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United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
EPA 832-K-97-001
October 1997
Office of Water (4204)
1997 National
Wastewater
Management
Excellence Awards
Ceremony
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O&M, 1st Pice, L-ACaiaapiy
Weslem Branch WWTR WSSC
Final effluent passing ihrough
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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