Little Rock Wastewater

About LRW

2009 Awards

LRW received several awards and recognition during 2009 for contributions to the environment, financial reporting, safety professional of the year and public education. The awards LRW received are as follows:

NACWA Peak Performance Awards – The National Association of Clean Water Agencies (“NACWA”) awarded Little Rock Wastewater two Gold Peak Performance Awards for both treatment facilities, the Fourche Creek Treatment Facility and Adam’s Field Treatment Facility for 2008.

The Peak Performance Award has been bestowed upon wastewater agencies since 1986. It is given to facilities that consistently meet all National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit limits during the year. Between the Fourche Creek Treatment Facility and Adam’s Field Treatment Facility there are a combined 1,194 possible violation points. To be awarded the Gold Peak Performance Award means that an agency has ZERO violations, which Little Rock Wastewater achieved for 2008.

Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting – The Government Finance Officers Association (“GFOA”) has awarded the Finance Department of Little Rock Wastewater the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (“CAFR”).

The GFOA is a nonprofit professional association that serves approximately 17,500 professionals in the governmental finance field. The Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting is the “highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting” by the GFOA and is considered to be a “significant accomplishment by a government and its management.” Little Rock Wastewater’s CAFR was judged by an impartial panel that looked for high standards of the program such as “demonstrating a constructive ‘spirit of full disclosure’ to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the CAFR.”

This is Little Rock Wastewater’s fourth consecutive year to accomplish this feat.

Excellence in Achievement Award– The Universal Public Purchasing Certification Council (UPPCC) has publically recognized Little Rock Wastewater (LRW) for having a 100% fully certified purchasing department by awarding the organization the “Excellence in Achievement” award for 2009.

The UPPCC applauds LRW’s efforts but also offers “an even greater distinction” in public purchasing, which is the Sterling Agency Award. Once a public purchasing agency becomes fully certified and maintains the certification for three consecutive years, the agency will then automatically receive the Sterling Agency Award in recognition of the commitment and dedication to purchasing in the public sector. Little Rock Wastewater has four (4) fully certified purchasing employees and it is the only fully certified public purchasing staff in the state of Arkansas. This is the second year in a row Little Rock Wastewater has been recognized for this achievement.

Best of Little Rock Award - Little Rock Wastewater has been selected for the 2009 Best of Little Rock Award in the Wastewater Treatment category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA).
The USCA "Best of Local Business" Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of business through service to their customers and community.
Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2009 USCA Award Program focused on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USCA and data provided by third parties.

Environmental Stewardship Award - The Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) bestowed Little Rock Wastewater (LRW) the 2009 Environmental Stewardship Award (aka the Envy) for its Can the Grease® program.

The ADEQ honors the quality and innovation of environmental projects and program through the Arkansas Environmental Stewardship Award. The award showcases the work of residents, businesses, industries, farms and government offices or agencies that are protecting and enhancing the environment in extraordinary ways to demonstrate they deserve the “Envy” of Arkansas.

In 2008, approximately 15,229 Can the Grease© starter kits were distributed across Little Rock. 2,100 starter kits were delivered or mailed to residential customers, 8,000 to 52 apartment complexes and mobile home parks, and approximately 4,100 at 13 various community events or tradeshows. An additional 1,029 kits were hung on doors of residences adjacent to grease related overflows.

George W. Burke Jr. Facility Safety Award – The Water Environment Federation (WEF) presents the George W. Burke Jr. Facility Safety Award to a municipal or industrial wastewater facility in recognition of an on-going safety initiative documented by the development, implementation and/or improvement of a comprehensive safety program. WEF and its global network of Member Associations help provide water quality professionals with the latest in water quality education, training, and business opportunities. WEF's diverse membership includes scientists, engineers, regulators, academics, plant managers and operators, and other professionals working in the United States and around the world. As a membership organization, WEF uses the collective knowledge of its membership to further a shared goal of improving water quality. WEF has guided technological development in water quality since 1928.

Safety Professional of the Year - The Arkansas Water Environment Association (AWEA) Safety Professional of the Year Award is given to individuals who have shown dedication and outstanding achievement in promoting safety awareness. Since 1931, the common goal of the members of Arkansas Water Works (AWW) & AWEA has been to provide clean water. For 76 years, attendees have considered the AWW & AWEA Annual Conference, Short School and Expo the premier event for information management in the water and wastewater industries. With more than 2,500 members representing every aspect of the water and wastewater profession, the AWW & WEA is the largest association for water professionals in Arkansas.

