American Water Works Company, Inc. announced its NPXpress wastewater technology earned the Technology Project of the Year Award. One of four awards presented by industry publication American Water Intelligence in its 2012 American Water Awards, Technology Project of the Year recognizes the implementation of a new technology in a completed water or wastewater project that most deserves broader recognition.

At AWI’s American Water Summit in Chicago earlier this month, Dr. Mark LeChevallier, director of innovation and environmental stewardship for American Water, along with other finalists, gave a six-minute presentation about American Water’s technology. Summit attendees voted for their choice and American Water was announced as one of two tied winners for the prize at the awards ceremony.

The NPXpress technology helps wastewater utilities, which are facing increasing operating costs and more stringent environmental regulations, reduce costs while improving the removal of nitrogen and phosphorus. Because the technology operates at lower oxygen levels, electricity consumption for aeration is reduced by 50 percent. In addition, the process can eliminate the need for costly chemical addition (methanol) by 80 to 100 percent. The new process provides a more affordable and sustainable way of treating sewage.

“It’s an honor to be selected by our peers in a category that included such an elite group of innovators,” say LeChevallier. “The NPXpress technology has demonstrated promising capabilities to achieve wastewater treatment and nutrient removal in a sustainable way and has provided opportunities for wastewater utilities to design, build, and operate an energy neutral wastewater treatment plant.”

Sponsored by American Water Intelligence, in partnership with its parent publication, Global Water Intelligence, the 2012 American Water Awards recognize and reward best practices throughout the U.S. water sector. Awards include Utility Performer of the Year, Partnership Performance of the Year, Technology Project of the Year, and Environmental Project of the Year.

Founded in 1886, American Water is the largest publicly traded U.S. water and wastewater utility company. More information can be found at www.amwater.com.