Before
a national audience in Florida, Robert J. Moresi of
the American Water Resources Association (AWRA), applauded
Las Virgenes Municipal Water District’s "leadership
in water resources management by achieving an unmatched
level of eminence in preserving and protecting water
quality in the Malibu Creek Watershed." The Csallany
Award for Exemplary Contributions to Water Resources
Management, the highest recognition granted by AWRA,
was awarded to LVMWD, selected from a national pool
of applications.
LVMWD provides water services with great care to minimize
impacts on the spectacular natural environment of its
service area. Efforts spread over two decades were cited
for the award, including the District’s adoption of high
levels of treatment for wastewater that makes possible
the extensive use of recycled water for irrigating commercial
properties and public lands. This strong commitment to
recycled water has reduced by 20 percent the demand for
potable supplies that were formerly used for irrigation.
The Rancho Las Virgenes Composting Facility, among the
first of its type in the nation, converts solids from
wastewater into beneficial garden compost, while at the
same time diverting tons of material that formerly went
to landfills. The District devotes significant resources
to continually upgrade facilities and operations, to
reduce the impact of 85,000 local residents on the watershed.
LVMWD has contributed to research studies and programs
to help the watershed, most recently endangered species
preservation, Malibu Lagoon restoration and ongoing Malibu
Creek water quality monitoring.
Beyond its facilities, the District cooperates with local
schools to provide educational programs that encourage
young people to value water and develop lifelong conservation
habits. Adults are offered free workshops on conservation
and waterwise gardening. Water conservation programs
are promoted at community events and a speaker’s bureau
carries messages of conservation and environmental awareness
to service clubs, chambers of commerce and homeowner
groups.
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