about 20 percent of the participating plants nationwide, and has received more Partnership for Safe Water awards than any other utility nationwide.

For more information on the program, visit DEP’s Partnership for Safe Water webpage.

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6/27/2016