Achievements & Awards

On March 28, 2005, an official of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency addressed some 200 City of Dallas employees who had gathered at City Hall for the premiere of a video about the value of Dallas’ new Environmental Management System. “No other City has quite so embraced the Environmental Management System as Dallas,” explained Debra Griffin, Associate Director of Compliance, Assurance and Enforcement for EPA’s Region 6. “I mean, you are setting the bar, and hopefully you will be an example and inspiration to other cities.”

It was welcome show of support from an especially credible source. In addition to such kind words from the EPA, however, Dallas has received recognition from other sources respected in the environmental universe:

• The Pretreatment and Laboratory Services Division of Dallas Water Utilities received the Pretreatment Program of the Year Award from the Texas Water Utilities Association.
• Central and Southside wastewater treatment plants received Peak Performance Awards from the National Association of Clean Water Agencies. These Peak Performance Awards program recognize NACWA member agency facilities for excellence in wastewater treatment as measured by their compliance with their National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits.
• East Side, Elm Fork, and Bachman Water Treatment Plants received recognition by the Partnership for Safe Water for implementing optimized water treatment. The Partnership for Safe Water is a unique cooperative effort between EPA, American Water Works Association, Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies, National Association of Water Companies, and Association of State Drinking Water Administrators. The Partnership encourages and assists water suppliers in the United States water to voluntarily enhance their water systems’ performance and better protect citizens from Cryptosporidium, Giardia and other microbial contaminants.
• The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality recognized Dallas Water Utilities’ treatment plants for their optimization of water—that is, for treating water to higher standards—and also has certified the utility’s internal laboratories for bacteria testing.
• In October 2005, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency lauded Dallas for its efforts to reduce ground-level ozone and deemed the City “one of the best places to commute.”
• For its work at Love Field (Dallas Exec?), the City’s Aviation Department received an NPEP Award for eliminating hazardous polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from ballasts in lighting fixtures.
• All municipal golf courses have received Certificates of Achievement from The Audubon Society for meeting standards of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program. The certificates recognize the City’s golf links for their conservation and preservation programs for plants and animals—including wildlife and habitat management as well as integrated pest management practices.
• In 2006, the Conservation Division of Dallas Water Utilities will receive a Watermark Award for Communications Excellence from the Water Environment Association of Texas and the Texas Section of the American Water Works Association.
• SustainLane ranked Dallas #24 out of the most sustainable cities in the nation in its 2006 Sustainable Cities Ranking.
• The State Energy Conservation Office and the Texas Energy Partnership gave the City of Dallas an award for outstanding achievements in energy efficiency.
• The North Texas Clean Air Coalition recognized the City of Dallas as one of the 2007 Best Workplaces for Commuters for providing outstanding commuter benefits which help reduce traffic congestion and air pollution in North Texas.