The US Poultry & Egg Association is accepting applications for the 2025 Clean Water Awards. The awards honor the strong performance of wastewater treatment plants serving poultry and egg processing facilities. Winners will be announced at USPOULTRY’s Environmental Management Seminar to be held Sept. 18–19 at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa in Destin, Fla.

“USPOULTRY is pleased to sponsor this annual awards program, which highlights these exceptional facilities and their dedication to environmental excellence. Poultry and egg companies consistently show a strong commitment to environmental stewardship and the responsible use of our natural resources. Through the operation of sustainable and efficient wastewater treatment facilities, these companies exemplify leadership in environmental best practices,” said Jonathan Cade, Hy-Line International and USPOULTRY chair.  

The annual program recognizes facilities in two categories: full treatment and pretreatment. Full treatment facilities fully treat their wastewater prior to discharging the effluent into a receiving stream or land application system. Pretreatment facilities discharge pretreated effluent to publicly owned wastewater treatment facilities for further treatment. All USPOULTRY member companies can submit up to three nominations per category. Facilities that have previously won an award are ineligible for nomination again for five years. The application deadline is June 20.

An evaluation committee, consisting of professional engineers and academia, will review the applications and select semi-finalist facilities in both categories. Award recipients will be selected after the evaluation committee completes a site visit, where each semi-finalist will have an opportunity to showcase their facility. Award recipients will receive a trophy, be profiled on the USPOULTRY website and receive assistance from USPOULTRY in publicizing the award at a local, regional and national level.

The winners of the 2024 Clean Water Awards were Keystone Foods’ broiler processing facility in Albany, Ky., in the full treatment category and John Soules Foods for its Valley, Ala., facility in the pretreatment category. Honorable mention with distinction award in the full treatment category was presented to Pilgrim’s in Russellville, Ala.

Source: US Poultry & Egg Association