S-EPA United States Environmental Protection Agency EPA 83P-K-99-001 October 1999 Office of Water (4204) 1999 National Wastewater Management Excellence Awards Ceremony ------- United States Environmental Protection Agency Office of Water October 1999 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 1999 National Wastewater Management Excellence Awards Ceremony Water Environment Federation Conference New Orleans, Louisiana Monday, October 11,1999 US EPA National Awards Program Managers Maria Campbell, Operations and Maintenance Awards John Walker, Beneficial Biosolids Use Awards Patricia Campbell, Pretreatment Awards Betty West, Storm Water Awards Tim Dwyer, Combined Sewer Overflow Awards ------- The Program Welcome C. Dale Jacobson Past-President Water Environment Federation Opening Remarks and Presentation of Awards J.Charles Fox Assistant Administrator for Water U.S. EPA Announcement of Award Recipients Michael Cook Director Office of Wastewater Management U.S.EPA National Award Recipients Operations and Maintenance Program Winners Beneficial Use of Municipal Biosolids Program Winners Pretreatment Program Winners Storm Water Program Winners Combined Sewer Overflow Program Winners Refreshments, compliments of WEF, will be served following the ceremony in room 225. ------- National Wastewater Management Excellence Awards Programs History In 1986, by authority of Section 501 (e) of the Clean Water Act, the Environ- mental Protection Agency (EPA) implemented an annual National Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Excellence Awards Program to recognize outstanding O&M at publicly owned wastewater treatment facilities. The O&M Awards Program was an immediate success and was widely acclaimed as a way for EPA to honor plant personnel and local officials for their commitment to clean water. In 1988 due to that success, the awards program was expanded to include the Beneficial Use of Biosolids Awards to recognize exemplary biosolids operating projects, technology development, and research, and later public acceptance efforts. In 1989, the Pretreatment Excellence Awards Program was added to recognize municipal implementation and enforcement of local pretreat- ment programs. In 1990 a new awards category for Most Improved Plant was added to the O&M awards program to recognize the efforts of the plant operator, the town, and the operator trainer who helped return the plant to compliance under a technical assistance program designed to help small communities. In 1991 the Combined Sewer Overflow and the Storm Water Excellence Awards Programs were added to recognize programs and projects that implemented outstanding combined sewer and storm water control programs and projects. Each year since the program's initiation, national awards have been presented at the Water Environment Federation (WEF) National Conference. There are over 16,000 publicly owned and 60,000 industrially owned wastewa- ter treatment plants in the United States. The EPA awards program recognizes select wastewater treatment plants or programs which have achieved excellent compliance results and have demonstrated an outstanding technological achievement, method, or device in their waste treatment and pollution abate- ment programs. Award winners' representatives are invited to attend this presentation ceremony. WEF has generously supported the awards program by co-hosting the awards ceremony and by providing excellent coverage in its publications. EPA is grateful to WEF for its continued help in making this awards program a success. ------- National Operations and Maintenance Excellence Awards The Prog ram This is the fourteenth year of the EPA's National Operations and Maintenance Excellence Awards program that recognizes plant personnel and local officials for innovative and outstanding O&M activities at publicly owned wastewater treatment facilities. Large capacity hot water system used to melt grease from the Inside of the primary sludge piping O&M 1" Place L-A Category York City WWTP York, Pennsylvania The Award Categories Winners are recognized in nine award categories: small, medium, and large secondary treatment plants; small, medium, and large advanced treatment plants; small and large non-discharging plants; and most improved plant. For the purpose of the awards program, small is defined as a design flow capacity of less than one million gallons per day (mgd), medium is 1 to lOmgd, and large is greater than 10 mgd, except in the non-discharging plant category where large is greater than 1 mgd. The "Most Improved Plant" category, a favorite of the O&M program, recognizes exceptional efforts by treatment plant personnel, local officials, and the onsite operator trainer to return a facility to compliance under a technical assistance program authorized by Section 104(g)( 1) of the Clean Water Act. This year there are two second place winners in the medium advanced category and two second place winners in the Most Improved Plant category. There is no second place winner in the large secondary category and no first or second place winner in the large non-discharging plant category. ------- The Regional Award Process State water pollution control agencies solicit nominations from wastewater treatment facilities in their State. After completing compliance screenings, the EPA Regional Offices use selection panels to choose the facilities to receive annual