2008 Awards

Awards – LRW received several awards and recognition during 2008 for their contributions to the environment, financial reporting, purchasing manager of the year and public education. The awards LRW received are as follows:

1). NACWA Peak Performance Awards – The National Association of Clean Water Agencies (“NACWA”) awarded Little Rock Wastewater two Gold Peak Performance Awards for both treatment facilities, the Fourche Creek Treatment Facility and Adam’s Field Treatment Facility for 2007.

NACWA is an organization that represents the interests of the country's wastewater treatment agencies, “true environmental practitioners that serve the majority of the sewered population in the United States, and collectively treat and reclaim more than 18 billion gallons of wastewater each day. NACWA maintains a key role in the development of environmental legislation, and works closely with federal regulatory agencies in the implementation of environmental programs.”

2). Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting – The Government Finance Officers Association (“GFOA”) has awarded the Finance Department of Little Rock Wastewater the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (“CAFR”).

The GFOA is a nonprofit professional association that serves approximately 16,000 professionals in the governmental finance field. The Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting is the “highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting” by the GFOA and is considered to be a “significant accomplishment by a government and its management.” Little Rock Wastewater’s CAFR was judged by an impartial panel that looked for high standards of the program such as “demonstrating a constructive ‘spirit of full disclosure’ to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the CAFR.”

This is Little Rock Wastewater’s third consecutive year to accomplish this feat.

3). NACWA National Environmental Achievement Award for Public Information and Education – Little Rock Wastewater was selected to receive a National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) National Environmental Achievement Award for its excellence in Public Information and Education.

NACWA’s Public Information and Education Award is presented for outstanding programs in the following categories: video, printed publication, educational program, or e-media. LRW was selected to receive this honor for the Educational Program category for the Can the Grease© program. LRW’s Can the Grease© program was established in 2002 and since its inception LRW has seen significant reductions in grease related overflows. LRW was recognized with this honor at the NACWA Summer Conference & 38th Annual Meeting on Wednesday, July 16, 2008 at the Hilton Anchorage in Anchorage, Alaska.

4). Recognition of 30 Year Membership and Manager of the Year – Little Rock Wastewater was recognized by the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (NIGP) for its 30 years of “continued loyalty and support.” NIGP also recognized a LRW employee with the Purchasing Manager of the Year Award.

Little Rock Wastewater (LRW) joined NIGP on June 1, 1978 when there was only one employee in the purchasing department. Today LRW has 3 Certified Professional Public Buyers (CPPB) and 1 Certified Public Purchasing Officer (CPPO). Once the remaining candidate becomes certified, LRW will obtain a Silver Membership in the NIGP and will receive a national award as recognition.

“Now you can obtain a 4 year college degree in public purchasing but it’s difficult because many colleges don’t offer the courses,” says Mike Pearson, CPPO, Purchasing Agent for LRW. NIGP is still the main way for a public procurement professional to be notarized. Certification is a rigid process and they offer two ways to be certified: Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB) and Certified Public Purchasing Officer (CPPO). Besides certification, NIGP offers an array of services such as networking opportunities, educational resources such as development courses, online resources and research programs, as well as procurement software.

Since 1944, the NIGP has been serving governmental purchasing professionals, and today the institute embraces more than 2,900 agencies and 14,000 professionals. NIGP is “committed to building a world in which public procurement professionals are recognized and respected for their dedication to public service and esteemed for the value they bring to their communities.”

In conjunction with the 30-year recognition mark, the Arkansas Chapter of NIGP awarded Mike Pearson, CPPO, Purchasing Agent for LRW Purchasing, the Manager of the Year Award. The award is based on “significant contributions to the advancement of the purchasing profession and professional development as demonstrated by the criteria outlined in the award entry form. Candidates for the Manager of the Year Award are selected from nominations submitted by NIGP Chapter affiliates or individuals.” Mr. Pearson has served as an instructor for NIGP in Kansas, Missouri, Mississippi, Florida, Georgia, and in Canada. He has conducted workshops all over the US and has tutored over 50 people in Arkansas who eventually became certified under NIGP. He also helped form the first purchasing Co-Op in the state of Arkansas under Metroplan (now defunct), which included membership from various entities such as Little Rock Wastewater, the Pulaski County School Districts, City of Little Rock, City of North Little Rock, City of Jacksonville, Little Rock Airport, and Central Arkansas Transit just to name a few.

5). Volunteers in Public School (VIPS) Recognition Award – Little Rock Wastewater was awarded a “VIPS” for its “outstanding volunteerism in support of the Little Rock School District.” Little Rock Wastewater is a partner in education with Little Rock Central High and Washington Magnet School and participates with the schools regularly with Career Day, Science Fairs and donations. It was presented to LRW at An Evening with the Stars recognition ceremony held at the Little Rock Zoo.