[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.
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