UTILITY DEPARTMENT RECEIVES AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE

CORINTH, TX, August 11, 2020 – The Corinth Utility Department earned special recognition from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality by receiving two awards for outstanding and innovative operations. Led by Gary Parker, Utilities Operations Manager, these awards demonstrate the efforts of city staff exceeding state requirements in implementing effective ways to improve the water operations to protect the public health of our community.

Earlier this year, the City received the Outstanding Public Water System Award, which recognizes overall excellence in all aspects of operating a public water system.  A water system must go above the minimum state requirements in protecting public health and ensuring a reliable operation to receive this recognition.  And now, the City adds the Outstanding Cross-Connection Control Recognition Award and the Proactive Water System Award to its list of accomplishments.

"These awards not only exemplify the highest standards as it relates to water quality but in staff's efforts every day to make things better for our community," stated Cody Collier, Director of Public Works. "The staff is fully committed to protecting the public health of our residents, the business community, and visitors of our great City. "

To receive the Outstanding Cross-Connection Control Recognition Award, the utility department had to maintain an exceptional cross-connection program protecting the City's distribution system from contamination. This included successfully developing and implementing plumbing regulations, construction inspections, and backflow prevention.  
 
The Proactive Water System Award recognizes public water systems for using creative and effective ways to improve their operations, achieve compliance, and better serve their customers.  The City received this award for its partnership with Upper Trinity Regional Water District in providing water conservation education and performing residential and commercial irrigation inspections Additionally, the utility department installed smart water meters and created a water rebate incentive program to serve their customers better.

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is the primary environmental agency for the State of Texas, with 2,800 employees located in a central Austin office, as well as 16 regional offices throughout Texas. It strives to protect the state's public health and natural resources consistent with sustainable economic development. Their goal is clean air, clean water, and the safe management of waste.