For Immediate Release – July 14, 2008

AUSTIN — The Austin Water Utility's (AWU) South Austin Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant recently received a 6-year Platinum Peak Performance Award from the National Association of Clean Water Agencies for six years of perfect compliance with its permit. The Walnut Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant was also given a Gold Peak Performance Award from NACWA for perfect compliance with its permit. NACWA will recognize more than 400 Peak Performance Award facilities during the Association’s 2008 Summer Conference and 38th Annual Meeting in Anchorage, Alaska from July 15 to 18, 2008.

"These are the most objective awards we can get," said Raj Bhattarai, Division Manager of Austin Water's Environmental & Regulatory Services Division. "We're very proud to get these awards because they're so impartial – it's all based strictly on numbers and there are no judges."

The Austin Water Utility serves more than 850,000 residential and commercial customers and draws from the Colorado River into three water treatment plants that have a rated combined maximum capacity of 300 million gallons per day. The utility has two major wastewater treatment plants: the South Austin Regional and Walnut Creek.

AWU goes above and beyond the Environmental Protection Agency’s protocols for safe drinking water, and it supplies some of the nation’s cleanest and best tasting water. Forbes.com recently ranked Austin #2 in the nation for providing the cleanest drinking water on tap.

Media Contact:
Sarah Fusco, Public Affairs Office
Email to: Sarah.Fusco@ci.austin.tx.us
City of Austin Water Utility
(512) 972-0150; pgr.(512) 802-8956