Three VMLIP members recognized at Water JAM conference

When you turn on the tap, how much thought do you give into how the water was cleansed, filtered, and delivered to your home? Similarly, when you take a shower, wash the dishes or flush the toilet, do you ever think of where the water goes?

Many Virginians work tirelessly each day to ensure clean and safe drinking water is available in their communities, and that wastewater is then conveyed, treated, disinfected and returned to the environment on which we are all so dependent – for the health and livelihood of the residents, a thriving ecosystem, and as a contribution to economic vitality.

Each year many of Virginia’s water and wastewater treatment organizations come together to learn and grow at the joint conference of the Virginia Water Environment Association (VWEA) and Virginia Section American Water Works Association (VA AWWA) at Water JAM. This year’s conference was held at the Greater Richmond Convention Center and awards were presented to three VML Insurance Programs (VMLIP) members on September 10.

• The H.L. Mooney Advanced Water Reclamation Facility (AWRF), owned and operated by the Prince William County Service Authority, received the VWEA Facility Safety Award. This award recognizes safety in Virginia local wastewater works and is presented to an organization that has worked to promote an active and effective safety program, including the collection and reporting of safety data. The award is awarded based on the organization’s safety record, program, and an on-site inspection by the joint VWEA/VA AWWA Safety and Security Committee.

• The Pepper’s Ferry Regional Wastewater Treatment Authority received the George W. Burke, Jr. Safety Award. This award is presented each year to a facility that has documented and illustrated a quality safety program and safety record during the preceding year. This award was established in 1982 in honor of George W. Burke, Jr., who was instrumental in developing an annual safety survey and in producing several safety training aids and promotional packets.

•  Member employee Lynn Lowder with the Upper Occoquan Service Authority (UOSA) received the individual Laboratory Analyst Award. This award recognizes individuals for outstanding performance, professionalism and contributions to the water quality analysis profession.

Many of these members have utilized training and safety resources provided through VMLIP.

“Our board of directors established a Stop Loss Control Policy in 2004 which resulted in an aggressive safety program to the benefit of all employees,” said Peppers Ferry Regional Wastewater Treatment Authority (RWTA) Executive Director, and VMLIP Member Advisory Board Member Clarke Wallcraft.

“We worked with VMLIP to develop the policy and many of the safety programs outlined within it, in addition to utilizing the plethora of training materials they offer to implement the programs.”

The Pepper’s Ferry RWTA Loss Control Policy includes guidelines and programs outlining reporting, training, incident investigation, self-inspections, hazard communication, confined space entry, hearing conservation, and more.

“Congratulations to all performance and service award winners at this year’s Water JAM,” said VMLIP Director of Safety Services Beth Rosenthal. “These awards reiterate the importance of working safely on a daily basis, and remind us that this is not always an easy task.  Dedication, superior leadership, and practice of learned safety procedures are necessary to meet your safety goals and it is wonderful to be recognized for doing it well.”

The VWEA is a nonprofit technical and educational organization, which provides training and education for members. For more information on the resources available to assist your entity, contact VMLIP at (800) 963-6800.