Regional awards. These Regional winners then become eligible for national awards. Many State and Regional awards presentation ceremonies are coordinated with the local associations of WEF. The National Award Process Awards nominations received from EPA Regional Offices undergo additional screenings and are evaluated by a national selection panel based on Head- quarters issued criteria. Award winners are invited to attend the presentation ceremony where they receive flags, plaques and certificates. Awards recog- nize the staff of these facilities and provide national recognition for their contributions to their community and to the nation's goal of clean water. a) Standby Power Generator b) Clarifier and Pump Control Panel O&M 2nd Place S-ND Category Breckenridge Sanitation District-South Blue River WWTP. Breckenridge, Colorado ------- The Criteria Treatment facilities are judged based on their achievements within the following areas: Best Management Practices Biosolids Handling and Disposal Collection System Controls Collection System Maintenance Management Compliance Equipment Maintenance Management Financial Management Innovative O&M Practices Laboratory Management Personnel Training Programs Plant Automation Pollution Prevention Process Control and Field Monitoring Public Education Safety Education Septage Management Toxic Waste Controls ------- National Operations and Maintenance Excellence Awards Winners and Categories Large Advanced Plant 1st Place: York City Wastewater Treatment Plant York, Pennsylvania 2nd Place: South Columbus Water Resource Facility Columbus, Georgia Medium Advanced Plant 1 st Place: Sweetwater Creek Water Pollution Control Plant Douglasville, Georgia 2nd Places: Westborough Wastewater Treatment Facility Westborough, Massachusetts Inland Empire Utilities Agency-Regional Plant #2 Chino, California Small Advanced Plant 1st Place: Elk Mound Wastewater Treatment Plant Village of Elk Mound, Wisconsin 2nd Place: Swedesboro Wastewater Treatment Plant Borough of Swedesboro, New Jersey Large Secondary Plant 1st Place: Appleton Wastewater Treatment Plant Appleton, Wisconsin Medium Secondary Plant 1 st Place: Escanaba Wastewater Treatment Plant Escanaba, Michigan 2nd Place: Brattleboro Wastewater Treatment Plant Brattleboro, Vermont 6 ------- Small Secondary Plant 1 st Place: Oak Park Conservancy District Jeffersonville, Indiana 2nd Place: V. A. Togus Wastewater Treatment Facility Togus, Maine Small Non-discharging Plant 1 st Place: Edgartown Wastewater Treatment Plant Town of Edgartown, Massachusetts 2nd Place: Breckenridge Sanitation District South Blue River Wastewater Treatment Plant Breckenridge, Colorado Most Improved Plant John H. Samson National Award 1 st Place: Town of Cedaredge Wastewater Treatment Plant Cedaredge, Colorado 104(g) Trainer: Jon B. Evans, Department of Utilities Carbondale Wastewater Treatment Plant Carbondale, Colorado 2nd Places: Lyndonville Wastewater Treatment Facility Lyndon, Vermont 104(g) Trainer: Paul Olander, Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation Canal Winchester Wastewater Treatment Plant Canal Winchester, Ohio 104(g) Trainer: Ohio EPA Compliance Assistance Unit Columbus, Ohio ------- National Beneficial Use of Municipal Wastewater Biosolids Excellence Awards The Program This is the twelfth year of the EPA's National Biosolids awards program that recognizes outstanding operational projects, research studies, technological advances, and public acceptance efforts for promoting beneficial uses of municipal wastewater biosolids. EPA presents national awards and may present regional awards. Creative and widely applicable biosolids techniques are vital to the nation's efforts to protect and improve our soil and water resources. These awards focus attention on the critical need to develop and implement manage- ment practices that use wastewater biosolids beneficially and that are environ- mentally safe, economical, and acceptable to the public. The nomination process is very productive, even if the nominee is not selected as a winner, due to the recognition and transfer of information on the beneficial uses of biosolids that occurs. Many municipalities, individuals, and groups have worked for years to make significant contributions to the study and practice of safe, beneficial use of municipal biosolids. This awards program recognizes their professional efforts. We congratulate this year's award winners, and encourage nomina- tions of worthy candidates for next year's regional and national beneficial biosolids use award programs. Transportation mechanism (or Biosolids from New York City to Colorado. Biosolids 1" Place Public Acceptance - Other Prowers County Land Application Program Limon, Colorado ------- The Award Categories and Criteria The beneficial use of municipal wastewater biosolids award candidates are evaluated using the following criteria: For Operating Projects Two Categories: 1) Less Than or Equal to 5 mgd; and 2) Greater Than 5 mgd Compliant with applicable Federal, State, and local regulations. Consistent, cost-effective operation. Excellence in project management. Public acceptability. Significant recycling/reuse of natural resources (e.g., nutrients, organic matter, and energy). Sustained (several years), full-scale, proven operation. For Technology Development Activities Operationally proven. Resolved previous biosolids management or utilization problems. Sustained