Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities has received local, state, and national awards. Below is a list of recent awards:
Annual Wastewater Treatment Plant Awards
Utilities Earns International GIS Award
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities was one of 180 worldwide recipients recently selected from more than 100,000 nominees to receive the Special Achievement in GIS award from the Environmental System Research Institute. The award recognizes the overall quality of our Geographic Information Systems (GIS) program, which is used to help manage assets, improve business processes and ultimately enhance customer service.
The award was presented in August during the 28th Annual International GIS Users Conference in San Diego. Recipients were nominated and selected by industry peers. Our program was the only winner from North Carolina, and was recognized alongside top GIS programs including the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the United Nations Joint Logistics Centre and the Hong Kong SAR Government Planning Department.
Local Water Utility Receives Three Environmental Awards
April 2008
The Charlotte Business Journal and Centralina Council of Governments recently recognized Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities for its leadership in environmental initiatives. The Charlotte Business Journal today presented Utilities with two awards during its Green Awards luncheon held at the Convention Center. These honor the utility's work in two areas:
The Green Nonprofit Business Award recognizes Utilities as a whole for the variety of environmental programs and initiatives in place there.
The Green Commercial New Construction Project Award recognizes the new Utilities Environmental Services Facility off Billy Graham Parkway that includes numerous environmentally sound features. Utilities is seeking LEED certification, which would make it the first of City government buildings to be certified.
Utilities recently received a third award from the Centralina Council of Governments. The Region of Excellence Award in Environmental Planning and Conservation honors the water department's commitment to the environment and sustainable business practices.
Some highlights of the utility's environmental initiatives include:
* Incorporating sustainable products and features in the Environmental Services Facility. The building saves water and energy and includes daylighting, recycled materials and products that improve indoor air quality.
* Water reuse equipment and construction of rain gardens installed during the McDowell Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant expansion.
* Our biosolids recycling program, where solids from the water and wastewater treatment processes are safely land-applied rather than landfilled.
* Programs to protect land for water quality and wildlife preservation.
* Earning certification and operating under IS0 14001 Environmental Management standards at the Mallard Creek Water Reclamation Facility.
* Award-winning environmental education programs, including the Blue Planet Water Environmental Center and our WaterSmart conservation and community awards program.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities is a department of the City of Charlotte, providing drinking water and wastewater services to more than 750,000 people in Mecklenburg County.
2007 National Gold Award for Competitiveness
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities earned national recognition among industry peers for its competitive business strategies and sound fiscal management. The Gold Award for Competitiveness Achievement was formally presented to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities by the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA) in October 2007.
Since 1995, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities has engaged in managed competition practices and was among the first public water agencies in the U.S. to successfully compete against the private sector. Over the years, Utilities has formally competed for, optimized or privately contracted the operation of various internal services including water treatment plants and wastewater plants, meter reading, residuals management and other activities.
To date, Utilities has never lost a competitive bid, and the competitive efforts are among many tools used by Charlotte-Mecklenburg to earn and retain AAA utility revenue bond ratings and, in turn, maintain economical water/sewer rates and fees for customers. All of these accomplishments were cited as part of the AMWA award.
Environmental Management Nets 'Above & Beyond' Award
Honor recognizes employer support for guard members on active duty. Since 9/11, Utilities has had several in our family called to duty as members of National Guard or Armed Forces Reserves.
In 2005, the N.C. Employer Support of the Guard & Reserve and the N.C. Air National Guard (ANG) presented the Utilities Environmental Management Division with an "Above and Beyond" Award for supporting its employees who also happen to be citizen soldiers.
Blue Planet Earns National Award
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities received the 2004 National Environmental Achievement Award from the Association of Metropolitan Sewerage Agencies (AMSA). The award specifically recognizes excellence in the Public Information & Education - Educational Program Category for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities' development of the Blue Planet Water Environmental Center. This hands-on water education facility is located in a 9,800-square foot room inside the Lee S. Dukes Water Treatment Plant in Huntersville. The Blue Planet was mostly funded through a federal EPA grant and opened to the public in December 2003.
Utilities Receives National Award
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities received the 2004 national Excellence in Management award from the Association of Metropolitan Sewerage Agencies (AMSA). The award recognizes progressive management tactics by Utilities in areas including finance, watershed based activities and win-win partnerships.
