City of Atlanta

Department of Watershed Management

Press Release

October 26, 2009 – Commissioner Rob Hunter today announced that the Department of Watershed Management has earned a Platinum Award for Utility Excellence from the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA), an organization representing the nation’s largest publicly owned drinking water utilities. Announced at the group’s annual meeting, the award honors outstanding achievement in implementing the nationally recognized Attributes of Effectively Managed Utilities.

According to AMWA, “The strategic plan at the City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management (DWM) is based on the Balanced Scorecard approach, which is predicated on an environmental scan. The plan is long-term and comprehensive, as are other planning initiatives including its master plan, financial plan, capital improvement plan and regional plans. DWM has instilled a culture of continual improvement and accountability. Virtually all business processes and functions have been re-engineered and standard operating procedures, reports and controls have been documented for each one. Asset management programs, as well as commitment to employee and community involvement, round out the Department’s approach to industry leadership.”

The Attributes of Effectively Managed Utilities were developed by a panel of respected water and wastewater utility executives, commissioned by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, AMWA and other water industry associations. The attributes they identified include: 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.

“AMWA awards recognize the extraordinary performance of water agencies where management vision and employee commitment create a sustainable utility producing ample supplies of clean, safe drinking water,” said AMWA President Brian Ramaley, Director of Newport News Water Works. “The communities served by these award winners should be proud of the accomplishments of their forward-thinking, exceptionally well-managed public utilities.”

“This award is validation of the Department’s commitment to its customers and to clean water,” said Commissioner Rob Hunter. “It is a tribute to the dedication of our employees and the support of Mayor Franklin.”

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The Department of Watershed Management provides drinking water and wastewater collection and treatment services to more than 1 million people over a 650-square-mile area.

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