Lynchburg Water System Operator Wins EPA Award for Excellence (VA)
(PHILADELPHIA - August 25, 2011) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today presented Leslie Gryder of Lynchburg, Va. with the EPA mid-Atlantic award for excellence in operating a large public drinking water system.
“Public drinking water plant operators
are on the front lines for preventing waterborne diseases, and
protecting public health,” said EPA Regional Administrator
Shawn M. Garvin. “Leslie Gryder exemplifies excellence among
the many highly qualified, trained professionals who are dedicated
to improving the quality of our drinking water.”
Gryder has made exceptional contributions to the
City of Lynchburg’s water treatment plant by implementing new
processes and procedures to keep the City’s drinking water
safe and clean, including:
· Improving taste and odor by minimizing the formation of algae; and,
· Assisting neighboring systems with preventing and removing microbial contamination – achieving considerable cost savings in the process.
EPA’s mid-Atlantic region created the Professional Operator Excellence Award in 2006, highlighting outstanding performance by public water system plant operators. Awards are given to operators in two categories: large (more than 3,300 customers) and small (fewer than 3,300 customers).
Gryder was nominated for EPA’s award by the Virginia Department of Health.
For more information on this award: http://www.epa.gov/reg3wapd/drinking/awards.htm.