1. Macon Water Authority
Popular Annual
Financial Report
2012
This Report is dedicated to the memory of
Chairman Frank C. Amerson, Jr.,
a visionary, a leader, a friend of the MWA
2. TABLE OF CONTENTS
WELCOME FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 3
MEET THE BOARD MEMBERS AND STAFF 4
THE MWA ANNUAL REPORT 5
THE MWA SYSTEM 6
OUR PATH TO GOLD 7
CHAIRMAN FRANK C. AMERSON, JR., MEMORIAM 8
FINANCIAL ACTIVITY 10
THE VALUE OF WATER IN MACON! 13
DID YOU KNOW? 14
INFRASTRUCTURE & CAPACITY PLANNING 15
GOOD STEWARDS OF THE ENVIRONMENT 16
COMMUNITY & ENVIRONMENTAL INVOLVEMENT 18
MWA AWARDS & RECOGNITION 19
3. A Message From your Executive Director
On behalf of the Board and the Employees of the Macon Water Authority, I want to thank you
for your interest in our inaugural edition of the Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR). This
PAFR covers our fiscal year ending September 30, 2012. The PAFR has been laid out to
provide the reader with an overview of our 2012 fiscal year.
The goal of this inaugural report is to present, in an easy-to-read format, a summary of the
financial activities and events of your Water Authority. It provides a brief analysis of the
sources of the Authority’s revenues and an explanation of how those revenue dollars were
spent. The PAFR also shares with the reader, historical financial information that helps gage
the financial stability of the Authority. These pages include our balance sheet data and debt
coverage ratio’s. The PAFR also highlights examples of a few projects and awards that the
Board and Staff were proud to have brought to our customers.
This year the Authority also lost a dear friend and leader of more than 35 years with the
passing of our Chairman, Mr. Frank C. Amerson, Jr. We have dedicated this inaugural PAFR
to the memory of Mr. Amerson and have included a memoriam within these pages.
I hope you will find this report useful and informative. If you desire more detailed information,
you may access our Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) at the MWA website
located at maconwater.org
During the coming year, your Board and Authority staff will continue planning for the
Authority’s long-term financial health and stability as we do each and every year. Our
priorities will continue to focus on customer service, product quality, environmental
stewardship and economic development in the communities that we serve.
A special thank you is owed to the Authority’s Chief Financial Officer, Guy Boyle, the true
author of this, our first PAFR, for his time, effort and commitment in creating this valuable
document.
Please contact me or Chief Financial Officer, Guy Boyle, if you have questions or comments.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Tony Rojas
Executive Director
3
4. Authority Members
Left to Right: R. Kirby Godsey, Ph.D, Chairman; Frank Patterson, Vice-Chairman, Dist. 4;
Dorothy “Dot” Black, Dist. 1; Javors J. Lucas, Dist. 2; Steve Rickman, Dist. 3; Ed DeFore,
City of Macon; Bert Bivins III, Bibb County
Staff Members
Tony Rojas, Executive Director
Ray Shell, Assistant Executive Director
Guy Boyle, Chief Financial Officer
Kellie Giles, Human Resources Director
Blain Harrell, Macon Soils Manager
Jimmy McAnn, Information Technology Director
Gary McCoy, Amerson Water Treatment Plant Director
Kirk Nylund, Customer Care & Field Services Director
Larry Reynolds, Wastewater Operations Director
Michel Wanna, Field Operations Director
Mark Wyzalek, Laboratory/Environmental Compliance Director
4
5. The Annual Report
The Macon Water Authority (MWA) has prepared this 2012 Popular Annual Financial Report
(PAFR) as a means of sharing information about the MWA, in a less technical format, with our
customers and our community partners. The information contained in this PAFR is an unaudited
summary of our fiscal year 2012 ended September 30, 2012. The financial information contained
in this PAFR was taken directly from the audited fiscal year 2012 Comprehensive Annual
Financial Report (CAFR). The CAFR was prepared in conformance with generally accepted
accounting principles (GAAP) and includes financial statements audited by Mauldin & Jenkins,
LLC., a professional CPA Firm. The CAFR is available on our website at www.maconwater.org
Strategic Planning Asset Management
Economic Development
Environmental Stewardship
Dedication Infrastructure Rehab
Capacity Planning
Project Management
Innovation 5
6. The System
Water & Sewer Services
The Authority provides both water distribution and sewer services to residential, commercial and
wholesale customers. The Water Distribution System has approximately 1,664 miles of water mains and
water distribution lines serving approximately 50,000 metered customers. The Authority has one water
treatment plant, the Amerson Water Treatment Plant, located on the east bank of the Ocmulgee River in
Jones County, GA. Construction began on the Amerson Water Treatment Plant in late 1996 and this state
of the art water treatment facility came on-line in the year 2000.
