BOWLING GREEN, KY – American Water Works Association Kentucky/Tennessee Section awarded Warren County Water District with the 2010 Public Information Award of Excellence during the Water Professionals Conference held at the Nashville Convention Center earlier this week.  Warren Water was recognized in the Green/Environmental Communication Category for the “Be Green to Keep Blue Clean” campaign among large utilities in Kentucky and Tennessee.

“This award reinforces our commitment to environmental stewardship and education.  Warren Water recognized the need for an educational campaign related to the environment and our most precious natural resource, encouraging community involvement to protect our water sources,” stated General Manager Alan Vilines.

The AWWA Kentucky/Tennessee Section is one of 43 sections of the American Water Works Association, an elite group of professionals who strive to create the best solution based approaches in the supply and protection of drinking water.  Entries were judged by a panel of communication professionals based on criteria including objectives, originality of strategy, effective use of labor hours and budget, skill and creativity of campaign and extent to which objectives were achieved.

Susan Lancho, chair of the AWWA Kentucky/Tennessee Section’s public information committee stated, “Our annual public information awards program is a great opportunity to recognize the quality efforts of water utilities throughout Kentucky and Tennessee to educate consumers about drinking water issues and the environment.  We commend this year’s award recipients for their quality work as well as their commitment to the water utility industry and the customers they serve.”

“Be Green to Keep Blue Clean” campaign components included school presentations, an essay/poster contest along with a media blitz to reach the community with focus on elementary school students.  Community Relations Coordinator Dana Matukas is pleased with the success of the campaign.  “Thanks to the strength of community partnerships, Warren Water joined forces with Drive to a Million, Aluminum Can Recycling Program to provide joint elementary school presentations reaching over 3,200 students within three weeks.   The message included a broad overview of the vital role water plays in our daily lives and practicing the three R’s of being Green – REDUCE, REUSE and RECYCLE.  The responses from area educators were very positive with encouragement to return in 2011.”

“Warren Water continues to show strength among its peers in the water industry with continued acknowledgements for superior work,” added Henry Honaker, chairmen of the Warren County Water District’s Board of Commissioners.  “Warren Water professionals understand the importance of education and protecting our most vital natural resource.

About Warren County Water District

Warren Water is a public water and wastewater utility serving a blend of residential, agricultural, commercial and industrial customers.  An average 6.4 million gallons of water each day is transported to approximately 24,000 customers along with 4,000 wastewater service customers.  To ensure reliable service, Warren Water maintains more than 1,000 miles of pipeline along with 31 pumping stations and 28 storage tanks throughout a 530-square-mile area.

Visit www.warrenwater.com to learn more about Warren County Water District.