Workers at the Lake Ozark/Osage Beach joint wastewater treatment plant were recognized last month for their efforts to maintain a model safety program.

The facility has been managed by Alliance Water Resources since early 2000. An award is presented every six months to the Alliance division whose safety program receives the highest ranking compared to the company\'s overall safety goals.

“We\'ve made a lot of improvements in the last year…we\'re proud of what we\'ve accomplished” said local system manager Gary Hutchcraft. The Traveling Safety Award was presented during a bi-annual meeting for Alliance managers last month. Hutchcraft and his team have earned bragging and display rights for the award until July, when they will compete to become the first division to win the award consecutively.

Winning safety program efforts include implementing a respiratory protection program specific to the potential hazards at the Lake Ozark/Osage Beach plant, monthly topical safety meetings and documentation of safety improvements. There were also no lost time accidents at the facility.

Headquartered in Columbia, Mo., Alliance Water Resources is a leading provider of professional operations and maintenance services for community water and wastewater systems in Middle America. The company prides itself in its unique understanding of the needs of communities in Missouri, Iowa, Illinois and Kansas.