ANAHEIM, CA - (October 26, 2010) - Anaheim Public Utilities was recognized today with an outstanding honor, the AMWA 2010 Gold Award for Exceptional Utility Performance, awarded by the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies.

The AMWA Gold Award is a mark of serious distinction for large public drinking water systems.  Candidates are judged on the 10 Attributes of Effectively Managed Utilities, which include product quality, customer satisfaction, employee and leadership development, community sustainability, and infrastructure stability.

Anaheim Public Utilities was deemed to demonstrate a “strong record of effective utility management,” by virtue of its current structure, future goals, and past progress. Anaheim maintains a Class 1 rating from the Insurance Services Office, an achievement earned by only a few cities in the United States. S&P and Fitch, two leading global rating agencies, recently upgraded Anaheim Public Utilities to "AAA" and "AA+" credit ratings respectively.  In the past 20 years, Anaheim's population grew by 31%, but water use decreased by 3%. Anaheim continues to invest in public education, conservation programs, and developing local supplies to avoid mandatory water restrictions.

Anaheim Public Utilities' water system is a modem water distribution system that continues to be one of California's highest-rated utility operations. It has evolved from supporting a farm community in 1879 to sustaining a major resort destination and a successful industrial hub today. The investments in leadership, planning, and infrastructure over the years have allowed the City to thrive and earn such honorable distinctions as this AMWA recognition.

The award was presented at AMWA's Annual Meeting earliertoday at the Green Valley Ranch Resort in Henderson, Nev.  

Media Contact: Ruth Ruiz 714.765.5060more city news

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ABOUT ANAHEIM – The City of Anaheim, founded in 1857, is one of the nation's premier municipalities and is one of California's most populous cities. Anaheim covers 50 square miles with more than 343,000 residents and more than 2,950 City employees. The municipal corporation's annual budget is $1.5 billion. Anaheim supports a thriving business community with companies such as Carl Karcher Enterprises, Inc., L-3 Communications, Pacific Sunwear, and Disneyland Resort. Successful sports franchises call Anaheim home, including Angels Baseball, Anaheim Ducks, the U.S. Men's National Volleyball Team, the 2012 Olympic Games Silver Medal winning U.S. Women's National Volleyball Team, and the Professional Arena Soccer League Anaheim Bolts. Anaheim also boasts world-class meeting and entertainment venues with the Anaheim Convention Center, LEED-certified and the largest on the west coast, Honda Center, City National Grove of Anaheim, Anaheim GardenWalk, and Angel Stadium of Anaheim. In addition, Anaheim embraces its vibrant cultural arts community, including the world-renowned Anaheim Ballet. Annually, Anaheim welcomes millions of visitors to the city, truly making it where the world comes to live, work and play. For more information, please visit www.anaheim.net.

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