The Amerson Water Treatment Plant intake pipes draw water from the Ocmulgee River which flows
through Bibb County. The Authority has a withdrawal permit that allows up to 110 million gallons a day to
be withdrawn from the Ocmulgee River. During peak customer demand periods which occur during the
summer months, the Amerson Plant often reaches and occasionally exceeds a 40 million gallon per day
demand level.
The Authority constructed in the 1990’s and currently maintains the Javors Lucas Lake reservoir that is
located on approximately 3,000 protected acres of watershed. Lucas Lake is on the same grounds as the
Amerson Water Treatment Plant. Lucas Lake is an off-stream pump storage reservoir. It has been
determined the reservoir can provide 72 million gallons a day during extended drought conditions. The
Amerson Water Treatment Plant is capable of producing up to 60 million gallons a day. With additional
modifications the facility can be expanded to 90 million gallons a day. Equipment and system
redundancies allow the Amerson Water Treatment Plant to continually operate without interruption. The
State of Georgia’s Middle Ocmulgee Regional Water Plan (adopted in 2011) made projections of drinking
water capacity needs through the year 2050 and found that the Authority has more than sufficient capacity
to meet expected customer growth estimates.
In addition the Javors Lucas Lake and grounds provide a habitat for an abundance of wildlife including
deer, turkey, fox and water fowl. Javors Lucas Lake also provides the surrounding communities with
access to some of the best fishing in the Middle Georgia area. In addition to the Amerson Water
Treatment Plant and Javors Lucas Lake, the Authority maintains 17 large volume water storage tanks and
7 major pump stations throughout its water distribution system.
The Authority operates a sewer system, which includes approximately 220 miles of interceptor sewer lines
and approximately 740 miles of sanitary sewer lines serving nearly 40,253 sewer customers. The sewer
system is supported by seven major lift stations and many smaller lift stations located throughout the
service network. Collected wastewater is treated at one of two wastewater facilities having a combined
capacity of 44 million gallons per day. Wastewater is processed at either the Rocky Creek Water
Reclamation Facility with a capacity of 24 million gallons per day or the Lower Poplar Water Reclamation
Facility with a capacity of 20 million gallons per day.
66
7. OUR PATH TO GOLD
The Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies AMWA officials, during the Association’s Annual meeting
(AMWA) has honored the MWA with its Gold Award this in Portland, honored only four other utilities in 2012 with
year for exceptional utility performance, making the the Gold Award for “Exceptional Utility Performance.”
presentation to Authority officials during the The MWA joins Denver (Colorado) Water, Grand Strand
Association’s awards ceremony at the 2012 Annual (South Carolina) Water & Sewerage Authority, and
Meeting in Portland, Oregon. Suffolk County (New York) Water Authority, as 2012
AMWA Gold Award recipients.
The Macon Water Authority is in select company. The
MWA’s Gold Award from the AMWA marks only the “AMWA’s 2012 award winners are industry-leading
fourth time a water utility from the state of Georgia has water systems with innovative managers and dedicated
won this prestigious national honor. “The receipt of this workforces who create sustainable utilities marked by
award is a credit to our Board and the employees of the high quality, affordable water, responsive customer
Authority, reflecting their dedication that is being service, and attention to resource management and
recognized nationally, while placing our utility in select environmental protection,” says Pat Mulroy, AMWA
company,” says Tony Rojas, Executive Director of the President. “The accomplishments of these exceptionally
MWA. “Our Board continues to provide us with the well-run public utilities should be a source of pride for
support and resources we need to improve our the communities they serve.”
