Thurston County Public Works earns fourth-consecutive American Public Works Association accreditation

The Thurston County Public Works Department has received full accreditation from the American Public Works Association (APWA) for the fourth consecutive time.

This accreditation means the agency fully complies with the recommended management practices outlined in the APWA’s Public Works Management Practices Manual, the office explained in a press release.

The APWA accreditation is extended to all governmental agencies responsible for public works functions.

The initial accreditation granted for four years mandates semi-annual updates to demonstrate ongoing adherence to the established standards.

Agencies then undergo a re-accreditation process that encourages continuous improvement and alignment with newly identified best practices.

The primary objective of accreditation is to foster excellence in operating and managing public works agencies, their programs, and their workforce.

It provides agencies with a structured framework for enhancing their operations, management practices, and program evaluation, ultimately benefiting the public and the profession.

“Earning our fourth APWA accreditation is a testament to our team’s unwavering commitment and professionalism. This accolade serves as both a validation of our past efforts and a commitment to future excellence in serving the Thurston County community,” said Thurston County Public Works Director Jennifer Walker.

Thurston County Public Works achieved APWA Accreditation in 2011 and has consistently upheld this status.

Other accredited agencies in Washington State are the cities of Bainbridge Island, Bellevue, Bothell, Shoreline, and Tacoma, the counties in Kitsap and Pierce, and the Clark Regional Wastewater District.