Excessive amounts of nutrients in the water - primarily nitrogen - feed algae blooms that steal the oxygen out of the Chesapeake Bay and create massive dead zones. The Alexandria Sanitation Authority is making a difference by cleaning dirty water and returning it to the Bay's tributaries. ASA's process removes what's killing the Bay and turns it into life-giving material used by farmers throughout Virginia.

•  ASA cleans over 12 billion gallons of used water each year, returning the reclaimed water into Hunting Creek and ultimately, the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay.

•  Annually, ASA prevents almost 4.3 million pounds of nitrogen and 746,000 pounds of phosphorus from entering the Bay, leading all other wastewater agencies in Virginia in protecting and enhancing the Bay.

•  ASA uses byproducts from its operations, such as methane gas, to produce steam for heating and cooling its facility. This approach not only saves more than $800,000 a year - the equivalent natural gas consumption of 780 homes annually - but it also shrinks ASA's environmental footprint.

•  ASA produces 24,000 wet tons of certified Class A exceptional biosolids last year as part of its wastewater processing that Virginia farmers use on their fields. It's an inexpensive and environmentally-friendly way to grow healthy crops.

•  In 2008, ASA implemented an Environmental Management System, which helps organizations of all types and sizes to systematically manage their environmental, health and safety issues. The benefits range from improved environmental performance and compliance with regulations to increased efficiency and sustainable practices.

•  In 2009, the National Biosolids Partnership awarded ASA with its prestigious “Platinum Level” seal of approval. ASA was recognized for representing “the highest achievement in biosolids management and environmental stewardship.”

•  Also in 2009, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality announced that ASA was accepted as an Exemplary Environmental Enterprise participant in the Virginia Environmental Excellence Program.

•  ASA is the first water reclamation plant in the Commonwealth and only 8th in the nation to receive such an honor.

•  ASA has been recognized by the National Association of Clean Water Agencies for its collaboration with the D.C. Water and Sewer Authority on their “Enhanced Nitrogen Removal and Increasing Sustainability with Innovative Sidestream Treatment” project.