operations, and our employees, through their efforts and
hard work, make it possible for us to provide our The AMWA evaluation of the Macon Water Authority’s
customers with the quality services they deserve.” attributes included praise for the utility’s overall focus on
being a truly progressive, proactive and community-
The AMWA, in collaboration with the U.S. centered partner with residents and businesses. Specific
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other examples of MWA performance reaching or exceeding
water industry professional associations, has identified the AMWA Gold standard included the utility’s
distinct, effective management practices necessary for community involvement, such as through land
water utilities to achieve long-term sustainability. As a donations, park creation, financial support for industry
result, this collaboration of industry professionals development, and environmental stewardship of local
spearheaded by the AMWA has developed 10 attributes rivers.
of Effectively Managed Utilities, as well as five Keys to
Management Success, which serve as the basis for In addition, the MWA was applauded for revamping its
Gold Award recognition. These attributes not only focus Customer Care and Field Services departments, for
on financial and operational goals of a utility, but they voluntarily developing a watershed protection plan, and
consider all significant aspects of water and wastewater for its proactive role in regional planning, both economic
utility management. and environmental. Furthermore, AMWA officials noted
the MWA’s proactive approach to asset management,
The AMWA Gold Award is given only to those select including a full mapping of assets through a GIS focus,
U.S. utilities that have shown a commitment and as well as the utility’s practices of valve exercising,
dedication to sustainability, their local community, and manhole rehabilitation, and meter replacement. Finally,
the environment, through effective utility management the AMWA leadership, through its Gold Award
according to the attributes and keys to utility designation, praised the MWA for its long-range water
management success as defined by the AMWA and its audit program, its strong financial stewardship and
collaborators. The industry organizations providing planning, as well as its annual financial support for the
panelists who scripted the utility management criteria Macon/Bibb County Industrial Authority.
for Gold Award status included the: American Public
Works Association, American Water Works Association,
National Association of Clean Water Agencies, National
Attributes
Product Quality
Association of Water Companies, and Water
Customer Satisfaction
Environment Federation, in addition to the AMWA and
Employee/Leadership Development
EPA.
Operational Optimization
Financial Viability
Infrastructure Stability
Operational Resiliency
Community Sustainability 7
Water Resource Adequacy
Stakeholder Understanding & Support
8. In Memoriam
Frank C. Amerson, Jr.,
Macon Water Authority Member
1976-2012
The Macon Water Authority (MWA) lost its political decision
longtime leader of more than 35 years with the while serving on
passing of Chairman Frank C. Amerson, Jr. at the Board; he made
the age of 83, on Friday, September 14, 2012. strong business
“We have lost not only our leader, but a close decisions instead.”
friend and mentor to all of us who had the
pleasure of working with him,” says Tony According to those
Rojas, MWA Executive Director. “He was a who worked with
giant in our industry, respected throughout the him and knew him
state of Georgia among water professionals, in best, Amerson’s
addition to having been one of the most greatest passions
influential and progressive public officials in were manifested in
Macon and Bibb County.” his leadership at
the Macon Water Authority and in economic
Rojas notes that when Amerson joined the development for his community. In addition to
Authority Board more than 35 years ago, the serving as the Authority’s Chairman for more
utility was not the envy, financially, of other than 35 years, Amerson also served on the
water systems and local governments as it is Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority from
today. During his 35 years on the MWA 2002 until the time of his death. He served as
Board, Amerson helped to build not only the the Chairman of the Macon-Bibb County
Authority’s water and sewer system, but to Industrial Authority from 2005 to 2008, while
improve its fiscal position, by making sound continuing to serve on the Board of the Macon
business decisions and recommendations Economic Development Commission. He also
based on what was best for the Authority and served on the State Board of Industry and
the community. He had one of the purest Trade, which is now referred to as the GA
agendas of any elected official in Macon or Department of Economic Development.
Bibb County, says Rojas.
