c/EPA EARTH IS ft WATER Pi United States Environmental Protection Agency EPA 832-K-97-001 October 1997 Office of Water (4204) 1997 National Wastewater Management Excellence Awards Ceremony -i- . O&M, 1st Pice, L-ACaiaapiy Weslem Branch WWTR WSSC Final effluent passing ihrough ' ^ l*Al . ,»'K .jf- ------- United States Environmental Protection Agency Office of Water October 1997 Water Environment Federation Conference Chicago, Illinois Monday, October 20,1997 US EPA National Awards Program Managers Maria Campbell, Operations and Maintenance Awards John Walker, Beneficial Biosolids Use Awards Lisa Hammond, Pretreatment Awards Betty West, Storm Water Awards Tim Dwyer, Combined Sewer Overflow Awards ------- UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY WASHINGTON, DC 20460 OCT 20 1997 OFFICE OF WATER CONGRATULATIONS NATIONAL AWARD WINNERS! October 18,1997, begins the 25th Anniversary Year of the Clean Water Act (CWA). As water professionals, in or out of government, we can take pride in the progress made to improve and protect our Nation's waters using the tools provided by the Act. I cannot think of a more appropriate way to kick off the Silver Anniversary celebration of the CWA than by honoring those among us who have demonstrated their imagination and excellence in various important aspects of water management. As a former State and local official, I know that it takes an effective partnership of Federal, State and local officials, as well as the private sector, to achieve the kind of success that we celebrate today. In the 25 years since the enactment of the CWA, the pollutant loads from municipal wastewa- ter treatment facilities have fallen about 40% while the population served by these faculties increased by 30%. The hard work and dedication of local managers, plant operators and their staff has been an absolutely essential part of the steady progress toward the national goal of "fishable and swimmable" waters. We, at the Environmental Protection Agency, salute you and your colleagues throughout the nation on a job well done and look forward to working with you to address the challenges that still lie ahead. Sincerely, Robert Perciasepe Assistant Administrator ------- The Program Welcome Billy G. Turner President Water Environment Federation Opening Remarks and Presentation of Awards Robert Perciasepe 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 S406A. ------- National Wastewater Management Excellence Awards Programs History In 1986, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) initiated an annual National Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Excel- lence Awards Program to recognize outstanding O&M at publicly owned wastewater treatment facilities. The O&M Awards Pro- gram 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. This awards recognition program is authorized under Section 501 (e) of the Clean Water Act. 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 pretreatment 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. Since its initiation, national awards have been presented each year at the Water Environment Federation (WEF) National Conference. There are over 16,000 publicly owned and 60,000 industrially owned wastewater 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 outstanding and innovative wastewater management practices. Award winners' representatives are invited to attend this presentation ceremony. WEF has generously supported the awards program by co-hosting the awards cer- emony 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 Program This is the twelfth 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. O&M, First Place, S-A Category Hurtourt field AFBWWTF Okaloosa County FL Reuse water is used for plant washdown, irrigation, and belt filter press operations. 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 10 mgd, and large is greater than 10 mgd, except in the non-discharging plant category where large is greater than 1 mgd. This year there will be two first place award winners in the medium advanced category. The "Most Improved Plant" category, a favorite of the O&M pro- gram, 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)(l) of the Clean Water Act. ------- The Regional Award Process State water pollution control agencies solicit nominations from wastewater treatment facilities in their State. 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 are evaluated by a national selection panel based on Headquarters issued criteria. Award winners are invited to attend the presentation ceremony where they receive flags, plaques and certificates. Awards recognize the staff of these facilities and provide national recognition for their contributions to their community and to the nation's goal of clean water. 0 & M. First Place, L-S Category NEORD, Easterly WWTP Cleveland, OH The Nuidized bed grease and skimmings incinerator A (anker unloading grease and skimmings from one of the other district facilities. 