Board of County Commissioners recognizes Johnson County Wastewater for National and Statewide Awards

At a special event on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, members of the Board of County Commissioners and County Manager's Office recognized Johnson County Wastewater for winning multiple national and statewide awards for compliance and safety from The National Association of Clean Water Agencies and the Kansas Water Environment Association.

The event was held at the Blue River Wastewater Treatment Facility, and the speakers were Johnson County Board of County Commissioners Mike Kelly, JCW General Manager Susan Pekarek, Blue River Wastewater Treatment Facility Superintendent Jeremy McCracken, and County Manager Penny Postoak Ferguson.

NACWA Awards

JCW's treatment facilities were recognized for outstanding compliance records in the 2024 calendar year, winning three platinum awards, one gold and one silver. Those five JCW facilities had 2,403 possible compliance points and met 2,399 with an overall 99.8% compliance rate.

For 2024, JCW received Peak Performance Awards for the following plants:

• Blue River Main received a Platinum 19 Award (recognizing them for 19 years of full compliance)
• New Century Air Center received a Platinum 13 Award (recognizing them for 13 years of full compliance)
• Douglas L. Smith Middle Basin received a Platinum 11 Award (recognizing them for 11 years of full compliance)
• Mill Creek Regional received a Gold Peak Performance Award (achieved for one year of full compliance)
• Tomahawk Creek received a Silver Peak Performance Award (reported five or fewer violations to their NPDES permit in a one-year period)

Note: JCW's sixth treatment facility, Nelson Wastewater Treatment Facility, is currently under renovation.

KWEA Awards

For 2025, JCW won the Collection Systems Award, which recognizes "excellence in operations and maintenance, safety and training, improvements, innovative ideas, planning and design, and service," according to KWEA. Additionally, the Tomahawk Treatment Facility won the 2025 George W. Burke, Jr. Safety Award - Category C.

About Johnson County Wastewater

JCW provides sanitary sewer services to more than 500,000 people in Johnson County, Kansas. Their work protects the rivers, lakes and streams while renewing life's essential resource.

Learn more about Johnson County Wastewater.