WASHINGTON, D.C. (northwestiowanow.com) — Spencer Municipal Utilities (SMU) has earned the American Public Power Association’s Safety Award of Excellence for 2024. The utility received a diamond award in the category for utilities with 30,000 to 59,999 annual worker-hours.

The award recognizes SMU’s strong safety practices and incident-free record in 2024, despite the challenges posed by a local flood. More than 200 utilities participated in the APPA’s annual Safety Awards, which evaluate safety programs and records based on OSHA-defined incident rates.

SMU has provided water since 1886 and electric services since 1901 in the Spencer community.