Clean Water Services Recognized for Excellent Management

Hillsboro, OR — March 1, 2004— Clean Water Services received the “Excellence in Management Recognition” award from the Association of Metropolitan Sewerage Agencies (AMSA) during a ceremony at AMSA’s 2004 Winter Conference in February.

The Excellence in Management Recognition Program recognizes public wastewater utilities that have successfully implemented progressive management initiatives addressing the challenges facing the clean water industry. Clean Water Services was selected for this honor based on its significant efforts over the last several years.

Key among these efforts was Clean Water Services’ aggressive “Competitiveness Initiative” launched in 1997 which has helped the District save ratepayers nearly $72 million over the last seven years through the use of new technologies, a 22 percent reduction in its workforce, and the consolidation of staff and resources while continuing to meet some of the most stringent water quality standards in the nation. Clean Water Services’ efforts are paying off for the river as well as its ratepayers—studies have shown the Tualatin River is healthier than it’s been in decades.

“Clean Water Services truly embodies the spirit of the Excellence in Management Recognition Program,” said Ken Kirk, AMSA’s Executive Director. “It is an honor and an inspiration to showcase the achievements of our nation’s public wastewater utilities.”

Clean Water Services is the sanitary sewer and surface water management utility for more than 473,000 customers in urban Washington County and small portions of Multnomah County, Clackamas County, Lake Oswego, and Portland. Clean Water Services operates four wastewater treatment plants, constructs and maintains flood management and water quality projects and manages flow in the Tualatin River to improve water quality and protect fish habitat. Although Clean Water Services maintains a close working relationship with Washington County government, it is a separately managed and financed public utility.

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