People make the difference at BSU
 
Here’s a salute to two groups who deserve recognition for their work on behalf of Bonita Springs Utilities and our member-customers.

BSU produced more than 2.6 million gallons of drinking water during 2009. The employees who make that service consistent and reliable are not recognized often enough, but they recently earned statewide acknowledgment. The Florida Section of the American Water Works Association honored Bonita Springs Utilities with the 2009 first place award for Outstanding Distribution System. The award honors excellence in water quality, maintenance, record keeping, safety, emergency preparedness, professionalism and cross-connection control.

In addition, for the third time in five years, the BSU team won the PVC pipe fun-tap competition during an Orlando conference. The race to install a new water-service tap on a live main showcases operator ingenuity, know-how and skills.

Our employees maintain nearly 450 miles of pipe that serve more than 40,000 homes and businesses, as well as 3,012 fire hydrants throughout our 60-square-mile service area. They work hard to allow you to take constant tap water for granted.

Four Florida Gulf Coast University students interned with BSU during the past semester to consider solar energy as a possible power source for BSU. The intern team evaluated funding, zoning and permitting issues, as well as equipment specifications and environmental impacts. They recently reported their findings to both the BSU board and Bonita Springs City Council, outlining the pros and cons of building and operating a solar field. The students’ presentation was very professional and thorough, and provides extensive information for the BSU board to consider in the months to come. The advantages and long-term benefits of solar technology must be weighed against the costs of the project.

Good information is the first step in maintaining progressive policies and the students’ report is comprehensive and enlightening. We congratulate them on a job well done, thank them for their efforts and wish them well as they complete their studies at FGCU.

Celebrating BSU’s recognition for Outstanding Distribution System were top row, left to right) BSU Director of Operations Mel Fisher, AWWA Florida Section Chair-elect Richard Anderson, BSU Distribution & Collection Supervisor Mike Prescott and AWWA Florida Section Chair Charles H. Carden with BSU board members (back row) Robert Sharkey, Steve McIntosh, Jim Strecansky, Dave McKee, Hank Hockstetler, John Mathes and Bob Bachman.


 
Four Florida Gulf Coast University students interned at BSU to study the utility’s possible use of solar energy. The participating students were (left to right) Bonnie Getter, environmental studies; Paul Hill, environmental engineering; Ken Phelps, business/finance; and Mike Toth, environmental engineering.