Each year, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection presents awards to domestic wastewater and drinking water facilities throughout the state that demonstrate excellence in operation, maintenance, innovative treatment, recycling, waste reduction and pollution prevention, or other special achievements.

Earlier this year, the Big Coppitt Regional Water Reclamation Facility (see "Bug-Driven Performance") was awarded the 2013 Domestic Wastewater Plant Operations Excellence Award out of 34 utilities in the medium-sized plant category. According to the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority, this is the most prestigious award available in the industry. Selection criteria is based on compliance history, record keeping and reporting, customer relations, outstanding operation and maintenance practices and facility operation including safety and staff training.

The Big Coppitt treatment facility uses an AquaSBR sequencing batch reactor from Aqua-Aerobic Systems, Inc. as its biological treatment system, which is integral to achieving the high-quality water produced by the Big Coppitt wastewater plant.

Tom Pfiester, wastewater division manager, was among those who accepted the award for Big Coppitt.

About Aqua-Aerobic Systems, Inc.
Aqua-Aerobic has been a leader in the design and manufacture of wastewater treatment equipment and systems for both industrial and municipal markets, worldwide since 1969. Its treatment solutions include aeration and mixing, biological processes, filtration systems, controls systems, membranes and aftermarket products. Aqua Aerobic Systems Inc. technologies meet or exceed the most stringent effluent requirements and are designed to accommodate changing effluent demands of tomorrow. For more information, visit www.aqua-aerobic.com.