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

-------