Press Releases
Named Recipient of the Area-Wide Optimization Program Bronze Award
Bel Air, MD – December 9, 2025 – Maryland American Water is proud to announce that the company received the Area-Wide Optimization Program (AWOP) Bronze Award for improving plant performance at the Winters Run Water Treatment Plant. The award was announced earlier this year during Tri-Con, the annual Conference for the Chesapeake Water Environment Association, the Chesapeake Section of American Water Works Association, and the Water and Waste Operators Association of Maryland, Delaware and Washington D.C.
AWOP is a voluntary performance improvement initiative developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help drinking water systems go beyond minimum regulatory requirements. In Maryland, the Maryland Department of the Environment leads the state’s AWOP efforts, using EPA’s tools and guidance to assess and support treatment plant optimization. The Association of State Drinking Water Administrators (ASDWA) provides national coordination and training to help states like Maryland implement AWOP consistently. Together, these partners recognize water systems and utilities that demonstrate exceptional filter performance.
“At Maryland American Water, we are proud to receive the AWOP Bronze Award,” said Jeffrey Barton, Operations Manager, Maryland American Water. “We are always looking for ways to enhance operations at our facilities, including Winters Run, and it’s gratifying to have that work recognized. Our partnership with the Maryland Department of the Environment and the support provided through ASDWA helps us continue improving our systems and delivering high-quality service to the Marylanders we serve.”
Located in Bel Air, the Winters Run Treatment Plant collects and treats the source water that is relied on by approximately 24,000 people in Bel Air, other communities in Harford County and the new customers in Severn we welcomed in 2024. Maryland American Water was previously recognized by the state of Maryland for improving operations at the facility.
"The Association of State Drinking Water Administrators (ASDWA) congratulates Maryland American Water on this achievement. It has been ASDWA's pleasure to support AWOP in partnership with EPA, and we recognize the hard work the participating states and their utilities put into keeping water safe for all Americans,” said ASDWA Government Affairs Manager Kevin Letterly. “We are immensely proud of Maryland's participation in AWOP and Maryland American Water's dedication to their customers by going above and beyond regulatory requirements to protect public health.”
For more information on Maryland American Water’s continued plans to invest in water infrastructure across the state, visit https://amwater.com/mdaw/.
About Maryland American Water
Maryland American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, provides safe, clean, reliable and affordable water services to approximately 24,000 people.
Media Contacts
Marybeth Leongini
Senior External Affairs Manager
Maryland American Water
marybeth.leongini@amwater.com