Raleigh Water is proud to announce that three of its essential treatment facilities have been honored with the prestigious Platinum Peak Performance Award from the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA). This recognition celebrates an exceptional commitment to environmental protection, specifically for consistently achieving perfect compliance with environmental permits over many years.
The Platinum Peak Performance Award recognizes facilities that achieve 100% compliance with environmental permits for five consecutive years or more. Raleigh's three plants have collectively surpassed this benchmark with an impressive 52 consecutive years of 100% compliance. This remarkable achievement highlights a sustained level of dedication and precision in environmental stewardship.
"NACWA's annual recognition of perfect discharge permit compliance truly highlights the backbone of our industry," said Raleigh Water Assistant Director Scott Smart. "Our remarkable record, among the nation's best, is a direct result of the unwavering commitment, the technical prowess, and the sheer grit of our dedicated team. This isn't just about compliance; it's about the profound impact we have, and we couldn't be prouder of the people who make it happen every single day."
Raleigh Water's operational excellence shines brightly through the achievements of these facilities:
- Little Creek Resource Recovery Facility: Platinum 10: Recognized for an impressive 10 consecutive years of perfect compliance.
- Smith Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant: Platinum 20: Honored for an outstanding 20 consecutive years of flawless compliance.
- Neuse River Resource Recovery Facility: Platinum 22: Celebrated for an extraordinary 22 consecutive years of 100% compliance.
This unparalleled level of success isn't by chance; it's the result of a sophisticated interplay of skilled individuals, rigorous processes, and cutting-edge technology. Here are some of the key ways the Raleigh Water team ensures such consistent excellence:
- Building for the Future: They design and build facilities to be incredibly reliable, making sure there's always enough capacity to handle changing water flows, even during heavy rains.
- Constant Vigilance: Advanced computer systems provide real-time monitoring and instantly alert staff to any potential issues, allowing for quick action.
- Expert Daily Care: The team skillfully manages the complex day-to-day operations, adapting to the ever-changing conditions of the water coming into the plants.
- Proactive Upkeep: Raleigh Water staff meticulously maintain all plant equipment and infrastructure to prevent any critical failures that could impact performance.
- Rigorous Testing: Extensive laboratory analyses are performed on a routine basis to ensure the water meets strict permit requirements and to fine-tune treatment processes.
This national recognition from NACWA profoundly underscores Raleigh Water's dedication to protecting public health and the environment by consistently exceeding regulatory standards in wastewater treatment. It’s a commitment that ensures the water released back into our natural systems is clean and safe for everyone.
To celebrate these significant accomplishments, Raleigh Water will be formally recognized by NACWA in a special ceremony to be held on July 23 at the Utility Leadership Conference and 55th Annual Meeting in Colorado Springs, CO.