excellence in advancing our knowledge of technology (e.g., improved design criteria or operational practice). Technology has potential for use in many areas of the country. For Research Activities Greater public acceptability of biosolids beneficial use. Greatly improves the understanding of the environmental effects of beneficial use of biosolids. Key information generated for development of improved biosolids regula- tions and guidance. Substantial contribution toward the development of improved design and operation. ------- For Public Acceptance Efforts Two Categories: 1) Municipal; and, 2) All Others Characterized by dedicated successful individual and team efforts. Demonstrated increase in public acceptance. Demonstrated willingness to share information and approaches for gaining public acceptance. Proactive approach for successfully working with such entities as the press and cultivating and gaining allies to explain the benefits and diffuse alarmist stories that might arise. Program with excellent information transfer and training efforts that have made a positive difference locally. The Award Process Candidates for the six categories of national awards may be nominated by anyone including EPA Regions, States, municipalities, consultants, research- ers, or other interested parties. Some EPA Regions are sponsoring their own awards programs. Applicants must complete a standard nomination form with identifying information, executive summary, facility/activity information, and additional supporting information. Nomination guidance for the year 2000 awards will be available from EPA Regional Offices in early 2000. Land application of blosollds (or growth of alfalfa. Biosolids 1" Place Public Acceptance-Other Prowers County Land Application Program Limon, Colorado 10 ------- National Beneficial Use of Municipal Wastewater Biosolids Excellence Awards Winners and Categories Operating Projects Less Than or Equal to 5 mgd 1st Place: 2nd Place: Honorable Mention: Lower Creek Water Reclamation Facility City of Lenoir, North Carolina Water Resources Department of Public Works City of Washington, North Carolina, and Synagro Southeast Pepper's Ferry Regional Wastewater Treatment Authority Radford, Virginia Operating Projects Greater Than 5 mgd 1st Place: 2nd Place: Honorable Mention: Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District, and United Water Services Milwaukee, LLC Milwaukee, Wisconsin Bureau of Environmental Services City of Portland, Oregon Village Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant City of Fort Worth, Texas Research Activities 1st Place: Littleton/Englewood Wastewater Treatment Facility, Englewood, Colorado, and Colorado State University Fort Collins, Colorado 11 ------- National Beneficial Use of Municipal Wastewater Biosolids Excellence Awards Winners and Categories Public Acceptance Efforts 1 st Place: Municipal Natures Blend Water Pollution Control Center City of Warren, Ohio 1 st Place: Other Prowers County Land Application Program, Parker Ag Services, LLC, Limon, Colorado, EPIC of Denville, New Jersey, and New York City Dept. of Environmental Protection SPECIAL AWARD For Development of an Outstanding Biosolids Education and Training Program Oregon Association of Clean Water Agencies and Oregon State University Extension Service 12 ------- National Pretreatment Program Excellence Awards The Program This is the eleventh year of EPA's National Pretreatment Excellence Awards Program. The awards recognize publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) with exemplary local pretreatment programs that reduce the risk of pass through of toxic pollutants and the operational interferences caused by toxic discharges. Through their pretreatment efforts with local industry, POTWs achieve additional benefits such as improved biosolids quality and reduced risks to treatment plant worker health and safety. The Pretreatment Excellence Awards Program is designed to recognize POTWs for outstanding efforts in the control of industrial discharges and to heighten overall public awareness of and support for these local wastewater treatment-related programs. An awards committee made up of pretreatment experts from EPA Headquarters, EPA Regions and States recommends POTW award recipients in five categories. Members of the committee evaluate all aspects of the implementation of the nominees' pretreatment programs, as well as the environmental benefits of the programs. The judges also seek to recognize innovations that are transferable to other cities' programs. m Steve Starrer, Environmental Services Manager Inspecting truck wash facility at local trucking company. Pretreatment 1" Place 0-10 SlUs City of Wilsonville, Oregon 13 ------- The Award Criteria POTWs are judged on their performance in the following areas: Enforcement Environmental Achievements Industrial User Monitoring Industrial User Permitting Innovations in Program Implementation Legal Authority Local Limits Public Outreach The Award Categories Awards are given in five categories based on the number of significant industrial users (SIUs): 0-10 SIUs; 11 - 20 SIUs; 21 - 50 SIUs; 51 to 100 SIUs; and Greater than 100 SIUs. This year there are first place awards in all categories. Second place awards are in the 0 -10 SIUs, 11 - 20 SIUs, and 21 - 50 SIUs categories. The Award Process The selection of POTWs for Pretreatment Program Excellence Awards begins when EPA Headquarters solicits nominations from the 10 EPA Regions. Nominated POTWs are asked to complete an awards application. An Awards Review Committee, comprised of pretreatment experts from across the country, evaluates applications to judge the local pretreatment programs and to choose National Pretreatment Program Excellence Award winners. 