The Suffolk County Water Authority has been honored with a Gold Award from the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies, which cited SCWA’s state-of-the-art laboratory, high bond ratings, aquifer protection measures and strong management in making its decision.
SCWA was among a small group of water utilities nationwide to be honored by AMWA this year. The association assesses utilities on various industry standards and performance measurements in product quality, customer satisfaction, employee and leadership development, operational optimization, financial viability, infrastructure stability, operational resiliency, community sustainability, water resource adequacy and stakeholder understanding and support.
“We know we’ve got a great operation and dedicated staff, but it is always gratifying to have your national peers recognize your work,” said SCWA Chief Executive Officer Jeff Szabo. “We are constantly striving to improve as we endeavor to make SCWA the best water utility possible.”
“AMWA’s 2012 award winners are industry-leading water systems with innovative managers and dedicated workforces who create sustainable utilities marked by high quality, affordable water, responsive customer service and attention to resource management and environmental protection,” said AMWA president Pat Mulroy. “The accomplishments of these exceptionally well-run public utilities should be a source of pride for the communities they serve.”
In presenting SCWA with its Gold Award for Exceptional Utility Performance at AMWA’s 2012 Annual Meeting, the association noted that SCWA “maintains a state-of-the-art laboratory that goes beyond regulatory requirements to ensure the water it delivers is of the highest quality. Fiscal management is strong, as evidence by its current bond ratings of AAA and AA issued by Fitch and Standard & Poor’s, respectively. The management team makes the utility more efficient, transparent and accountable through the creation of annual goals and objectives, finding creative sources of alternative revenues and cutting expenditures not core to its mission of providing the highest quality water at the lowest possible price. The utility embraces new technologies, actively participates in protection of its sole source aquifer and strives to provide exemplary service to customers.”
The Suffolk County Water Authority is an independent public-benefit corporation operating under the authority of the Public Authorities Law of the State of New York. Serving approximately 1.2 million Suffolk County residents, the Authority operates without taxing power on a not-for-profit basis.