(Lawrenceville, Ga., Dec. 17, 2010) - The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday recognized Water Resources for earning the Georgia Association of Water Professionals award for having the best Large Water Distribution System in the state. 

The award is given each year to a large, medium and small water utility. Three volunteers from peer utilities rate the applications submitted for the award. The County received one of the highest ratings ever given - 334 points out of a total 336 points - for a combined rating of 99.4 percent. 

Acting Director Lynn Smarr said, "I am so proud of our employees in the distribution system maintenance group for winning this award. This is a great honor and shows that our employees make sure our customers have safe, clean drinking water delivered to the tap every day."

Water Resources received the award on Nov. 9 at the fall conference in Dalton, Ga. The criteria for the award includes: review of a department's resources ratio, equipment, materials and parts on hand, equipment condition and system maps Also graded are facilities management and operations, fire hydrant testing and maintenance, pressure-flow testing program, backflow prevention program and long-range planning. Ratings are also given for safety, emergency response and technical training programs. 

Deputy Director of Operations Tyler Richards said, "We are so pleased that our team is one of the best. Our employees take their service to the community seriously and make sure that water service is always the top priority for public health and fire protection."