1. Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Water Quality Control Division Drinking Water Program

2. Colorado Drinking Water Excellence Program Vision Statement Working together to make Colorado drinking water the best it can be every day. Photo credit: http://www.epa.gov/safewater

3. Colorado Drinking Water Excellence Program Mission Statement Continuously improve water treatment plant performance and public health protection through: Creating a definition of excellent performance for Colorado public water systems Providing advanced training in excellent performance Recognizing and awarding excellent performance

4. PROGRAM DESIGN PROCESS Program design has incorporated: Stakeholder desires for recognition and training Analysis of public water system acute failures in Colorado demonstrating need to focus on surface water systems Colorado public water systems of all population sizes

5. STRUCTURE FOR EXCELLENCE PROGRAM Initial focus is promote robust, optimized multiple treatment barriers at surface water treatment plants. Groundwater treatment plants to follow. Recognition for utilities and individuals. Exciting and challenging training with proven methods and innovative delivery.

7. “Excellence Awards” for performance in: Treatment Distribution Security and Emergency Preparedness Source Water Management Managerial and Financial Capacity

8. Three Courses for A or B level water treatment plant operators: Advanced Process Control and Optimization Comprehensive Performance Evaluations Leadership Individuals who complete all three successfully will be awarded a “Certificate of Professional Excellence”

9. Performance Based Training: Regional workshop series Proven results-based methodology Exciting and innovative training

10. “Inspiring Excellence Awards” to Promote excellence Engage the community Recognize staff across organizations

11. Excellence Program Strategic Partnerships The Colorado and national drinking water communities have many existing resources. We are forming partnerships to help to build and strengthen the Excellence Program. We are reaching out to form partnerships with: Colorado Operator Certification Board Rocky Mountain Section of AWWA AWWA Utility Quality Programs Colorado Rural Water Association Water and Wastewater Utility Councils

12. Contact: Dean Vlachos, Excellence Program Lead 303.692.3513 dean.vlachos@state.co.us