 Amy Owens, DEQ Regional Administrator |
At their meetings on January 26, 2009 both the Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority (RWSA) and the Rivanna Solid Waste Authority (RSWA) received recognition from the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). Amy Owens, DEQ Regional Administrator, presented the RWSA and RSWA with Virginia Environmental Excellence Program (VEEP) E3 (Exemplary Environmental Enterprises) designation.
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“They have done a marvelous job reaching E3 status… it is notable that less than one fifth of VEEP facilities are at the E3 or E4 level,” Owens said.
The E3 designation is awarded based on environmental management system audits conducted by the DEQ and improvements based on DEQ recommendations. The management and staff of the Observatory Water Plant, the McIntire Road Recycling Center, the Paper Sort Facility and the Ivy Transfer Station were recognized and wall plaques were awarded.
“The Water and Sewer Authority’s South River and Moore’s Creek Facilities were accepted as E3 several years ago,” Owens said.
Benefits of DEQ’s E3 designation include administrative flexibility with environmental regulations, a single point-of contact within the DEQ, permit fee discounts, and public recognition.
“I would like to further congratulate the RSWA in its membership in EPAs National Partnership for Environmental Priorities,” said Owens. NPEP focuses on limiting the release of 31 priority chemicals into the environment.
Fania Gordon
