For the second time in three years, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) has awarded Port Orange's Garnsey Water Treatment Plant the department's Plant Operations Excellence Award in the large system category (+50,000 persons). The award recognizes outstanding treatment plant operation, maintenance, and compliance.

"This award reflects superb effort on the part of our water operations, maintenance, distribution, and lab professionals," said Andy Neff, Public Utilities Director. "Our employees continuously strive to exceed standards to provide the highest drinking water quality for the citizens of Port Orange."

The process to garner the FDEP award actually started at the county level where Port Orange was selected by the Volusia County Health Department to be the representative from Volusia County. The Garnsey Water Plant then competed against entrants from other counties within the Central Florida region, which is one of six regions. From that competition, Port Orange's water plant was selected to receive the Central Florida Regional Award as the best treatment plant.

What set the Garnsey Water Plant apart from the competitors was the continual improvements made at the plant, and treating the water to a high level of water safety. Progressive capital improvements, efficient operations, and consistently high plant sanitary inspections factored into the selection as the county entrant. Extensive preparation of the submission presentation that verified the achievements of the plant was instrumental in the regional award.

For more information, please visit the City of Port Orange.