“We try to achieve the best water quality possible for all the residents of Chicopee,” said department superintendent Alan Starzyk. “It’s really nice to be recognized.”
CHICOPEE – The Chicopee Water Department has earned praise from the state for its adherence to drinking water regulations.
In a letter to the department, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s Drinking Water Program praised the fact that Chicopee’s water has been in compliance with “ever-evolving” federal and state regulations “for many years.”
The Chicopee Water Department earned one of the top scores in the Consecutive Community System category of the MassDEP’s 2011 Public Water Systems Annual Awards Program, the letter said.
“We try to achieve the best water quality possible for all the residents of Chicopee,” said department superintendent Alan Starzyk. “It’s really nice to be recognized.”
“We’re always striving to achieve all the regulations and, of course, that’s what we gear our business toward,” Starzyk said. “Our goal is to provide the highest quality drinking water.”
“That’s usually a pretty daunting task,” he said.
Although the letter from MassDEP is addressed to Starzyk, he said he credits the work of all the department’s employees for the award.
Green Meadow School in Hampden won an award in the Non-Community System category. Hampden Housing Authority and the West Stockbridge Water Department won in the Small Community category.
Holyoke Water Works, the Orange Water Department and the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority won in the Large Community category.
MassDEP will formally announce this year’s winners during National Water Week, the first week in May. An awards ceremony will be held May 5 at the Devens Common Center in Devens, Mass.