LVMWD, TSD get national award

By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com

Photo courtesy of DEBORAH LOWE of LVMWD WATER, SEWER DISTRICTS EARN DISTINCTION-From left to right: Bill Smith, Triunfo Sanitation District (TSD) general manager; Ron Stark, TSD board president; Ann Dorgelo, Las Virgenes Municipal Water District (LVMWD) board president; and John Mundy, LVMWD general manager, proudly display plaques awarded for a job well done at a joint-powers water agency meeting last week.

While the Regional Water Quality Board is making plans to further reduce nutrient levels in the Malibu Creek Watershed, the efforts by the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District (LVMWD) and the Triunfo Sanitation District (TSD) to keep the watershed as clean as possible haven’t gone unnoticed.

LVMWD and TSD recently received an American Water Resources Association (AWRA) National Award, and officials reflected on that achievement at a joint venture meeting last week.

The two agencies own the Tapia wastewater reclamation plant located in the Malibu Creek Watershed. They received the Sandor C. Csallany Institutional Award for Exemplary Contributions to Water Resources Management. The award is named after the AWRA founder.

Robert J. Moresi, AWRA president, said LVMWD and TSD "have demonstrated leadership in water resources management by achieving an unmatched level of eminence in preserving and protecting water quality in the Malibu Creek Watershed."

The award was originally presented at AWRA’s national conference in Orlando last month. "I am extremely grateful for the honor extended to us by AWRA," said John Mundy, LVMWD’s general manager, who also oversees joint venture operations.

The award reflects the water agencies’ commitment toward stewardship of the watershed, he said. It also reflects "the dedication of our employees in preserving and improving the sensitive environment we are entrusted with in the Santa Monica Mountains."

The LVMWD/TSD joint venture treats an average of 9 million gallons of wastewater every day of the year through its Tapia Water reclamation facility and the Rancho Las Virgenes composting facility, both located on Las Virgenes Road in Malibu Canyon.

In addition, the joint venture supports water quality research in the watershed and hosts educational and outreach activities for every age level.

The two agencies handle wastewater treatment for about 80,000 residents of Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Hidden Hills, Oak Park, Westlake Village and unincorporated portions of Los Angeles and Ventura counties.