Western Carolina Regional Sewer Authority is proud to announce that six facilities were presented with South Carolina Occupational Safety Council (SCOSC) safety awards. The Mauldin Road treatment plant won the Palmetto Safety Excellence Award for the state in their category and code. This award is presented annually to the company with the lowest OSHA Recordable Incidence Rate that is at least 50% below the state average for comparable companies throughout South Carolina. The Gilder Creek, Georges Creek/Marietta, Grove Creek/ Piedmont, Lower Reedy and Pelham treatment plants received the South Carolina Safety Certificate, which is awarded to companies whose incidence rate is below the state average for comparable companies which have not received the Palmetto Award.

Western Carolina Regional Sewer Authority is proud to recognize four treatment plants, Gilder Creek, Georges Creek, Grove Creek and Mauldin Road, for winning the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control Outstanding Facility Award at the Annual Membership Conference, in Myrtle Beach, SC.

The Outstanding Facility Award is given based on criteria including budget, treatment process, innovative progress or solutions, public education, preventative maintenance and others.  This year, Western Carolina went above and beyond with community outreach programs, a Biosolids program, the Annual River Sweep, the FOG (Fats, Oils and Grease) Campaign, and employee involvement.

Executive Director, Ray T. Orvin and Chairman, John Boyette

Western Carolina Regional Sewer Authority was recently presented with the Public Information and Education Award by the National Association of Clean Water Agency (NACWA).  NACWA annually recognizes individuals and member agencies that have made outstanding contributions to environmental protection and wastewater management.  Western Carolina created the “Freshwater Freddie Ultimate Water Guide for Kids.” The piece was recognized as being a cost effective tool that efficiently and effectively educated the community about protecting our environment and learning about the wastewater treatment process.

Western Carolina was recently presented with the 2007 Excellence in Management Recognition Award from the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA).  The Excellence in Management Recognition program was launched in 2003 to acknowledge public clean water utilities that implement progressive management initiatives. Western Carolina is being honored for its commitment to clean water and its dedication to maximizing the utility’s effectiveness and efficiency during a time of rising costs and ever-expanding water quality challenges.

The Association of Metropolitan Sewerage Agencies (AMSA) named Western Carolina as an Excellence in Management Honoree at their Winter Conference in San Antonio. The Authority will hold this designation for three years. "Western Carolina truly embodies the spirit of Excellence in Management Recognition Program. It is an honor and an inspiration to showcase the achievements of our nation's public wastewater utilities," said Ken Kirk, AMSA's Executive Director.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded Western Carolina the Clean Water Partners for the 21st Century Award. This one-time award was established in celebration of the Year of Clean Water, proclaimed by President George W. Bush. Clean Water Partners were recognized for their extraordinary actions to protect watersheds beyond the requirements of the Clean Water Act - actions such as protecting and restoring rivers, lakes, streams, and wetlands and initiating innovative local pollution prevention programs. The EPA commended Western Carolina for its public outreach programs and its participation in the EPA's Region 4 pilot MOM program, an ongoing performance improvement and quality assurance program.

The Water Environment Association of South Carolina (WEASC) presented their first Pretreatment Program Excellence Award to Western Carolina Regional Sewer Authority for demonstrating their commitment to protecting and improving the quality of the State's waters through exceptional implementation and enforcement of their Pretreatment Programs. Western Carolina Pretreatment Manager William Armes accepted the award on behalf of the organization. The WEASC evaluates eligible organizations based on such criteria as their implementation and enforcement objectives, regulations for Commercial Dischargers and hauled wastes, inspections procedures, recordkeeping practices, enforcement strategies, and program components including staff training, stakeholder involvement and public awareness.

The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) awarded Western Carolina with the nationally prestigious Award for Excellence in Government Finance. Western Carolina received the Communications and Reporting award in the category of Management and Service Delivery for the production of "The Freshwater Freddie Ultimate Water Guide for Kids."

Ten of Western Carolina’s Wastewater Treatment Plants received Peak Performance Awards from the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) at the Association’s 37th Annual Meeting in Cleveland, Ohio. NACWA’s Gold Peak Performance Awards were presented to the Georges Creek, Gilder Creek, Grove Creek, Mauldin Road, Pelham, Slater Marietta and Taylors wastewater treatment plants to recognize their 100% compliance with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit requirements in 2006. NACWA’s Silver Peak Performance Awards were presented to the Durbin Creek, Lower Reedy and Piedmont Wastewater Treatment Plants.

Western Carolina's team, "Virtual Velocity", earned first place at the Operations Challenge competition at the Water Environment Association of South Carolina's Annual Environmental Conference. The Operations Challenge is an annual competition, which takes place across the country at Water Environment Federation conferences. Team "Virtual Velocity" of Western Carolina came in first place in the overall competition. As a result of placing first overall, team "Virtual Velocity" is guaranteed the opportunity to compete in the National Competition this fall in Washington, D.C.