Service Authority wins award

The Prince William County Service Authority is pleased to announce it has won the National Association of Clean Water Agencies’ Platinum Award for the second consecutive year.

In 2014, the Service Authority won its first platinum award, which is given to NACWA member utilities that have experienced no permit violations for five consecutive years. Located in Woodbridge, the H.L. Mooney Advanced Water Reclamation Facility treats up to 24 million gallons a day of wastewater from eastern Prince William County.

Each month, the Service Authority issues reports to the Commonwealth of Virginia, which runs the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System created by the Environmental Protection Agency. The system tracks everything from phosphorus and nitrogen limits to dissolved oxygen minimums, which can seriously impact aquatic life.

An overabundance of nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus can cause an unhealthy buildup of algae growth in the Potomac River and, ultimately, the Chesapeake Bay. The water treated by the Mooney facility is discharged into Neabsco Creek, a tributary of the Potomac.

“We always strive to go above and beyond to meet all environmental regulations, which are some of the strictest in the nation,” said Service Authority General Manager Dean Dickey. “We are extremely proud of our hardworking staff at Mooney for this outstanding achievement.”

 “The Service Authority has a terrific track record when it comes to protecting the environment,” added Environmental Services and Water Reclamation Director Evelyn Mahieu. “To go six straight years without a single violation is a significant accomplishment and a splendid example of our commitment to environmental stewardship.”