MWA Board Member Frank Patterson notes
“Mr. Amerson always tried to steer the Authority that Amerson was entirely committed to his
to make business decisions, not political service as Chairman of the Water Authority,
decisions,” added MWA Vice-Chairman Javors putting his “heart and soul” into his leadership
Lucas, “He would say that he never made a post, but being careful not to micro-manage the
utility and its more than 200 employees.
“Whatever we needed to improve the Authority,
its facilities or operations, for the betterment of
our customers and employees, he provided,”
says Rojas. “Mr. Amerson and the Board have
always been supportive of employees and
helping us advance in the profession.”
Amerson’s business and construction
experience also proved invaluable in his role as
a leader in local economic development. 8
9. In Memoriam
Frank C. Amerson, Jr.,
Macon Water Authority Member
1976-2012
The MWA Chairman was instrumental in
facilitating a change in the Authority’s Charter
that would allow for its annual appropriation of
$704,000 into a revolving fund earmarked for
land acquisition and infrastructure to create
industrial sites to attract business and industry
to Macon and Bibb County. These efforts serve
as yet another example of Amerson’s vision
and progressive economic development
philosophy, adds Rojas.
The MWA Chairman also was a visionary who
foresaw the need for the Authority to have an
adequate and expandable independent water
supply and production capacity – manifested in
the construction of Javors Lucas Lake, a 5.9
billion gallon reservoir that was completed in
1994. Following the flood of ’94, which left
Macon without water service for 19 days due to
the flooding of the Riverside Water Treatment
Plant, Chairman Amerson spearheaded the
effort to secure federal and state funds for the
construction of a new state-of-the-art water
treatment plant. The new water plant was built
next to the reservoir and appropriately bears
Chairman Amerson’s name.
Frank Amerson was a lifetime member of the
Georgia Association of Water Professionals
(GAWP), a rare honor given to those who have
provided more than 30 years of service to the
association and water industry. In 2009,
Amerson received the Greater Macon Chamber
of Commerce’s Economic Development
Lifetime Achievement Award, at which time the
Authority also received an Economic
Development Champion Award. In January, he
also was selected as the Chamber’s Citizen of
the Year. As a tribute to his life-long service to
Macon and Bibb County, his name adorns
Amerson River Park, the site of the former
Riverside Water Plant that was donated by the
Authority to enhance the Ocmulgee Heritage
Trail. The entrance to the I-75 Business Park,
one of two industrial parks that he helped make
possible through his leadership at the MWA, 9
also bears his name.
10. FINANCIAL ACTIVITY
Total Revenues = $45,880,278
2012 Revenues
• Slight decrease in operating revenues vs. 2011
• Water sales decreased approx. 3.5%
• Sewer sales decreased approx. 1.4% Water Sales
• 2011 water & sewer revenues were slightly
higher due to drought conditions $340,130
• Other operating revenues, which include various
types of permits and fees decreased less than 1% $3,794,703
• Non-Operating revenue decreased by approx.
$117,000, the result of lower interest earnings Sewer Sales
on investments
Total Expenses = $43,151,644 $22,694,775
Other
• Operating expenses increased approx. $88,000 Operating
vs. 2011 Income
• Ambitious cost reduction budget in our two
waste water reclamation plants
• Ambitious cost reduction budget in the $19,050,670
maintenance department Non-Operating
• Modest increases in the expenses of the Income
distribution system and the Amerson Water
Treatment plant
2012 Expenses $3,944,883
Amerson Water Treatment Plant
$3,449,106
$4,294,680 Water Distribution
$304,990
$704,000 Sewer Treatment Plants
Maintenance
Sewer Services
$5,065,757
$15,942,788 General & Administrative
Depreciation on Assets
$1,636,648
Macon Bibb County Industrial
Authority
City of Macon
Interest & Fiscal Charges 10
$3,111,397
$9,155,491
11. HISTORICAL FINANCIAL ACTIVITY
2007-2012
Operating Revenues Operating Expenses
$50,000,000
$50,000,000
$40,000,000
$45,000,000
$30,000,000
$20,000,000 $40,000,000
$10,000,000
$35,000,000
$-
$30,000,000
$25,000,000
$20,000,000
$15,000,000
Other Operating Revenue $10,000,000
Sewer Revenue $5,000,000
Water Revenue
$-
2012 2011
2010 2009
2008 2007
Interest & Fiscal Charges
City of Macon
Macon Bibb County Industrial Authority
Depreciation on Assets
General & Administrative
Sewer Services
Maintenance
Sewer Treatment Plants
Water Distribution
11
Amerson Water Treatment Plant
12. FINANCIAL POSITION DEBT COVERAGE RATIO
The debt service coverage ratio is a
As of September 30, 2012
financial measure that gages the
ability of an entity to pay principal and
• $91.7 million in outstanding debt
interest payments on its debt.
