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<p style="font-weight:bold; display: inline; line-height:150%; font-size: 115%;">P.O. BOX 6015 <br />COLUMBIA, MO 65205</p></div>
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<p style="font-size: 150%; font-weight: bold;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</p>
<p style="font-size: 120%; margin-top: -5px; font-weight:bold;">April 2, 2026</p>
<p style="float:right; font-weight:bold; margin-bottom: 25px; font-size: 100%; text-align:right;">CONTACT: Matt Nestor
<br />Public Information Specialist
<br />City of Columbia Utilities
<br />573.874.7307
<br />Matthew.Nestor@CoMo.gov</p>
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<div style="font-size: 110%; line-height:150%;"><h1 style="clear:both; margin-top: 75px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-weight: bold; font-size: 130%;">City of Columbia Utilities wins regional water quality awards</h1>
<div class="content"><span style="padding-left: 50px;">(COLUMBIA, MO)</span> - <p style="display:inline;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">City of Columbia Utilities won two awards at the Missouri Water Environment Association (MWEA) and the Missouri Section of the American Water Works Association (MO-AWWA) Joint Annual Meeting.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The City of Columbia took first place in the 2026 Drinking Water Taste Contest. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This is the second time City of Columbia Utilities has won the award, which was established in 2016. City of Columbia Utilities previously won in 2018.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With the award, City of Columbia Utilities is eligible to represent the MO-AWWA Section at the National AWWA Annual Contest and Exposition, which will take place in June. The AWWA Drinking Water Taste Contest is an initiative designed to help maintain high standards for drinking water. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">City of Columbia Utilities was also recognized with the MO-Section AWWA Sustainability Award for its McBaine Water Treatment Plant Improvement Project. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The award is given to a project that promotes sustainable environmental benefits for water-related projects. The utilities' water treatment plant rehabilitation will restore the plant’s capacity and extend the life of the facility.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The improvement project provides a variety of benefits to Columbia Utilities customers, including:</span></p>
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<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Continuing to meet customer expectations of reliable, safe and affordable water service.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Enhancing water treatment and distribution operational controls and efficiency.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Improving finished water quality using existing treatment processes.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Establishing long-range water quality goals informed by treatment costs and benefits.</span></li>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Missouri Section of the American Water Works Association acts as a forum for open discussion of industry practices and takes an active role in working with regulatory and legislative bodies to advocate public policy consistent with achieving the goals of clean, reliable drinking water.</span></p></div>
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<div style="margin-top: 15px; margin-bottom: 20px; text-align:center;"><p>City of Columbia Vision<br>
<em>Columbia is the best place for everyone to live, work, learn and play.</em></p>
<p>City of Columbia Mission<br>
<em>To serve the public equitably through democratic, transparent and efficient government.</em></p>
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<p style="text-align:center;">-30-</p>
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