WHITTIER, CA, OCTOBER 4, 2016 -- The Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County were selected as a "Utility of the Future" by a partnership of national water resources organizations with support from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The program celebrates progressive and exceptional performance of our nation's water and wastewater utilities while supporting the adoption of the innovative "Utility of the Future" principles, which include beneficial biosolids reuse, community partnering & engagement, energy efficiency, energy generation & recovery, and nutrient & materials recovery.
The Sanitation Districts were one of the first sixty-one utilities to be recognized in the inaugural year of the program, which had entries from public and private utilities from across the world. The water resources partnership consists of the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA), the Water Environment Federation (WEF), the Water Environment and Reuse Foundation (WE&RF) and WateReuse—with support from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The recipients were recognized and honored during a ceremony on September 27 held in conjunction with the WEFTEC 2016 – WEF's 89th annual technical exhibition and conference - in New Orleans, Louisiana.
The Recognition Program seeks to encourage utilities to embed the principles of the Utility of the Future within their organizational culture. Organizational culture is seen as the foundation by which all other Utility of the Future activity is sustainably supported.
"NACWA applauds all the recipients of the inaugural Utility of the Future Recognition Program," said CEO Adam Krantz of NACWA. "Utility leaders are engaged in unparalleled innovation and this recognition will inspire the sector as a whole to achieve still untapped economic and environmental benefits for their communities and thenation."
The Sanitation Districts' entry highlighted the organization's efforts to uphold the Utility of the Future principles by engaging in community education and outreach programs, initiating sustainable solid waste and wastewater management programs and implementing employee engagement and training programs. The promotion of these efforts continues to build a sustainable workplace culture focused on converting waste into resources.
"The Sanitation Districts appreciate the recognition and will continue to seek innovative improvements that continue our mission, both as a service to the communities we serve and to the employees that do the work to provide that service," stated Grace Hyde, Chief Engineer and General Manager in acknowledging the recognition.
The Sanitation Districts' mission is to protect public health and the environment through innovative and cost-effective wastewater and solid waste management, and in doing so convert waste into resources such as reclaimed water, energy, and recycled materials. The Sanitation Districts serve about 5.5 million people in 78 cities and unincorporated portions of Los Angeles County.
