Easton Suburban Water Authority and the City of Easton have been recognized by the Lehigh Valley Water Suppliers for their cooperative efforts to enhance the quality and affordability of drinking water for Easton area customers.

As part of this recognition, the LVWS presented the water authority with their first-ever "Outside-the-Box" award for creative thinking and perseverance in securing a 25-year lease to operate and upgrade Easton's water treatment plant. The lease, which went into effect in January, has resulted in lower rates for city customers, and assures that state-mandated improvements will be made to the plant.

Roy White, general manager of Easton Suburban Water Authority accepted the award at the LVWS' annual Water Issues Luncheon. He said the lease was a culmination of more than two years of work between the authority and the city. "The City of Easton was faced with costly repairs to its water treatment plant that would have necessitated even higher rates for its customers, and a negative impact on its budget. We worked together to find a mutually beneficial solution that truly involved thinking outside the box."