Johnson County Wastewater has won five Peak Performance Awards from the National Association of Clean Water Agencies for distinguished performance in wastewater treatment. The treatment facilities were recognized at the NACWA Utility Leaders Conference ceremony in July.

The Board of County Commissioners will highlight the utility for these awards at its regular session on Aug. 20, 2026.

NACWA recognizes public wastewater facilities for outstanding compliance with national pollutant discharge elimination system permit limits. This recognition program consists of Peak Performance Awards in three categories: the platinum award, the gold award and the silver award.

Johnson County Wastewater’s treatment facilities were recognized for outstanding compliance records in the 2025 calendar year, winning three platinum awards, one gold and one silver. Wastewater had 3,412 possible compliance points and met 3,394 with an overall 99.47% compliance rate.

For 2025, Johnson County Wastewater received NACWA Wastewater Peak Performance Awards for the following plants:

• Blue River Main received a Platinum 20 Award (recognized for 20 years of full compliance)
• New Century Air Center received a Platinum 14 Award (recognized for 14 years of full compliance)
• Douglas L. Smith Middle Basin received a Platinum 12 Award (recognized for 12 years of full compliance)
• Mill Creek Regional received a Gold Peak Performance Award (achieved for one year of perfect 100% Compliance with their NPDES permit)
• Tomahawk received a Silver Peak Performance Award (reported five or fewer violations to its NPDES permit in a one-year period)

Due to the ongoing renovation of the Nelson Treatment Facility, it was not eligible for recognition in 2025.

Johnson County Wastewater provides sanitary sewer services to more than 500,000 people in Johnson County. Its work protects our rivers, lakes and streams while renewing life’s essential resource. Learn more at jcw.org.