Division of Water
WATER SYSTEMS IN LEBANON, CARROLLTON WIN EPA AWARDS

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 23, 2005) – Two drinking water systems in Kentucky – the Lebanon Water Works and Carrollton Utilities – have won awards for outstanding performance from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The 2005 Safe Drinking Water Act Excellence Awards, launched by EPA earlier this year, are intended to highlight systems that demonstrate effective operations and maintenance as well as a commitment to maintaining and protecting drinking water and public water supplies.

The program’s principal objectives are to:

• Recognize systems that are demonstrating a commitment to compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act through outstanding operations and maintenance practices;
• Heighten overall public awareness of the contribution of public water supplies for ensuring adequate and safe drinking water;
• Encourage public support for maintaining this exemplary status.

Nominations were solicited in six categories, from small systems serving as few as 25 people up to those serving more than 10,000.  Both surface water and ground water systems were included.

Lebanon Water Works in central Kentucky won in the Medium Surface Water category.  The system serves 2,550 connections in the city of Lebanon and also provides water to Marion County Water District.  The utility is governed by a six-member water board chaired by Dr. Joe Green.  John L. Thomas is the water superintendent.
The water plant treats water from the Rolling Fork River and Fagan Branch Reservoir and can provide up to 5.2 million gallons of water per day.  Lebanon has more than 69 miles of distribution lines, three water tanks that can store 3 million gallons and one booster station.  The majority of the utility’s water meters are now read by radio, and a new Geographic Information System was recently installed.  The water system employs 12 people as water plant and distribution system operators, customer service and management.

Carrollton Utilities won in the Medium Ground Water category.  It provides water, wastewater and natural gas service to the city of Carrollton and to surrounding areas of Carroll County in northern Kentucky.  Bill Osborne is the general manager.  Carrollton's water plant treats groundwater from three wells at a capacity of 1.5 million gallons per day and distributes that water to two storage tanks.  There are 37 miles of mains that serve more than 1,590 customers with an additional 954 customers in the county.  The utility employs 27 people in its three service areas.

This is a significant achievement and demonstrates the utilities’ commitment to high water quality standards, excellence in operations and increased public health protection.

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