The City of Arlington Water Utilities Department has earned a 2005 Watermark Award for Communications Excellence. The award was presented April 7 by the Texas Section of the American Water Works Association and the Water Environment Association of Texas. The award recognizes AWWA and WEAT members who produce effective communications.

The Report a Leak public service announcement was a first place winner in the large utilities category. A joint production of the Water Utilities Department and the Office of Communication, the one-minute video defines the role of the public in helping to identify water pipeline breaks and leaks, and explains the procedures involved in repairing them. The video was edited and produced by Broadcast Coordinator Michael Nimocks.

"The public plays an important role in helping us identify water main breaks and leaks," said Acting Water Utilities Director Julie Hunt, who accepted the award during the Texas Water 2005 Joint Conference in Galveston. "We are very pleased to be recognized for our communication outreach efforts."

According to Mary Gugliuzza who chairs the Public Information Committee for the Texas Section of the AWWA, "today’s water resource professionals communicate with a variety of audiences in order to achieve success. Through these awards, the Texas Section of the AWWA and WEAT are heightening awareness about the importance of effective communication."