Ocean Springs News
OS Water System Receives Perfect Rating from State Health Dept.
Ocean Springs, MS – The City of Ocean Springs Water System has received a perfect rating from the MS Dept. of Health.
“This is not accomplished by accident, but by dedicated employees both within my department and City Hall’s Water Billing Department,” said Andre’ Kaufman, Director of Public Works, City of Ocean Springs.
This is the sixth consecutive year the city has received the perfect rating based on a technical, managerial and financial review. The City received a perfect score in each category with the system attaining an overall capacity rating of 5.0/5.0.
The Technical Capacity Assessment is based on several technical reviews including water treatment process functioning, acceptable ranges of pH, iron, and free chlorine, and tracking of water loss and acceptable water loss records available for review by the regional engineer. The City received all possible points in this category.
The Managerial Capacity Assessment contains several review categories including a review of the long range water system improvements plan, acceptable written policies and procedures for operating the water system, and the review of an effective cross connection control program in compliance with Mississippi Department of Health regulations. The City received all possible points in this category.
The Financial Capacity Assessment is based on several review items, including the review of the city’s officially adopted policy requiring that water rates be routinely reviewed and adjusted as appropriate, and that an officially adopted cut-off policy for customers who do not pay their water bills be made available for review by the regional engineer and that system records clearly shows that the water system effectively implements this cut-off policy. The City received all possible points in this category.
“The perfect rating of our water system is a clear indicator of the quality of employees in the Public Works Department and the Water Billing Department,” said Mayor Connie Moran. “We are very proud to offer this quality of service to our citizens.”
