We are so proud to learn that the creation of the North Oakland County Water Authority – NOCWA – has won the American Public Works Association, Michigan Chapter’s “Project of the Year.”
This award is in the “Governmental Cooperation Less Than $5 million” category and represents success and praise from our peers across the state of Michigan. The Authority was formed less than a year ago in order to join certain communities together to cut costs and increase efficiencies. NOCWA is made up of Pontiac, Auburn Hills, Rochester Hills and Orion Township.
The creation of NOCWA provided significant overall water system benefits including the following:
1. Community Collaboration – Sharing of optimum water management practices and better communication
2. Economic Benefit – A New Detroit Water and Sewerage Department contract results in approximately $3.3 million in annual savings to members; enabling sustainable water rates and enhancing community economic development and growth.
3. Enhance Level of Service – Better management of peak hour demands will result in a pressure increase along the Adams Branch during high water demand periods. This will directly benefit the City of Auburn Hills and Orion Township by reducing future capital costs.
4. Sustainable Construction – Maximizes the effectiveness of existing Pontiac water storage infrastructure.
5. System Reliability – Emergency connection mapping with system pressure aid in emergency operations among members.
Although the new DWSD rates from revenue requirements have not yet been finalized, the Pontiac water system itself will save an estimated $1.8 million this year alone. These funds will then be used to make much needed repairs and improvements to Pontiac’s infrastructure.
From the beginning of this effort our office has worked diligently toward the creation and success of this Authority. While many staff worked as a team to make this happen, special recognition goes to WRC’s Sue Coffey, Jody Caldwell, and Carrie Cox for their assistance with the creation of the Authority and our pump maintenance and system control unit staff, specifically Dave Brown and Matt Carr, for managing the system improvements. The majority of the Pontiac water system improvements were performed in-house by WRC staff. We are proud of our staff, our efforts, our success, and our communities.
Source: WRC