News

The American Public Works Association’s San Diego and Imperial Counties Chapter recognized Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s LT2 Improvements at the David C. McCollom Water Treatment Plant as “Project of the Year” for projects completed in 2013 valued between $26 million and $75 million.

The award was presented to OMWD on Thursday, May 8 at the Handlery Hotel during the association’s annual luncheon honoring public works projects.

“OMWD is proud to once again see our projects recognized by our peers in the public works community, especially as our staff worked tremendously hard to successfully complete this lengthy and complex undertaking. The Project of the Year award is recognition of our enduring commitment to providing reliable, high-quality deliveries of water to our customers,” said Lawrence Watt, OMWD’s Board President.

The project saw OMWD upgrade its David C. McCollom Water Treatment Plant to meet requirements outlined in the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (LT2). Ultimately, the upgrades allow for continuing regulatory compliance as up to 34 million gallons of water per day are treated at the plant.

OMWD financed the project through a funding agreement with the California Department of Public Health. The resulting low borrowing costs are expected to save OMWD ratepayers approximately $5 million over the full 20-year term when considered against conventional methods of financing.

This is the third consecutive year that an OMWD project has been recognized by the American Public Works Association’s San Diego and Imperial Counties Chapter.

2014-05-08 APWA L-R: Operations Manager Tom Kennedy, Board President Larry Watt, General Manager Kim Thorner, Water Treatment Facilities Supervisor Dave Smith, Operations Manager George Briest, Inspection Supervisor Chad Williams