Hendersonville – The City of Hendersonville’s Water & Sewer Department received the prestigious Sustainability Hero Award during the City Council meeting on April 3, 2025. This recognition, presented by the Environmental Sustainability Board, highlighted the department’s commitment to sustainable practices and its significant achievements in water conservation and operational efficiency.
Recognizing Sustainable Practices
Virginia Tegel, Chair of the Environmental Sustainability Board, praised the Water & Sewer Department for its “long-standing record of prioritizing sustainability in all areas of operation.” The department’s accomplishments included restoring clean drinking water to all customers within two weeks after Hurricane Helene, implementing a recycling program at the Water Treatment Facility, and launching the Mountains on Tap initiative to promote tap water consumption over single-use plastics.
Utilities Director Adam Steurer expressed gratitude for the award, stating, “The Water and Sewer Department is honored to be recognized as the 2025 Sustainability Hero for its long-standing record of sustainable practices.” He emphasized that a core value of the utility is to be a steward of the environment while also lowering operational costs to maximize ratepayer funding. Steurer noted that the utility consistently seeks improvements to its operations and infrastructure, identifying future enhancements to build on recent successes.
The Mountains on Tap program, initiated in 2023, aimed to instill consumer confidence in drinking tap water and reduce reliance on bottled water. Steurer explained, “One gallon of Hendersonville tap water costs less than $0.01/gallon… a household of four that consumes 0.5 gallons/person/day would spend over $70 on bottled water monthly compared to $0.06 monthly for the same volume of Hendersonville tap water.” This initiative not only promotes sustainability but also offers significant cost savings for residents.
Challenges and Future Initiatives
Despite its successes, the Water & Sewer Department faces challenges in maintaining and expanding its sustainability initiatives. Steurer identified funding as a primary obstacle, stating, “Funding expensive projects that improve sustainability practices is the largest challenge that the Hendersonville utility faces.” He explained that balancing limited revenues from ratepayers with rising operational costs and aging infrastructure is crucial for the department’s sustainability efforts.
To address these challenges, the utility has successfully secured grants and funding mechanisms with assistance from elected representatives. For instance, the UV Disinfection Improvements project was funded through an American Rescue Plan Act appropriation, thanks to Congressman Chuck Edwards’ support. Similarly, the Biosolids Thermal Dryer Project received funding through a direct appropriation from the North Carolina General Assembly with Representative Jennifer Balkcom’s help.
Steurer elaborated on how the department measures success in its sustainability programs. The new UV Disinfection equipment is projected to save approximately 801,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, reducing environmental impacts and lowering energy costs by about $65,000 each year. This project contributed to the City receiving a Duke Energy 2025 Business Energy Excellence Award and a rebate of over $96,000.
The Biosolids Thermal Dryer Project aims to produce a nutrient-rich biosolid product beneficial for use as fertilizer or soil amendment. Upon completion, it is expected to divert over 5,000 tons of waste from landfills annually and reduce operational costs by over $500,000 each year. The project is anticipated to be completed by fall 2026.
The award ceremony also recognized specific staff members for their contributions to sustainability efforts. Bo Stepp, Damian Bingham, and Chase Dowdy were acknowledged for their work in stream restoration practices that protect sewer infrastructure. Laboratory Supervisor Stephen Bell was commended for initiating and maintaining a recycling program at the Water Treatment Facility.
Past recipients of the Sustainability Hero Award include Brandon Mundy in 2024 for his efficiency changes in the City’s brush collection program and Mike Huffman in 2023 for his work in water quality and stormwater management.
The Environmental Sustainability Board’s recognition of the Water & Sewer Department underscores the City of Hendersonville’s commitment to sustainable practices and community engagement. For more information about the Environmental Sustainability Hero Award, residents can visit https://www.hvlnc.gov/sustainabilityheroaward.