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Applications Due By:
April 5, 2013

NACWA’s Peak Performance Awards Program recognizes member agency facilities for excellence in wastewater treatment as measured by their compliance with their National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit requirements in the 2012 calendar year.  This program has honored thousands of NACWA member agency facilities since its inception in 1987, and the hope is that this year eclipses last year’s record number of honorees.

Three Categories to Recognize Facility Achievement

NACWA’s Peak Performance Awards Program consists of three categories – Platinum, Gold and Silver.  The criteria for each category are as follows:

• Platinum Awards recognize 100% compliance with NPDES permits over a consecutive five year period.  If 100% compliance is maintained beyond the initial award, Platinum Award status is continued.  Should 100% compliance not be maintained, member agency facilities must receive four consecutive Gold Awards to again be eligible for another Platinum Award in their fifth year of compliance.

Included in the application packet is a list of facilities that, based on NACWA’s records, are eligible for a Platinum Award this year if they attained full compliance for the entire 2012 calendar year.  If your agency has a facility that you believe is eligible for a 2012 Platinum Award, but is not included on the enclosed list, please fax a copy of your Gold Award certificates from the past four years (2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011) to Kelly Brocato at NACWA’s National Office, fax: 202/833-4657.

• Gold Awards are presented to facilities with no NPDES permit violations for the 2012 calendar year.
• Silver Awards are presented to facilities with no more than five NPDES violations 2012 calendar year.

All eligible member agency facilities must provide at least secondary treatment, or advanced primary treatment with a 301(h) waiver.  Additionally, there are no facility capacity minimums for Peak Performance Award eligibility.

How to Apply for 2012 Peak Performance Recognition

The attached Peak Performance Award Application Packet provides you with complete details and information to apply for recognition.  Applications for the 2012 Peak Performance Awards Program are due by April 5, 2013.  Applying for Peak Performance recognition is easy– facilities may complete and submit their applications in the following ways:

1. Online Application on CleanWater Central ™ (preferred) – Visit www.cleanwatercentral.org to complete and submit an online application.  (Please see page 3 of the application packet for detailed instructions.)
2. Download Application Materials and Fax or E-mail – Visit NACWA’s website, www.nacwa.org, and download the application form.  Complete and submit the application form to Mark Hoeke via fax 202.318.1472 or e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
3. Via U.S. Mail – If your utility is submitting a significant number of pages and/or several applications, please submit the application(s) via regular mail to Kelly Brocato, at NACWA’s National Office, 1816 Jefferson Place, NW, Washington, DC.  20036.

Applicants must provide a copy of the applicable federal or state-issued NPDES permit requirements or a copy of these requirements must already be on file with NACWA.  Please review the “What to Submit” section, which can be found on page 2 of the application packet carefully to determine what your facility must submit to be eligible for a Peak Performance Award.

If the survey form is not adequate to show all permit requirements and discharge results, it may be modified or a separate table may be submitted by e-mail to Mark Hoeke at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Please use an Excel spreadsheet where possible and include monthly flow data even if flow is not a permit limit.

2012 Peak Performance Award Recognition

NACWA’s 2012 Platinum Peak Performance honorees will be recognized at an Awards Ceremony and Reception during NACWA’s 2013 Summer Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio. First-time Platinum Award recipients will be invited to accept their award in person during the ceremony while Multi-Platinum honorees will be recognized in a Multimedia presentation.  All award winning facilities will be showcased in the July/August edition of NACWA’s bi-monthly e-newsletter, the Clean Water Advocate.  Certificates for all Platinum, Gold and Silver honorees will be distributed to the NACWA main contact in early August 2013.  Additionally, the opportunity to purchase Peak Performance wear will be provided for all honorees.

Questions?

Please contact Mark Hoeke via e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or phone: 202/361-7446, with any questions you may have regarding completion of the Peak Performance application form. General questions about the Peak Performance Award Program and/or the awards ceremony should be directed to Kelly Brocato, at NACWA’s National Office, phone: 202/833-1449 or e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

*This Member Update is provided to Affiliate Members for information only.

ATTACHMENTS

• 2012 Peak Performance Application Packet

• 2012 Peak Performance Application