Volume 144, No. 65 covering the 2nd Session of the 105th Congress (1997 - 1998) was published by the Congressional Record.
The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“TRIBUTE TO BILLY G. TURNER, PRESIDENT, GEORGIA WATER WORKS BOARD” mentioning the Environmental Protection Agency was published in the House of Representatives section on pages H3591 on May 20, 1998.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
TRIBUTE TO BILLY G. TURNER, PRESIDENT, GEORGIA WATER WORKS BOARD
(Mr. COLLINS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. COLLINS. Mr. Speaker, 4 years ago the Columbus, Georgia Water Works Board established the goal of having the best water system in the Nation by the year 2000. With the guidance and experience of its president, Billy G. Turner, that goal has been achieved.
On June 8, the EPA Regional Administrator will present Mr. Turner with the award for having the best large water treatment plant in the Southeast. In all, he has received seven other prestigious national, State and regional awards in 1998, including top national honors for design.
As recognized by the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, they are doing more with less. Employees have been reduced without layoffs, and with a budget of $1 million less than last year. But most importantly, water rates have been kept at a lower rate than most comparable cities.
Due to Mr. Turner's work, dedication and innovation, he was appointed President of the International Water Environment Federation. I would like to commend Mr. Turner for his efforts. The City of Columbus and the State of Georgia are fortunate to have him.
Mr. Speaker, I also provide for the Congressional Record two recent articles from the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer about Mr. Turner and his outstanding work.
Mr. Speaker, just four years ago, the Columbus Water Works Board in the Third District of Georgia set out to have the best water system in the country by the year 2000. With the guidance and experience of its President, William Turner, that goal is being achieved. It takes many people to achieve the successes which have been reached by Columbus Water Works. But I rise today to single out and commend Mr. Turner for his outstanding leadership, vision, and commitment to water quality.
On June 8, Region IV Administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency John Hankinson will present Mr. Turner with the award for having the best large water treatment plant in the 10-state Southeast region. With seven prestigious national, state-wide, and regional awards in 1998, this is yet another honor for him in the water quality field.
Already, the Columbus combined sewer treatment and Riverwalk project earned top national honors for design from the American Academy of Environmental Engineers. Mr. Turner spearheaded the development of this new technology demonstration project which EPA estimated will save over
$42 billion for small cities across the country.
In addition, Columbus has received the first ever award for wastewater collection and water distribution from the Georgia Water and Pollution Control Association. It was honored with a Gold award for being in 100 percent compliance with all regulations from the Association of Metropolitan Sewer Agencies. And, the Water Works was presented with a certificate of excellence by the Government Finance Officers Association.
And if that weren't enough, they are doing more with less. Currently, water works employees have been reduced without layoffs and are operating with a budget $1 million less than last year. In addition, water rates have been kept at a lower rate than most comparable cities. Most importantly though, the quality of water in the Columbus area has been greatly enhanced, something which has immeasurable value and importance not only to Columbus but to cities nationwide.
Mr. Turner's work has also garnered the respect of his peers and colleagues. His dedication and innovation also led to his appointment as President of the International Water Environment Federation, a term which he just completed.
I would like to extend my deepest thanks and congratulations to Mr. Turner, his wife Judee, his sons Rodney, Chris, and Jeff, and his two new grand-daughters. The City of Columbus and the State of Georgia are fortunate to have him.
Mr. Speaker, I am submitting for the Congressional Record two articles from The Columbus Ledger which were recently written about Mr. Turner and his outstanding work.
Doing More for Less
Much of our frustration with Atlanta's failure to get its water treatment act together comes from our own success. Fact is, the examples of innovativeness, effectiveness and efficiency set by the Columbus Water Works is a mixed blessing: On one hand, we can be proud of what has been recognized as one of the finest systems in the state and even the country; on the other, our familiarity with how it's done right makes us even less patient with seeing it done wrong.
The Water Works has received no fewer than seven national and regional awards this year, including the American Academy of Environmental Engineers' top honor for the CSO/Riverwalk project, the first of its kind in the country, and an EPA award for the best large water treatment plant in the 10-state Southeast region.
What makes the Water Works' success even more impressive is that a leaner operation is doing more. President Billy Turner notes that the budget is down by $1 million over the previous year, the staff is smaller and the rates still lower than those in comparable cities.
Turner and all the employees of the Columbus Water Works have a right to feel proud of what they've accomplished in the past couple of years. Here's hoping they keep up the good work.
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Columbus Water Works Reaps Benefit of Hard Work--National, Statewide;
Regional Awards Prove Columbus Is Closer to Reaching Goal
(By Amy Wolfford)
Four years ago, the Columbus Water Works board set out to have the best system in the country by the year 2000.
With seven national, statewide and regional awards this year, President Bill Turner said they are hitting that goal.
``These things are hard to come by,'' Turner told the board Monday. ``Most people go through their life and don't get this kind of recognition.''
Columbus' combined sewer treatment/Riverwalk project earned top national honors for design from the American Academy of Environmental Engineers.
The system, designed by Jodan, Jones & Goulding Inc. and completed in 1995, is the first of its kind in the United States and includes pipeline laid behind a retaining wall along the Chattahoochee River.
The board also learned it will get a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency award for having the best large water plant in a 10-state region in the Southeast.
Other awards include the following:
The Georgia Water and Pollution Control Association gave Columbus its first awards for wastewater collection and water distribution for large cities.
The South Columbus Water Resources facility was recognized with a Gold Award from the Association of Metropolitan Sewer Agencies for being in 100 percent compliance with all regulations.
The Government Finance Officers Association presented Columbus with its certificate of excellence.
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