Feel free to drink from the water fountains on base, because Naval Air Station Whiting Field has once again won the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Northwest District Plant Operations Excellence Award. This is the third consecutive year that NASWF has taken home the prize, which recognizes the hard work of the Public Works Department’s water management team.
The competition involves more than just great water. Criteria to be eligible for the award included detailed recordkeeping, good customer relations, staff and safety training, and outstanding operation/maintenance practices.
NASWF competed against 106 facilities in Northwest Florida in the small community category (facilities that serve less than 3,300 people), and the installation had to maintain stellar operations in all areas to continue to earn the award.
“You can’t have any Notices of Violation (NOVs), there are multiple regulations and best-management practices that are reviewed, to win the award you must have a perfect regulatory record for that year” said Jon Croci, Drinking Water Manager of NASWF.
NASWF was able to retain the award by going above and beyond the standard. Water conservation was a large factor, cutting our water usage by 15.1 percent in the past year and 40 percent overall since 2011. An Emergency Response Plan that is updated annually was another highlight. NASWF Base Operating Service Contractor, EML, is responsible for maintaining an efficient and regulatory compliant water treatment plant.
“Winning this award is a testament to the superb personnel and to the excellent work of our water treatment and environmental staff,” said Reginald Parker, Utilities and Energy Manager of the NASWF Public Works Department.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Water Quality Team at NAS Whiting Field earns FDEP award