Both the Borough of Sharpsville and the Greenville Municipal Authority received certificates of recognition this month from the DEP for meeting all monitoring, reporting and treatment requirements under the Safe Drinking Water Program during 2001.

In Sharpsville, the recognition was refreshing after controversy last year when the borough considered selling its plant. Council voted not to sell the plant last March.

"With all the controversy and a lot of the citizens' concerns that we were having a problem, I hope that this rests any fears," said Councilman Thomas Lally. "We will continue to look into improving the plant, not because we're not producing good water but because it's a good business decision."

Greenville Municipal Authority officials also seemed thrilled to get the good news. The authority has faced its share of tough sailing this year with a potential sale of its plant and chronic complaints from residents about brown water.