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The Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County (LAC) recently recognized 391 companies for being “good corporate citizens” for the year 2018. This recognition, now in its 23rd year, recognizes companies in LAC and its unincorporated areas within the county for having met their limits for wastewater discharge for at least a year, maintained their environmental equipment and fulfilled all permit requirements.
The idea for recognizing businesses for good wastewater practices originated with the Sanitation Districts’ Industry Advisory Council, an advisory group that is now comprised of 13 representatives from different industrial sectors. The advisory council and the Sanitation Districts felt it was important that industries with good compliance records be recognized.
“The Sanitation Districts continue to partner with our industrial dischargers to ensure their wastewater meets or exceeds environmental regulatory requirements, helping to further protect public health and the environment,” said Chief Engineer and General Manager of the Sanitation Districts Robert C. Ferrante. “It’s important to recognize their efforts in being good stewards of our environment. Effectively pretreating their wastewater helps the Sanitation Districts efficiently operate our wastewater collection and treatment systems, which reduce operating costs that benefits all our ratepayers.”
“Industries in Southern California are committed to reducing their impact on the environment. These awards recognize the significant efforts by the industries in making environmental stewardship a priority,” said Sam Bell, owner of Metal Surfaces, Inc., of Bell Gardens and chair of the Sanitation Districts’ Industry Advisory Council. “The annual award provides recognition to industries in Los Angeles County, who, through consistent compliance with environmental regulations, have helped conserve our limited water and energy resources.”
Of the 391 LAC and adjacent area businesses that received recognition for 2018, 82 of them have received the recognition for five or more consecutive years. Ferrante announced the certificate awardees at meetings of the Sanitation Districts’ Boards of Directors.
“These Certificates of Recognition awards are more than just an acknowledgement of regulatory compliance. The program develops a relationship with our industrial dischargers wherein the Sanitation Districts can share our mission of ‘Converting Waste into Resources’ and improving our environment for everyone,” added Linda Shadler, head of the Sanitation Districts’ Industrial Waste Section.
The LAC Sanitation Districts are a regional public agency consisting of 24 independent special districts serving over 5.6 million people in 78 LAC cities and unincorporated areas. The Sanitation Districts convert waste into resources such as recycled water, energy and recycled materials following their work to protect public health and the environment through innovative and cost-effective wastewater and solid waste management.
