Sharon Earns Clean Water Award

The following is a news release:

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) today announced the 35 winners of the annual Public Water Systems Awards, presented each year during National Drinking Water Week, which lasts from May 4-11, 2014 this year. The awards were presented during a ceremony held today at the Sharon Community Center in Sharon.

“The Commonwealth is fortunate to have 1,733 public water systems that work every day to deliver the water service that is essential to daily life and economic growth, and one that we should never take for granted,” said MassDEP Commissioner David W. Cash. “Therefore, we gratefully acknowledge and commend those systems whose service reaches the top echelon in terms of consistency and foresight in planning for the future.”

This year also commemorates the 40th Anniversary of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, an action that formed the core of the national efforts to provide quality drinking water and protect the health of all citizens.

“The professionals operating our drinking water treatment plants, and the towns and cities that support them, play a crucial role in protecting people's health by providing clean, safe drinking water to our homes, schools and businesses. These unsung heroes deserve our thanks,” said Curt Spalding, regional administrator of the U.S Environmental Protection Agency's New England Office.

All of the state's public water systems were nominated simply by serving as a public water system. The following is a list of the 35 award recipients chosen this year by MassDEP:

Water Conservation Awards:

Danvers Water Department

Franklin Water Department 

West Groton Water Supply District

Energy Conservation Award:

Lawrence Water Works   

Lee Water Department

New Bedford Department of Public Infrastructure

Worcester DPW, Water Supply Division

Regional Award:

Elm Hill Water District – Auburn

Granby Housing Authority

Leominster Water Division

Malden Water Division (Massachusetts Water Resources Authority)

Taunton Water Division

Source Protection Award:

Cambridge Water Department          

East Northfield Water Company

North Brookfield Water Department

Sharon Water Department                 

Small Community Water Systems:

Overlook Life Care Community – Charlton

Non-Transient/Non-Community Water Systems:

Bright Horizons Daycare – Boxborough

Cosgrove Realty – Boxborough

Prime Toyota, Route 2 – Lancaster

Wee Forest Folk – Carlisle

Consecutive Water Systems:

Beverly Water Department

Boston Water and Sewer Commission (MWRA)

Marblehead Water Department (MWRA)

Mattapoisett River Valley Water District

Quincy Water Department (MWRA)

Randolph Water Department

Medium & Large Community Water Systems:

Aquarion Water Company – Hingham/Hull

Aquarion Water Company – Millbury

Devens/Mass Development – Ayer

Easton Water Division

Lynn Water and Sewer Commission

Northampton Water Department                        

Orleans Water Department

Weymouth Water Department

National Drinking Water Week recognizes the importance of water source protection and conservation, as well as the value, importance and fragility of the Commonwealth's water resources. MassDEP works with drinking water utilities to make sure that the water delivered to consumers meets all federal and state standards and is clean and abundant. These efforts are vital to the Massachusetts economy and to the public health. For more information on drinking water, visit: Drinking Water

Sponsors for this year’s event include: Barnstable County Water Utilities Association, Massachusetts Rural Water Association, Massachusetts Water Works Association, New England Water Works Association, Middlesex/Worcester Co. Water Works Association, Plymouth County Water Works Association, RCAP Solutions and Western Massachusetts Waterworks Association.

MassDEP is responsible for ensuring clean air and water, safe management and recycling of solid and hazardous wastes, timely cleanup of hazardous waste sites and spills and the preservation of wetlands and coastal resources.