14 ------- 0-lOSIUs 1st Place: 2nd Place: ll-20SIUs 1st Place: National Pretreatment Program Excellence Awards Winners and Categories City of Wilsonville, Oregon Merrimack Wastewater Treatment Facility Merrimack, New Hampshire South Valley Water Reclamation Facility West Jordan, Utah 2nd Place: City of San Marcos, Texas 21 - 50 SIUs 1st Place: Littleton/Englewood Wastewater Treatment Facility Englewood, Colorado 2nd Place: City of Elkhart, Indiana 51 -100 SIUs 1 st Place: City of Albuquerque, New Mexico Greater than 100 SIUs 1 st Place: Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District St. Louis, Missouri 15 ------- National Storm Water Program Excellence Awards The Program In 1991 EPA established the National Storm Water Excellence Awards program. Two award categories recognize municipalities and industries that are demonstrating their commitment to protect and improve the quality of the nation's waters by implementing outstanding, innovative and cost-effective Storm Water control programs and projects. This awards program heightens overall public awareness of storm water measures and encourages public support of programs aimed at protecting the public's health and safety and the nation's water quality. An Awards Review Committee comprised of storm water experts from EPA Headquarters and Regions selects the award recipients. Members of the committee evaluate all aspects of individual projects or programs. The Award Categories Awards are given in two categories: Municipal Storm Water control program and project; and the Industrial Storm Water control program and project. This year there is a first place winner in the municipal and industrial categories, a second place winner in the municipal category and two second place award winners in the industrial category. Dual purpose Infiltration bed. Roof run-off (zinc free roof) discharges to the rock bed from pipe on the right and parking lot (dirty) water flows Into the cut In the concrete curb on the left corner. Storm Water 2'"1 Place Municipal Category Lowes Creek Demonstration Project Eau Claire, Wisconsin 16 ------- The Award Process The selection of award winners begins when EPA Headquarters solicits nominations from EPA Regional offices, States and territories. After an initial screening of these nominations at EPA Headquarters, the nominees are asked to complete an awards application. The Awards Review Committee uses these applications to judge the individual programs and projects, then selects the National Storm Water Control Program Excellence Award winners. Examples of roof vent collectors which capture potential liquid flows from roof vents associated with brewing process vessels and divert them to the process sewer system. Storm Water 2"" Place Industrial Category Anheuser-Busch Brewery Columbus, Ohio 17 ------- National Storm Water Program Excellence Awards Winners and Categories Municipal Category 1 st Place: Tanners Lake Water Quality Improvement District Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District Oakdale, Minnesota 2nd Place: Lowes Creek Storm Water Demonstration Project Eau Claire, Wisconsin Industrial Category 1 st Place: Ciba Specialty Chemicals Newport, Delaware 2nd Places: Anheuser-Busch Brewery Columbus, Ohio Coca Cola USA Fountain Columbus, Ohio 18 ------- National Combined Sewer Overflow Control Program Excellence Awards The Program This is the eighth year that awards are presented for National Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Control Program Excellence. This year's National CSO award is presented to one first place winner and two second place winners. The National CSO awards recognize municipalities which demonstrate their commitment to protect and improve the quality of the nations waters by implementing outstanding innovative and cost-effective CSO programs and projects. The CSO Control Program Excellence Awards heighten overall public awareness of CSO measures and encourage public support of programs aimed at protecting the public's health and safety and the nation's water quality. An Awards Review Committee comprised of CSO experts from EPA Headquarters and Regions selects the award recipients. Members of the committee evaluate all aspects of individual projects and programs. The Award Categories and the Award Process First and second place awards are given in the Municipal CSO category. The selection of award winners begins when EPA Headquarters solicits nominations from the 10 EPA Regions. After an initial screening of these nominations at EPA Headquarters, the nominees are asked to complete an awards application. The Awards Review Committee then uses these applications to judge the individual programs and projects and select the National CSO Control Program Excellence Award winners. 19 ------- National Combined Sewer Overflow Control Program Excellence Awards Winners and Category Municipal Category 1 st Place: Department of Public Utilities City of Richmond, Virginia 2nd Place: City of Auburn, New York Columbus Water Works Columbus, Georgia 20 ------- |