1. Local Assistance Unit March 2015
The pursuing excellence awards program’s intent is to
encourage systems to optimize and maintain robust barriers
from source to tap. The program also encourages cross-
system collaboration and aims to increase mentoring between
systems.
1. Set goals. Submit source water protection measures,
treatment performance goals and distribution
component goals.
2. Improve performance. Submit an optimization action
plan for a selected improvement opportunity.
3. Meet criteria. Meet all excellence criteria and submit
a completed form to receive a drinking water pursuing
excellence award.
 Receive your award during National
Drinking Water Week.
 Free training opportunities for staff.
 Public recognition in industry
publications, letter for system
administrator and language to
share with media, online,
and with customers.
 Pay for system’s participation
in the AWWA partnership
program (depending on
population served, ranges
from $3,600 to $50).
Currently 19 Colorado
systems participate in
partnership.
 Pay for professional
development for staff
participation (example: the
Boulder school-around $500)
 Cover sampling costs (up to a
certain amount).
 Reimburse system
improvements. For example,
if a system changed from
calcium hypochlorite to
sodium hypochlorite in order
to achieve goals set as part of
the program, we could
reimburse them for the cost
of the equipment and
solution.
 Receive drinking water
SRF loan incentives (to be
developed).
Survey results from a 2012 operator training revealed industry desire for an awards program to
recognize exceptional operators and drinking water systems. We collaborated with drinking
water utilities, organizations and universities to develop award criteria and in 2014 established
the Pursuing Excellence Awards Program.