The Area Wide Optimization Program (AWOP) is a program designed to achieve optimized performance at public water systems. AWOP is a voluntary approach that allows water systems to increase public health protection through optimizing existing physical and organizational infrastructures, without incurring capital expenses. This approach focuses on the long-term sustainability of the water system and its ability to consistently provide safe, reliable and affordable drinking water to the public.
The department and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) support this program and provide tools, resources and hands-on assistance to public water systems wanting to adopt optimization performance goals. One of the most effective AWOP tools available to public water systems is the Comprehensive Performance Evaluation (CPE). A CPE is a thorough review and analysis of a facility’s design capabilities and associated administrative, operational and maintenance practices.
Goals for Surface Water Treatment Plants
Missouri’s AWOP adopted the following optimization goals, proposed by EPA for surface water treatment plants with a rapid-rate filtration system. Optimizing removing turbidity throughout the treatment process protects public health and improves filter run times.
Sedimentation Goals
- ≤ 1 NTU in at least 95% of measurements (when calendar year average raw turbidity is ≤ 10 NTU)
- ≤ 2 NTU in at least 95% of measurements (when calendar year average raw turbidity is > 10 NTU)
- Based on maximum daily value of readings taken at least once every 4 hours from each basin
Individual Filter Goals
- ≤ 0.10 NTU in at least 95% of measurements (over the course of the calendar year)
- Based on daily maximum readings recording at least once per minute
- Maximum individual filter turbidity must not exceed 0.30 NTU at any time
- For plants that have filter-to-waste — Turbidity must not exceed 0.30 NTU during filter-to-waste and must return to service with a turbidity of ≤ 0.10 NTU
- For plant without filter-to-waste — Turbidity must not exceed 0.30 NTU following backwash and must return to service ≤ 0.10 NTU within 15 minutes of returning to service
Combined Filter Goals
- ≤ 0.10 NTU in at least 95% of measurements (over course of the calendar year)
- Based on daily maximum readings recording at least once per minute
- Maximum combined filter turbidity must not exceed 0.30 NTU at any time
Awards Program
The department is currently developing a program to recognize public water systems that adopt and achieve our optimization goals. For more information about this program, please contact the Water Protection Program, Public Drinking Water Branch, Permits and Engineering Unit.
Additional Resources
- Area-Wide Optimization Program (AWOP) - Association of State Drinking Water Administrators
- Drinking Water Optimization Program - EPA
- Handbook - 1998 Edition: Optimizing Water Treatment Plant Performance Using the Composite Correction Program - EPA
