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Accreditation of Water and Wastewater Utilities. Accreditation Vision. “ Accredited water and wastewater utilities will be recognized internationally as meeting high standards of operations effectiveness and management efficiency”. Accreditation Concepts. Voluntary program
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Accreditation Vision “Accredited water and wastewater utilities will be recognized internationally as meeting high standards of operations effectiveness and management efficiency”
Accreditation Concepts • Voluntary program • For all utility types and sizes • Outcome-oriented (water quality, health protection) • “Above and beyond” existing and future regulations • Improving customers’ satisfaction • Tool in evaluation of utilities by primacy agencies
Accreditation Program Development • Policies and Procedures • Benefits • Standards
Policies & Procedures • I – Steps in the accreditation process • II – Maintenance of accreditation • III – Standards of accreditation • IV – AAPC selection & responsibilities • V – Third-party auditors • VI – AAPC meetings and public access • VII – Code of good conduct for the AAPC • VIII–AAPC procedures in matters of ethics & integrity • IX – Utility accreditation coordinator • X – Special utility reviews & consideration of complaint • XI – Disclosure & confidentiality of information • XII – Review & appeal of AAPC & auditor actions • XIII – Rights & responsibilities of accredited utilities
Benefits and Incentives • Financial • Bond ratings, insurance ratings, ISO ratings • State revolving funds (grants and loans) • Economic development • Regulatory • Less oversight from primacy agencies • Waivers in future regulations • Social and Political • Consumer confidence • Attention to water quality, health-related issues • Recognition and credibility • Improved employee morale • Optimal performance will enable tap water providers to protect against known & unknown threats to public health
Distribution systems Water treatment Source water/ watershed protection Customer relations Business and planning Management Conservation, reuse Wastewater collection Wastewater treatment Wastewater pre-treatment Biosolids handling Emergency preparedness and security Asset management Standards
AWWA Support for Accreditation • AWWA Executive Committee • AWWA Board of Directors • Councils • AWWA Staff • Technical Workgroups • Standards Committees • Links to NSF, UL, CSA
Communication and Feedback within AWWA • AWWA Journal, MainStream, Opflow • Presentations at conferences, meetings • AWWA sections • Committees and councils • Individual feedback - send email to: ebaruth@awwa.org or enieminski@utah.gov
Stakeholder Process • Identification of direct and indirect stakeholders • Communication • Feedback, issues, & concerns from several groups • Participation in program development • Participation in education
Summary of Current Status • AWWA Board’s approval in January 2001 • Accreditation Policy Committee linked to AWWA Councils, EPA, WEF, and ASDWA • Distribution System Standards Committee approved in ballot process, awaiting public comments • Source Water/Watershed Standard criteria developed, Standards Committee formed • Water Treatment Standards Committee formed • Policy and procedures drafted • Identification of benefits underway