[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 65 (Wednesday, May 20, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H3591]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    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.

                [From the Columbus Ledger, May 13, 1998]

                          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.
                                  ____


                [From the Columbus Ledger, May 12, 1998]

 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.

                          ____________________