SAFE DRINKING WATER ACT EXCELLENCE AWARDS APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
BACKGROUND
The Environmental Protection Agency, Region 4, is conducting the 2009 Safe Drinking Water Act Excellence Awards program. This program is intended to highlight effective operations and maintenance programs and to recognize the commitment by local administration and plant personnel for maintaining and protecting drinking water and public water supplies. The principal objectives of this program are to; 1. to recognize those systems that are demonstrating their commitment to compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act through outstanding operations and maintenance practices; 2. to heighten overall public awareness of the contributions of public water supplies for ensuring adequate and safe drinking water; and 3. to encourage public support for maintaining this exemplary status.
NOMINATION PROCESS
1. States select a representative to serve as a Nominating Official to solicit nominations and verify the information provided by public water supply facilities. 2. Communities may be invited by the State to submit an application or they may nominate themselves to the State. 3. The states’ Nominating Official must screen each nomination package for completeness and submit one nomination for each of the six award categories. Water system categories Small surface and ground water systems Medium Large surface and ground water systems surface and ground water systems Population served <3,300 3,300 - 10,000 >10,000
NOTE: Where compliance history and sanitary survey information are lacking, the State is requested to provide such information to complete the nomination package.
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4. The Nominating Official must submit each water system nominee to the EPA Public Water Supply Regional Award Coordinator no later than September 15, 2009. (see mailing address below):
Pamela Riley PWS Awards Coordinator (4WM-DWS) U.S. EPA, Region 4 61 Forsyth Street Atlanta, Georgia 30303
5. Each nomination should be accompanied by a complete worksheet, including requested attachments, prepared by the State or the facility. Additional information provided to support answers to questions should be concise and relevant. NOTE: We request that all water system submittals be completed by the individual water systems, not by consulting engineers or private operations contractors. 6. The compliance information provided by the facility must be verified by the State prior to transmittal to the Regional Office. 7. The nomination packages will be reviewed by an Awards Committee comprised of Regional Officials and winners will be selected in October 2009. 8. The Awards Coordinator will notify the state directors’ of award recipients selected in December 2009. 9. Winning facilities will be honored at a presentation by either an U.S. EPA representative and/or by your State Drinking Water Program representative early 2010.
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