WaterOne once again has been honored with the Sustainable Water Utility Management Award by the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA), marking the second time it has received this prestigious recognition.
This award recognizes utilities committed to sustainable management through a triple bottom line approach, highlighting WaterOne’s successful balance of economic, social, and environmental initiatives. These efforts include responsible resource management, public health protection, community responsibilities, and cost-effective services for ratepayers.
“We are incredibly honored to receive the Sustainable Water Utility Management Award for a second time. This recognition demonstrates our unwavering commitment to sustainability and excellence in water management,” said General Manager Shaun Pietig. “We remain focused on providing our community with safe, reliable, high-quality water while implementing innovative practices that ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.”
In its application, WaterOne showcased its strong financial performance, evidenced by its AAA bond rating and conservative fiscal practices. This includes a comprehensive 40-year Master Plan, increased operating and rate stabilization reserves, and improved customer equity and affordability through recently-implemented rate structure changes. WaterOne is also recognized as a leader in social responsibility through initiatives like its Citizen’s Water Academy outreach program, establishment of DEI frameworks, and endorsement of the Kansas City Regional Climate Action Plan.
The award further commended WaterOne for its investments in innovative facilities, such as its state-of-the-art water quality laboratory and Wolcott Treatment Plant. Other projects include a recently completed ozone treatment facility, Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), and a solar array at the Lamar Pumping Station. WaterOne's sustainable operations strategies encompass plant design, technology choices, asset management, fleet improvements, carbon emission studies, climate resiliency planning, and much more. Additionally, it maintains an award-winning communication program that promotes its pro-tap initiative – I Love Tap – through its website.
Most importantly, customer satisfaction remains high, with WaterOne achieving an overall rating above 90%.
The award was presented to WaterOne at the AMWA Executive Management Conference on October 21, 2024. AMWA represents some of the largest publicly owned drinking water systems in the United States. WaterOne has previously earned the AMWA Gold Award for Exceptional Utility Performance and the Platinum Award for Utility Excellence. Additional recognition earned by WaterOne can be found at waterone.org/awards.