6 ------- The Criteria Treatment facilities are judged based on their achievements within the following areas: Compliance Equipment Maintenance Management Financial Management Innovative O&M Practices Laboratory Management Personnel Training Programs Biosolids Handling and Disposal Safety Education Pollution Prevention Process Control and Field Monitoring Septage Management Toxic Waste Controls Collection System Controls Collection System Maintenance Management Public Education Plant Automation Best Management Practices ------- National Operations and Maintenance Excellence Awards Winners and Categories Small Secondary Plant 1st Place: Village of Speculator Wastewater Treatment Plant Speculator, New York Medium Secondary Plant 1st Place: City of Fort Lupton Fort Lupton, Colorado 2nd Place: Valley Forge Sewer Authority Phoenixville, Pennsylvania Large Secondary Plant 1st Place: Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District Easterly Wastewater Treatment Plant Cleveland, Ohio 2nd Place: Springfield Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility, Springfield, Massachusetts Small Advanced Plant 1st Place: Hurlburt Field Wastewater Treatment Plant Huriburt Field Air Force Base Okaloosa County, Florida Medium Advanced Plant 1st Places: Wallingford Wastewater Treatment Plant Wallingford, Connecticut Tar River Water Reclamation Facility Louisburg, North Carolina 2nd Place: City of Medford, Wisconsin 8 ------- Large Advanced Plant 1st Place: 2nd Place: Western Branch Wastewater Treatment Plant Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission Metro Wastewater Reclamation District Denver, Colorado Small Non-discharging Plant 1st Place: 2nd Place: Pelican Bay State Prison Wastewater Treatment Plant, Crescent City, California North County Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant Indian River County, Vero Beach, Florida Large Non-discharging Plant 1st Place: City of Bartow Water Reclamation Facility Bartow, Florida 0 & M, First Place, M-S \fcltey Forge Sewer Authority Phoenixviiie, PA A home made manhole surge indicator, along with an insert and inventory of riser rings- ad of which are used to monitor and control. 9 ------- Most Improved Plant John H. Samson National Award 1st Place: Richmond Wastewater Treatment Facility Richmond, Vermont 104(g) Trainer: Paul Olander, Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation 2nd Place: Pleasant Valley Regional Sewer District, Chillicothe, Ohio 104(g) Trainer: Ohio EPA's 104(g) Compliance Assistance Unit O&M, First Place, MIP Richmond WWTF Richmond, VT Staff Redesigned storage for chlorination/dectilorination chemicals, sets up custom system O&M, Second Place, MIP Category Pleasant Valley Regional Sewer District ChflKcothe, OH Staff manufactured Screening device 10 ------- National Beneficial Use of Municipal Wastewater Biosolids Excellence Awards The Program This is the tenth year of the EPA's National Biosolids awards pro- gram 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 management practices that use wastewater biosolids beneficially and that are environmentally 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 recog- nizes their professional efforts. We congratulate this year's award winners, and encourage nominations of worthy candidates for next year's regional and national beneficial biosolids use award programs. 11 ------- The Award Categories and Criteria The beneficial use of municipal wastewater biosolids award candi- dates 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 Significant recycling/reuse of natural resources (e.g., nutrients, organic matter, and energy). Sustained (several year), full-scale, proven operation. Consistent, cost-effective operation. Public acceptability. Compliant with applicable Federal, State, and local regulations. * Excellence in project management. For Technology Development Activities 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. Operationally proven. 12 ------- For Research Activities Greater public acceptability of biosolids beneficial use. Greatly improves the understanding of the environmental effects of beneficial use of biosolids. Substantial contribution toward the development of improved design and operation. Key information generated for development of improved biosolids regulations and guidance. For Public Acceptance Efforts Demonstrated increase in public acceptance. Characterized by dedicated successful individual and team efforts. 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. 13 ------- The Award Process Candidates for the six categories of national awards may be nomi- nated by anyone including EPA Regions, States, municipalities, consultants, researchers, or other interested parties. Some EPA Regions are sponsoring their own awards programs, Applicants must complete a standard nomination form with identifying infor- mation, executive summary, facility/activity information, and additional supporting information. Nomination guidance for the 1998 awards will be available from EPA Regional Offices in early 1998. Biosoiid Application \fehicle in Gastonia, NC Biosdids field applications Gastonia, NC 14 ------- National Beneficial Use of Municipal Wastewater Biosolids Excellence Awards Winners and Categories Operating Projects Less Than or Equal to 5 mgd 1st Place: University Area Joint Authority, Wastewater Operations Division, State College, Pennsylvania 2nd Place: Commissioners of Public Works of the Town of Summerville, South Carolina Honorable Mention: Letchworth Avenue Wastewater Treatment Plant, Billerica, Massachusetts Operating Projects Greater Than 5 mgd 1st Place: Department of Public Works & Engineering Water Operations Division City of Houston, Texas 2nd Place: Duckett Creek Sanitary District St. Charles, Missouri Honorable Mention: Pole Bridge Creek AST Facility Dekalb County, Georgia Honorable Mention: Department of Public Works & Utilities Wastewater Treatment Division City of Gastonia, North Carolina Municipal Public Acceptance Efforts 1st Place: Cartersville, Georgia Water Department 15 ------- Special Awards For Outstanding Efforts by a Four-Member Multi- Departmental Team that has Promoted Excellence in Composting Geoff Hill Maine Compost Team Member Maine State Planning Office Mark King Maine Compost Team Member Maine Department of Environmental Protection Bill Seekins Maine Compost Team Member Maine Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources Dick Verville Maine Compost Team Member University of Maine Cooperative Extension For Outstanding Team Efforts to Overcome Odor Problems and Gain Community Acceptance Springfield Water & Sewer Commission Springfield, Massachusetts Lush green field from BiosolkJs Fertilization in Gastonia, NC 16 ------- National Pretreatment Program Excellence Awards The Program This is the ninth 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 recog- nize 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. Category 5 (>100 SlUs) County Sanitation Districts of Orange County Fountain ralley, CA Source Control Technician sets a sampler as part of CSDOCS's Non-industrial Source Control Project 17 ------- The Award Criteria POTWs are judged on their performance in the following areas: Legal Authority Industrial User Permitting Local Limits Industrial User Monitoring Enforcement Environmental Achievements Public Outreach Innovations in Program Implementation Category 4 (51-100 SlUls) East Bay Municipal Utility District Oakland, CA Water Control Inspector checks sample quality after the installation of automatic sampling equipment at an industrial facility 18 ------- The Award Categories Awards are given in five categories based on the number of signifi- cant industrial users (SIUs): 0 -10 SIUs; 11-20 SIUs; 21 - 50 SIUs; 51 to 100 SIUs; and Greater than 100 SIUs. This year there will be first place awards in all categories. A second place award will be in the 21 to 50 SIUs category. The Award Process The selection of POTWs for Pretrearment 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 applica- tions to judge the local pretreatment programs and to choose National Pretreatment Program Excellence Award Winners. Category 2 (11-10 SlU's) Anne Arundei County, Department of Public Works Annapolis, MO Inspecting Pretreatment System 19 ------- National Pretreatment Program Excellence Awards Winners and Categories 0-10 SIUs 1st Place: City of Fort Collins, Colorado 11 - 20 SIUs 1st Place: Anne Arundel County Department of Public Works Annapolis, Maryland 21 - 50 SIUs 1st Place: Chesterfield County, Virginia 2nd Place: Pima County Wastewater Management Division Tucson, Arizona 51 -100 SIUs 1st Place: East Bay Municipal Utility District Oakland, California Greater than 100 SIUs 1st Place: County Sanitation Districts of Orange County Fountain Valley, California 20 ------- 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 outstand- ing, innovative and cost-effective Storm Water control programs and projects. This awards program heightens overall public awareness of storm water 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 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 will be two first place award winners in the municipal category. First Place, Municipal Category City of Sacramento, CA Storm Water Outfall from Sump 67 inlo Elder Creek 21 ------- The Award Process The selection of award winners begins when EPA Headquarters solicits nominations from EPA Regional offices, States and territo- ries. After an initial screening of these nominations at EPA Head- quarters, 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. Second Place, Municipal Category Birmingham StreetInnovatiw Storm Sewer, Maplewood, MN 22 ------- National Storm Water Program Excellence Awards Winners and Categories Municipal Category 1st Places: 2nd Place: City of Sacramento, California, and County of Sacramento, California Birmingham StreetInnovative Storm Sewer Maplewood, Minnesota Industrial Category 1st Place: Mahoning Landfill, Inc., New Springfield, Ohio 2nd Place: NewCon, Inc., Reynoldsburg, Ohio Second Place, Industrial Category NewCon, Inc. Reynoldsburg, OH After concrete deliveries, trucks are washed out into this pit which is directed through the diversion into the recycler system 23 ------- National Combined Sewer Overflow Control Program Excellence Awards The Program This is the sixth year that awards are presented for National Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Control Program Excellence. This years National CSO awards are 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 outstand- ing 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 pro- grams aimed at protecting the public's health and safety and the nations' 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 pro- grams. The Award Categories and the Award Process First and second place awards are given in the Municipal CSO cat- egory. The selection of award winners begins when EPA Headquar- ters 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. 24 ------- National Combined Sewer Overflow Control Program Excellence Awards Winners and Category Municipal Category . 1st Place: Augusta Sanitary District, Augusta, Maine 2nd Places: Fox Metro Water Reclamation District/City of Aurora, Aurora, Illinois CSO Abatement and Wet Weather Treatment West Lafayette, Indiana 25 ------- |