The City of Clermont’s Environmental Services Department recently earned a prestigious state award for its drinking water plant, making it one of just 0.5 percent of all plants in the state.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) recognized the city’s East Drinking Water System with the 2018 Plant Operations Excellence award.
Clermont received the honor for the seventh year in a row and was one of just eight total drinking water plants selected out of the 1,621 community water systems in Florida – and the only one in Central Florida.
“I am extremely proud of the entire Water Team for receiving this prestigious award,” Environmental Services Director Dennis Westrick said. “It exemplifies their dedication to the public water supply industry, proving that they go above and beyond to ensure that water customers in Clermont are provided with safe, reliable drinking water. This award demonstrates that the City lives up to the commitment to provide exceptional services that enhance the quality of life for the Clermont community.”
Westrick presented the certificate to Clermont Mayor Gail Ash and council members during the Clermont City Council meeting Feb. 12 in City Hall.
“I’m not surprised,” Ash said. “I’ve always said, Clermont is exceptional across the board in all of our departments.”
Earlier this month, GIS Specialist Joselito “Jesse” DelValle, a member of the city’s Asset Management Division, accepted the award on behalf of the City of Clermont on February 5 at the annual Focus on Change Seminar in Ocala. DelValle played a key role in preparing the award application and is a licensed water operator in Florida.
“Clermont East continues to establish itself as a leader in taking proactive, innovative measures to not only provide quality water to their customers but also to conserve water resources,” DEP Central District Director Aaron Watkins said in a statement.
“DEP is proud to celebrate the achievements of Clermont East as one of this year’s Plant Excellence Award winners. The state’s water facility operators are key to ensuring a safe and sustainable drinking water supply for our residents and to helping protect Florida’s environment together.”
Clermont’s plant uses advanced metering infrastructure technology to monitor water usage and to target conservation measures where it will pay off most.
Each year, DEP presents awards to recognize facilities that demonstrate a special commitment to excellence in management through dedicated professionalism and that have an impeccable history of record-keeping compliance.