• Industry target = 1.2 debt coverage
The majority of funds have been
ratio
used for renewal & replacement of
• MWA board expectation = 1.7 debt
water and sewer infrastructure.
coverage ratio
Debt consists of a mix of fixed &
• MWA nine year historical = 2.2 to 3.2
variable rate bond issues and one
debt coverage ratio
fixed rate note.
BOND RATINGS
The MWA maintains a “AA” bond rating; a measure of solid
financial stewardship by both the Board and Staff of the MWA.
Balance Sheet
2012 2011 2010 2009
Total Assets $333,505,535 $343,477,389 $330,690,014 $316,828,131
Total Liabilities $105,446,297 $114,245,054 $104,166,664 $87,775,049
Total Net $228,059,238 $229,232,335 $226,523,350 $229,053,082
Assets
Debt
2012 2011 2010 2009
Long Term $91,691,520 $99,777,155 $91,924,426 $79,004,149
Debt
Debt Coverage 2.40 3.21 2.84 3.04
Ratio 12
13. DID YOU KNOW?
What a Value Water is in Macon!
Value for 3,000 gallons of use
According to an independent, nationally ranked University Research Institute, the Macon Water
Authority’s monthly charge for water and sewer use of 3,000 gallons was listed in the lowest
20% out of 342 water & sewer utility rate structures analyzed in the State of Georgia.
Affordability of water rates measured by this same research institute for 3,000 gallons of water,
listed Macon Water Authority rates as being in the lowest quartile out of 342 water and sewer
utility rate structures analyzed in the State of Georgia. The affordability measure for Macon
Water Authority was based on an annual household income of $26,528 per US Census Bureau
data 2007-2011.
Comparisons
• Cell/Smart Phone: a monthly bill of $100 requires nearly 4.5% of annual household income
• Cable: a monthly bill of $62 requires nearly 3.0% of annual household income
• Internet service: a monthly bill of $52 requires nearly 2.4% of annual household income
• 7,500 gallons of Macon Water & Sewer services requires 2.1% of annual household income
