DENVER and ATLANTA, May 29, 2008 — CH2M HILL OMI’s tradition of operations and maintenance excellence has netted 19 awards from the Georgia Association of Water Professionals, including 14 gold and platinum awards for being 100 percent compliant with permit requirements in 2007.

GAWP’s Gold Award recognizes one full year of perfect compliance with Georgia permit regulations, and the Platinum Award honors plants that have operated without any permit violations for five years or more. Permits regulate the degree to which water or wastewater must be treated before it is safe to drink or to be discharged into the environment.

In addition, two facilities earned Plant of the Year awards, one facility won a water taste test, and two CH2M HILL OMI operators took individual honors and won Operator of the Year Awards. Richard Campbell won in the District 4 water plant category for his work in Americus, and Dale Cook won in the District 7 wastewater plant category for his work in Lowndes County.

“These awards are a direct reflection of the professional commitment of our employees to their communities, and we commend them for their performance excellence,” says Herb Washington, regional vice president for CH2M HILL OMI.

GAWP presented these awards at its spring conference in Columbus. CH2M HILL OMI clients and the awards earned at their facilities are:

Americus – the company’s partner since 1994

• Water: Plant of the Year Award, groundwater category, serving a population greater than 10,000.
• Water: Gold Award.
• Wastewater: Gold Award.

Augusta – the company’s partner since 1999

• Wastewater: Gold Award.

Barnesville – the company’s partner since 1995

• Water: 2008 Drinking Water Taste Test Winner, District 4.
• Water: Gold Award.

Fulton County – the company’s partner since 2000

• Wastewater – Little River: Platinum Award.
• Wastewater – Big Creek: Platinum Award.
• Wastewater – Johns Creek: Platinum Award.
• Wastewater – Little River Land Application System: Gold Award. 

Lowndes County – the company’s partner since 2001

• Water – Kinderlou Forest: Plant of the Year Award, groundwater category, serving a population of less than 1,000.
• Water – Kinderlou Forest: Gold Award.
• Water – South Lowndes County: Gold Award.
• Wastewater – Lowndes County Land Application System: Gold Award. 

Swainsboro – the company’s partner since 1992

• Water: Platinum Award.
• Wastewater: Platinum Award.

Washington – the company’s partner since 1993

• Water: Gold Award.

The Georgia Association of Water Professionals is a not-for-profit educational association of operators, owners, contractors, engineers, elected officials, industry representatives and others concerned with Georgia's water resources. GAWP is affiliated with several professional organizations, including the Water Environment Federation, the American Water Works Association, and the Georgia Ground Water Association. Its spring conference recognizes the best facilities and operators in the state each year, and it offers technical and educational sessions on water and wastewater operations.

Clients in government and industry rely on the people of CH2M HILL OMI to provide a range of custom-tailored operations and maintenance solutions. The company’s services include water and wastewater system optimization; contract O&M of water, wastewater and other utilities; and complete municipal operations, including administration, public works and community development – all backed by a commitment to safety, quality, innovation and customer service. Founded by CH2M HILL in 1980, the Denver-based company serves clients in more than 30 U.S. states, Canada and Puerto Rico. For more information, visit www.omi.ch2mhill.com.

Employee-owned CH2M HILL is a $5 billion global firm providing engineering, construction, operations and related technical services to public and private clients. CH2M HILL has more than 24,000 employees worldwide and is routinely ranked among the Fortune Most Admired Companies in its industry. For details, visit www.ch2mhill.com.

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