BSU honored with ninth water distribution excellence award

Bonita Springs Utilities Inc. was named the winner of the 2021 Division 4 Outstanding Water Distribution Award by the Florida Section of the American Water Works Association for the ninth time since 2009. The award recognizes excellence in distribution system water quality, operations records, maintenance, professionalism, safety, emergency preparedness and cross-connection control programs.

“Our operations team works extremely hard to deliver safe and reliable water service to our members,” said John R. Jenkins, BSU executive director. “We’re very pleased to have their hard work recognized by the FSAWWA.”

The Florida Section of the American Water Works Association began distributing annual Water Distribution System Awards in 1997, to recognize utilities that demonstrate high standards and integrity, naming eight winners per year based on the size of the utility operation.

With a service area covering 60 square miles, BSU’s distribution group is responsible for maintaining nearly 2.5 million feet of water pipe to serve our members. The distribution group also maintains over 3,600 fire hydrants and thousands of valves to provide fire protection and quickly isolate an area in the event of a line break. In addition, they inspect and maintain approximately 30,000 backflow prevention devices at customer meters to protect the integrity of BSU’s water system. BSU currently serves more than 30,000 members with an average daily water production of 10.22 million gallons.

Bonita Springs Utilities Inc. is a not-for-profit water and wastewater utility cooperative founded by local citizens in 1970. The member-owned utility provides service in the City of Bonita Springs, the Village of Estero and unincorporated South Lee County. The utility is recognized as an industry leader with awards from the American Water Works Association, Florida Department of Environmental Protection and Florida Water Environment Association.

For more information, visit the BSU website at www.BSU.us.