Value for 7,500 gallons of use
SYSTEM WATER SEWER TOTAL
City of Atlanta - Outside $ 63.61 $ 139.88 $ 203.49
City of Atlanta - Inside $ 55.12 $ 139.88 $ 195.00
City of Fairburn - Outside $ 58.58 $ 71.18 $ 129.76
Jackson County $ 58.90 $ 64.80 $ 123.70
Coweta County $ 55.25 $ 50.88 $ 106.13
Athens-Clarke County $ 63.31 $ 39.25 $ 102.56
City of College Park $ 52.10 $ 49.06 $ 101.16
Newton County $ 46.04 $ 54.08 $ 100.12
Henry County $ 45.41 $ 45.41 $ 90.82
City of Fairburn - Inside $ 40.73 $ 47.99 $ 88.72
Douglasville-Douglas County $ 41.28 $ 47.19 $ 88.47
Rockdale County $ 38.54 $ 45.38 $ 83.92
Clayton County $ 38.56 $ 40.08 $ 78.64
City of Augusta $ 29.97 $ 43.72 $ 73.69
Fulton County $ 26.10 $ 46.50 $ 72.60
City of Calhoun - Outside $ 31.99 $ 40.16 $ 72.15
City of Savannah - Outside $ 20.03 $ 42.70 $ 62.73
City of Tifton - Outside $ 21.07 $ 36.66 $ 57.73
City of Calhoun - Inside $ 24.01 $ 31.01 $ 55.02
Columbus Water Works $ 17.75 $ 29.01 $ 46.76
MWA $ 25.40 $ 20.38 $ 45.78
City of Savannah - Inside $ 13.35 $ 28.46 $ 41.81 13
City of Tifton- Inside $ 14.40 $ 24.98 $ 39.38
14. DID YOU KNOW?
The Authority operates Macon Soils, an Authority subsidiary that handles the
recycling of biosolids. Biosolids are a byproduct of the wastewater treatment
process performed at the Authority's wastewater reclamation facilities. These
biosolids are land applied to area farms for agricultural benefit. Macon Soils also
contracts with another water utility in the State of Georgia to land apply their
biosolids.
Javors J. Lucas Lake
• The Macon Water Authority’s Reservoir is named
after your long serving Board Member Javors J.
Lucas who has represented district 2 on the
Authority for nearly 32 years!
• Javors J. Lucas Lake holds nearly 6 Billion Gallons
of Water!
• When Javors J. Lucas Lake is at “full pool” the lake
sits at 375 feet above sea level!
• No need to Worry…..Javors J. Lucas Lake holds
nearly 8 months worth of water supply!
14
15. Infrastructure Rehabilitation
& Capacity Planning
The Authority continues a proactive approach to rehabilitation and capacity planning for
our customers. These are but two examples of the many capital investments made for
the future during 2012!
Allen Rd II Pump Station
The Project consisted of furnishing all labor and materials
required to construct a new duplex (future-triplex) pump
station including a 13’x16’ precast wetwell, 2-150 HP
submersible pumps, valve vault, weir structure, meter vault,
emergency generator, electrical, building, and telemetry.
The project also includes approximately 4,200 L.F. of 24” I.D.
force main utilizing the horizontal directional drill process.
The project also includes modifications and necessary tie-ins
at the Rocky Creek WRF headwork’s structure.
Investment: $5,189,129
Sofkee water Tank
The Project consisted of the installation of a new 500,000 gallon water tank with associated
pumps, piping, grading, foundations, landscape work, storm drainage, erosion control and
connections to existing water lines and existing storm sewer lines. This tank will serve the
Sofkee Park with water demand and fire protection.
Investment: $ 1,410,220
Ever wonder what the
inside looked like?
15
16. GOOD STEWARDS OF THE ENVIRONMENT
WATER LOSS CONTROL PROGRAM
In late 2010, the Macon Water Authority (MWA) launched an Annual AWWA Water Audit and
Water Loss Control Program (Program). This is one of the most comprehensive water loss
detection programs of its kind in the State of Georgia. The Program was laid out over five
years, with the following objectives.
• Implement state-of-the-art practices for water loss accounting and control.
• Improve water loss and audit reliability from year to year.
• Connect departments to enhance the culture of efficiency.
The foundation of the Program is the AWWA Water Audit, a guide for resource focus within the
MWA system. Multiple initiatives were designed within the Program to achieve its objectives.
The Program’s effectiveness is measured from the benchmark audit year of 2011. Presented
below is a summary of highlights among key initiatives in the Program as of the end of 2012.
The Water Loss Control Team was formed at the beginning of 2011, and
has been meeting monthly to establish a rigorous water loss accounting
protocol and advance the initiatives in the Program.
OVERALL IMPROVEMENTS
• Reduction in Total Water Loss from 1,438 MG (2011) to 1,354 MG (2012)
• Improvement in Audit Reliability Score from 68 (2011) to 77 (2012)
900
Overall Water Loss - Trailing 12 Months
800
700
600
Million Gallons
500
WATER LOSSES:
WATER SUPPLIED:
400
AUTHORIZED CONSUMPTION:
300
200
100
-
ACCOUNTS FIELD INVENTORY
• MWA staff are approximately 25% complete with a
comprehensive field inventory of the nearly 66,000 active
and inactive accounts in the system.
