Three California water agencies were honored for their strong commitment to environmental stewardship.
North Marin Water District, San Diego County Water Authority and Orange County Water District were named recipients of the prestigious Theodore Roosevelt Environmental Award for Excellence in Natural Resources Management. The awards were presented by the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) at its annual fall conference.
ACWA has presented the Theodore Roosevelt Award each year since 1993 to recognize water agencies for programs that protect natural resources while meeting public needs. Winners are selected in three budget categories.
"Today, sound water management demands that water agencies strike a balance between the needs of the environment and their customers," ACWA President Jim Blake said. "This year's winning agencies are a tribute to Theodore Roosevelt's unique approach to managing natural resources for the benefit of the environment and people."
In the first budget category ($25,000 or less), North Marin Water District won top honors for an innovative newsletter that educated customers about their individual water use. The newsletter featured a chart specific to each household showing water use over the past year.
San Diego County Water Authority won the award in the second budget category ($25,000 to $100,000). The authority was recognized for an outstanding environmental training program to educate field staff and management about sensitive species and habitats.
In the third budget category ($100,000 or more), the award went to Orange County Water District for its Santa Ana River Conservation Trust Fund. The fund has allowed several groups to join forces in combating a non-native plant species that threatens the health of the Santa Ana River watershed.
ACWA is a statewide organization whose 440 public water agencies are responsible for about 90 percent of the water delivered in California.
For more information, visit www.acwanet.com.
Source: ACWA
