VALPARAISO | Valparaiso became the first medium-sized city in the state to receive the Hoosier Water Guardian Award from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.

Bruno Pigott, the IDEM assistant commissioner of the water quality office, presented the award at Tuesday's meeting of the city's Utilities Board. He said the city has consistently been a leader in a number of programs, from being the first to complete a wellhead protection plan to helping launch the InWARN program for community utilities so they can assist each other in emergencies.

Pigott said IDEM makes the determination as to whom should receive the award based on 10 categories, and Valparaiso excelled in six of those. Most of those dealt with educating the community about things such as the wellhead protection program or promoting the annual National Drinking Water Week.

The city also distinguished itself in its green space program, waste management efforts and education of the public about the household hazardous waste program.

Pigott said the city has organized partnerships through an active local steering committee instrumental in getting a wellhead protection program ordinance passed.

In addition to a plaque, Pigott presented the city with a sign announcing the honor and donated a box full of games and other items the city can give away.

Utility Director John Hardwick said the program was successful because of Daryl Brown, the wellhead protection administrator, who is retiring at the end of the year. Brown said he will continue to work part-time for the utilities department.