George S. Hawkins, General Manager of the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (DC Water), was recently honored with the 2011 Environmental Leadership Award by the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay. “For years George Hawkins has been at the forefront of efforts to protect local waterways and the Chesapeake Bay,” said the Alliance’s Executive Director Al Todd. “Under his leadership, construction of the DC Water Clean Rivers Project will nearly eliminate combined sewer overflows to the Anacostia River, Rock Creek and the Potomac.”

Hawkins’ work in preserving the Bay extends to current and past projects alike. In 2011 alone, DC Water broke ground on a $950 million Enhanced Nutrient Removal project to reduce nitrogen and a $400 million digester installation to create renewable fuel from wastewater.

Previously, Hawkins served as Director of the District Department of the Environment (DDOE), where he initiated DC’s innovative stormwater program that has become a model for cities across the country. He created and led the Anacostia 2032 Plan with a goal to transform one of the most impaired rivers in the nation, creating a waterfront experience capable of driving economic revitalization. At DDOE, he also launched and chaired the Mayor’s Green Team to coordinate and advance sustainability efforts across the District’s 40 agencies.

A life-long environmental advocate and passionate supporter of the Chesapeake Bay Program, Hawkins remarked on the award, “I am honored to be recognized for efforts in environmental stewardship. I feel that I share this recognition with the members of Team Blue and those at partner agencies who have shared my vision and commitment to protecting our waterways. I commend The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay in its mission of improving the health of the Bay through positive relationships and collaborative solutions. I am excited about the work we have underway.”

Operations at Blue Plains continue to achieve excellence in cleaning the District’s wastewater, helping improve water quality in the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay. Blue Plains not only meets, but exceeds, the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit, issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Blue Plains is held to one of the most rigorous permits in the country.

The award was presented at the Annapolis Maritime Museum in Annapolis, Maryland.