| Partnership for Safe Water Celebrates 20th Anniversary at ACE15
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Partnership for Safe Water Celebrates 20th Anniversary at ACE15

PSW 20th Anniversary logo

ACE15 at the Anaheim Convention Center in California was the center-point for the Partnership’s 20th Anniversary celebration and included many accolades and events to mark the occasion. 

Self Assessment Guide cover artThe Partnership benefited greatly by having so many supporters and subscribers take part in activities. ACE15 was also one of the most highly attended annual conferences that AWWA has held, and our 20th Anniversary was celebrated by many water professionals who have been instrumental in the development and progress of Partnership programs over the years, including special recognition for two volunteers for their outstanding service. The Partnership also unveiled the program's new treatment plant self-assessment guidance manual, Self-Assessment for Water Treatment Plant Optimization, announced to program subscribers and available for purchase at the AWWA bookstore. We also promoted the Water System Optimization Conference that’s co-sponsored by the Partnership and PA- AWWA, and will be held in Hershey, Pennsylvania, October 28-30, 2015.

Again this year, the Partnership enjoyed a central location on the exhibit floor to meet with subscribers and introduce our treatment plant and distribution system programs to conference attendees at the AWWA Pavilion. For those who stopped by, they learned about our program’s features and benefits and many other opportunities that are offered by AWWA and AWWA Sections. They could also choose to have a chair message to relax among the busy exhibit floor.

ACE15 is a multi-day, multi-sensory event – with exhibits, sessions, and meetings that lead to fast-paced activity. On Sunday, AWWA and Partnership meetings took place, starting off with Steering Committee Chair, Robert Cheng of Coachella Valley Water District, addressing the AWWA Board with a full update of present outcomes and future plans. At the conclusion of his presentation, Partnership staff recognized Dr. Cheng with a special award for his six years of service as Steering Committee Chair.  AWWA Board members erupted in applause and acknowledged Cheng’s many contributions to AWWA and the water industry.  Later, Partnership participants held in-person planning meetings. 

Sunday night’s 20th Anniversary Reception entertained many program supporters and special guests. Held at Fire & Ice Grill at the Anaheim Garden Walk mall, the event took place on the outdoor patio with exquisite tastes of assorted appetizers and accompanying sauces. It was a comfortable setting for the staff and management of our many award-winning utilities to enjoy a warm California evening of celebration. In addition to music that played, guests also watched the NBA finals game that was being telecast on the giant screen visible from the patio. 

Partnership OGS awardeesAlthough Sunday evening’s reception marked the first event for the Partnership, the true celebration occurred on Monday. Beginning with the ACE15 Opening General Session, we were thrilled to witness the Partnership’s first-ever Presidents Award for Distribution System Operation presented to two utilities: Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWDSC) and Long Beach Water Department (CA). Utility representatives, Cynthia-Andrews Tate of Long Beach Water Department and Dr. Sun Liang for MWDSC, were invited onstage to be recognized by hundreds of their peers in the audience, creating outstanding exposure for their respective utilities and the Partnership. 

After the conference opening session, the Partnership Awards Luncheon took place at the Hilton adjacent to the convention center. Held as an invitation-only event, the luncheon was sponsored by HDR, with Sarah Clark as a featured speaker and colleagues Ken Lykens and Chance Lauderdale also in attendance.  Additional speakers included Becki Clark (USEPA Deputy Director of the Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water), Gene Koontz (AWWA President), Barb Martin (Sr. Manager - Partnership Programs) and Dr. Robert Cheng (Partnership Steering Committee Chair), who also served as the master of ceremonies. Dr. Cheng was specifically recognized for his service as Steering Committee Chair, and Michael Barsotti of Champlain Water District (VT) was recognized as well for his service as PEAC Chair.  Both outgoing Chairs will complete their terms at the end of November 2015.  Each was awarded a special Partnership commemorative vase.  This year, 48 water treatment plants received the 15-Year Directors Award, marking a decade-and-a-half of maintaining their commitment to treatment plant optimization. 

ACE15 Award image

All-in-all, the Partnership Awards luncheon recognized the achievments of 52 utilities, 78 treatment plants, and 10 distribution systems. Together, these utilities serve a total population of more than 43 million people, which is more than 13% of the United States population. Representatives from each award-winning plant were invited to the ante-room to have their award photo taken with AWWA President Gene Koontz and Becki Clark of the USEPA.

ACE's Monday events also brought with it a Professional Session, co-sponsored by the Partnership, featuring the distribution system optimization program and innovations in distribution system optimization techniques.  The session was well-attended and featured presentations by AWWA Partnership staff, representatives from subscriber utilities, and service providers. 

All Partnership volunteers and staff wish to thank the many ACE15 participants and utility employees for their support of the Partnership for Safe Water and 20 years of optimization.  We hope to see you at the Water System Optimization Conference this fall in Hershey, Pennsylvania, (from October 28-30, 2015) for a highly informative conference and 20th Anniversary celebration!
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Images:
Top Right: Cover of the Partnership's newly released Self-Assessment for Water Treatment Plant Optimization. 

Middle left: Cynthia-Andrews Tate of Long Beach Water Department (L) and Dr. Sun Liang for MWDSC (R) being awarded at the ACE15 Opening General Session.

Bottom right: Gene Koontz (AWWA President) (L), and 
Becki Clark, USEPA Deputy Director of the Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water (R), shown presenting the 15-Year Directors Award to Michael DeVries of Metro. Water District of Salt Lake & Sandy (M). 

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