• The investigation is providing valuable ground-truthing of
account data including confirmation of meter sizes, serial
numbers, account status and a GPS location. This
helps the authority ensure that all customer consumption
is being accounted for and billed appropriately. 16
17. GOOD STEWARDS OF THE ENVIRONMENT
WATER LOSS CONTROL PROGRAM
Finished Water Meter Flow Verification
• The reliability of the audit is highly dependent on having a rock-
solid measurement of production volumes, which come from the
finished water meters (FWMs) at the Amerson Water Treatment
Plant
• In 2012, MWA worked diligently, with several trials, to establish a
reliable and repeatable accuracy test to confirm the production
volumes. The test protocol that has been established can be
used moving forward to maintain a high confidence in the audit.
Large Meter Testing and Repair
• A pilot testing and repair project has been completed for the large
commercial meters in the MWA system
• The pilot project gives valuables insight into what ongoing testing and
repair activities are needed to manage meter-related revenue losses
for the Authority.
Radio-Read Meter Conversion for Non-Residential
Meters
• MWA updated over 1,100 commercial meters (2” and larger) to state
of-the-art radio-read technology
• This new technology allows the Authority to collect essential demand
data to support many other operations such as hydraulic modeling,
meter right-sizing, leakage management and customer service.
LEAKAGE MANAGEMENT
• In 2012, an analysis was performed to determine how
to leverage existing water system data to proactively
manage leakage.
• MWA is currently building an internal Active Leak
Detection Program, by studying what other
established programs look like, and designing a
program that will be effective for the MWA.
COMMERCIAL METER RIGHT-SIZING ANALYSIS
• In late 2012, an analysis began on a select group of commercial
meters to determine if the meter in place was appropriately size
for the application
• Inappropriately sized meters do not register flow accurately and
result in lost revenue for the Authority.
• Flow data from the Radio-Read Meter Conversion project is being 17
utilized for analysis.
18. COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Ocmulgee Alive! was created by MWA
in 2005. This is an annual effort in
partnership with local community groups
and companies along with Georgia EPD’s
Rivers Alive program. Volunteers are
organized to help clean the Ocmulgee
River so as to educate the public on the
importance of water quality since the river
is a source of MWA’s drinking water. The
Macon Water Authority (MWA) and its
partners hosted a record-breaking river
cleanup this year, as 355 volunteers
collected 710 bags of trash and 10,650
pounds of debris, after cleaning 2 miles of
river bank and nearby streams.
Kids Fishing Derby! Each year the
MWA sponsors a fishing derby at Lucas
Lake for kids. Consider the numbers of
the 2012 MWA Kids Fishing Derby and
“record-setting” comes into focus. A
registered 415 children and youth from
ages 3 through 16 were accompanied by
an adult, which meant estimated
attendance eclipsed 800. The crowd of
participants broke last year’s record of
300-plus kids and 600 total attendees.
18
19. AWARDS
The MWA received a number of awards from both State and Federal Agencies in 2012
recognizing the utility as an exemplary operation. Exceptional product quality and
Customer Service is only possible when you have strong Board Leadership and
Support and Exceptional Employees!
Left to Right: Gary McCoy & Sylvia
McCrary accept the Georgia Association of
Water Professionals Lab of the Year Award
from Pam Burnett & Jack Dozier on behalf
of the MWA
Left to Right: Gary McCoy, Blaine Harrell, Kate Kubesheski, Tony Rojas,
Michel Wanna & Kirk Nylund accept the Gold Award on behalf of the MWA
OTHER AWARDS from the American Metropolitan Water Agencies
• Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the 15th consecutive year from
the Government Financial Officers Association of the United States & Canada
• Large Water Treatment Plant of the Year Award from the Georgia Assoc. of Water Professionals
• Peak Performance Award for Waste Water Reclamation from the National Assoc. of Clean Water
Agencies
• Platinum Award for Discharge Performance from the Georgia Assoc. of Water Professionals
Left to Right: Chuck Mixon is presented the Operator's
Left to Right: Darryl Macey, Water Distribution & Sewer
Meritorious Service Award from the Georgia Chapter of
Conveyance Manager accepts the Georgia Association of
the American Water Works Association by Tony Rojas.
Water Professionals Gold Award for Best Sewer Collection
This award is the equivalent of being selected as the Top
System from Pam Burnett & Jack Dozier on behalf of the MWA
Water Plant Operator in the state of Georgia.
19
