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OMWD Commended for Outstanding Public Works Projects

The American Public Works Association’s San Diego & Imperial Counties Chapter presented Olivenhain Municipal Water District with two awards for outstanding capital projects at the association’s annual luncheon on May 7 at the Hilton San Diego Mission Valley.

OMWD was honored with the 2015 “Project of the Year” Award among sustainable/green projects valued at up to $2 million for its Solar Photovoltaic System project, and also received an Honor Award for its Emergency Generator Project.

APWA’s local chapter annually honors the best public works projects and professionals in San Diego and Imperial Counties. This is the second consecutive year OMWD has been recognized by APWA with a “Project of the Year” award, having achieved the award in the 2014 for improvements to the David C. McCollom Water Treatment Plant.

“We believe strongly in projects that improve services for our customers while demonstrating OMWD’s commitment to renewable resources, sustainable operations, and emergency preparedness” said OMWD Board President, and Facilities Committee Member, Ed Sprague, “The recognition from APWA for these two projects is testament to the forward thinking demonstrated by our Board of Directors that focuses on putting ratepayers first over the long term.”

OMWD’s Solar Photovoltaic System was designed to offset energy consumption at two pump stations, reducing energy transmission costs, minimizing the carbon footprint of water and wastewater conveyance, and resulting in annual electricity savings for OMWD of approximately $16,000, which are passed on to the customer.

The Emergency Generator Project provides an automatic, uninterrupted backup power source during times of emergency, such as the power outage experienced regionally in September 2011. The emergency generator enables OMWD to safely and efficiently manage and maintain its central communication hub in times of widespread electrical outage or other emergency events like large-scale fires when uninterrupted water service is most critical to our communities.

APWA’s San Diego and Imperial Counties Chapter is one of APWA’s 63 North American chapters serving professionals in all aspects of public works.

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OMWD Members of the Board, General Manager Kimberly Thorner, and Staff at the 2015 APWA Ceremony.