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KC Water Receives National Peak Performance Awards, Four Wastewater Treatment Plants Honored for Outstanding Compliance Records

Posted on August 13, 2019

(Kansas City, Mo.) – Every day, toilets and drains across Kansas City send millions of gallons of wastewater away from homes and businesses.  That dirty water goes to treatment plants where KC Water cleans it and returns it to the Missouri River in better condition than when it was received.

Recently, The National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) honored KC Water with four Peak Performance Awards.  These awards recognize KC Water’s efforts to protect regional health and water quality through compliance with established National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits for 2018.

These are the four NACWA Peak Performance Awards:

  • Platinum Award for the Fishing River Wastewater Treatment Plant
  • Gold Award for the Rocky Branch Wastewater Treatment Plant
  • Gold Award for the Birmingham Wastewater Treatment Plant
  • Silver Award for the Westside Wastewater Treatment Plant

Platinum Awards are presented to the facilities with 100% compliance with permits over a consecutive 5-year period. This is the highest award attainable.

Gold Awards are presented to facilities with no permit violations for the entire calendar year.

Silver Awards are presented to facilities with no more than five violations per calendar year.

In addition, John Lopez, Chief Plant Operator was recognized with the Missouri Water Environment Association (MWEA) Operator of the Year Award for a Large Facility. Lopez was also recognized with a Golden Manhole Award for his role in chairing the MWEA Collection System Voluntary Certification Committee. A Certificate of Agency Recognition was awarded to the Wastewater Treatment Division by the MWEA.

The Wastewater Treatment Division processed approximately 35.8 billion gallons of wastewater in 2018.

“This is great recognition for our employees who work 24 hours a day to treat Kansas City’s wastewater,” said KC Water Director Terry Leeds.  “I’m proud of this achievement. To receive the highest award for no permit violations for five years in a row, demonstrates our commitment to protect public health and the environment by providing safe wastewater treatment.”

“NACWA’s Peak Performance Awards are a reflection on the incredible work that goes on 24/7 at our nation’s clean water agencies.  The fact that four KC Water facilities have received this honor demonstrates an exceptional commitment to the environment and the Kansas City community.” said Adam Krantz, NACWA Chief Executive Officer.

For more information, please contact Heather Frierson, Media Relations Coordinator, at heather.frierson@kcmo.org, 816-513-0280.

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KC Water maintains and operates water treatment and distribution systems, stormwater management systems, and wastewater collection and treatment systems for residential and business customers in Kansas City and for wholesale customers in the Kansas City area.  KC Water is primarily funded by fees charged to customers based on their use or impacts on the three utility systems.

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