Optimizing rapid rate filter performance for turbidity (particle) removal provides better public health protection for consumers.
Each month, rapid rate treatment plants across the state submit operations reports to document regulatory compliance. We enter maximum daily turbidity values from the 55 active treatment plants into Optimization Assessment Software and rank systems according to their relative performance.
Washington State Rapid Rate Treatment Plant Performance Trends (PDF) shows turbidity reduction performance improvement by all rapid rate treatment plants in Washington as a group from 2001 through 2024. Improved performance means improved public health protection. Read more about optimization criteria (PDF).
By optimizing water quality produced by their existing facilities, these utilities are able to cost-effectively provide a larger margin of safety and build greater resiliency to handle natural disasters and other unforeseen events.
Congratulations 2024 TOP Performers!
Turbidity monitoring data for 2024 show that Washington's conventional and direct filtration surface water treatment plants continue to perform above national regulatory standards—and provide better public health protection.
Four systems are continuing their run of excellence and have now reached 24 consecutive years of optimization!
We also award bronze, silver, gold, and platinum certificates to systems the first time they meet the turbidity goals for 3, 5, 10, and 15 consecutive years, respectively. This year, one system earned a platinum award, two systems earned a silver award, and two systems earned a bronze award.
See a complete list of systems that met optimization goals in 2024.
Congratulations to the treatment plant operators, utility managers, and decision makers for making this happen!
Twenty-Year Award
- Arlington Water Department (2001-2024)
- Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District—South Shore Water System (2001-2024)
- Pasco Water Department (2001-2024)
- Skagit County PUD #1—Judy Reservoir System (2001-2024)
Platinum Award Recipients (15 or more years)
- City of Kelso (2006-2024)
- River Bend Water System (2009-2024)
- City of Yakima (2010-2024)*
Gold Award Recipients (10 to 14 years of continuously optimized performance)
- City of Bellingham (2011-2024)
- Castle Rock Municipal Water (2012-2024)
- Town of Metaline Falls (2012-2024)
- Department of Energy/200 W (2015-2024)
- Hoquiam Water Department (2015-2024)
- Lake Chelan Reclamation District (2015-2024)
Silver Award Recipients (Five to nine years of continuously optimized performance)
- City of Anacortes (2016-2024)
- Friday Harbor (2017-2024)
- Raymond Water Department (2017-2024)
- City of Port Angeles (2019-2024)
- Roche Harbor Water System (2020-2024)*
- City of Leavenworth (2020-2024)*
- Water District 19 (2020-2024)*
Bronze Award Recipients (Three or four years of continuously optimized performance)
- City of Everett Public Works Department (2021-2023)
- City of Ilwaco Water Department (2021-2023)
- Island View LUD 9 (2022-2024)*
- Carbonado Water Department (2022-2024)*
- Cit of Everett Public Works (2022-2024)*
*First-time award recipient for 2024.
Get the information and assistance you need to improve treatment plant performance by contacting us.
Go to our Contacts and Office Location page where you'll find program email addresses, and an interactive map with county assignments. Our Staff Directory page lists staff by program.
Jolyn Leslie 206-945-6927
Russell Mau 509-329-2116
Laura McLaughlin 564-669-0753
Scott Pollock 564-669-0854