S-EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Water
(4204M)
EPA-832-K-01-001
October 2001
2001 National Wastewater
Management Excellence
Awards Ceremony
O&M 1st Place, Large Advanced Category
Littleton/Englewood Wastewater Treatment Plant
Englewood, Colorado
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United States
Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Water
October 2001
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
2001 National Wastewater
Management Excellence
Awards Ceremony
Water Environment Federation Conference
Atlanta, Georgia
Monday, October 15, 2001
US EPA National Awards Program Managers
Maria Campbell, Operations and Maintenance Awards
John Walker, Exemplary Biosolids Management Awards
Patricia Campbell, Pretreatment Awards
Wendy Bell, Storm Water Awards
Tim Dwyer, Combined Sewer Overflow Controls Awards
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The Program
Welcome
Al Goodman
Past-President
Water Environment Federation
Opening Remarks
and
Presentation of Awards
G. Tracy Mehan, III
Assistant Administrator for Water
U.S. EPA
Announcement of Award Recipients
Michael B. Cook
Director
Office of Wastewater Management
U.S. EPA
National Award Recipients
Operations and Maintenance Program Winners
Exemplary Biosolids Management Program Winners
Pretreatment Program Winners
Combined Sewer Overflow Program Winners
Refreshments, compliments of WEF, will be served following the ceremony in Room 313E
East Concourse.
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National Wastewater Management
Excellence Awards Programs
History
In 1985, by authority of Section 501(e) of the Clean Water Act, the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) initiated an annual National Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Excellence
Awards Program to recognize outstanding O&M at publicly owned wastewater treatment
facilities. The first national awards were presented in 1986. 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.
Due to that success, the awards program was expanded in 1988 to include the Sludge Awards,
recently renamed Exemplary Biosolids Management Awards to recognize outstanding 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 Control Awards and the Storm Water Awards programs were
added to recognize outstanding wastewater management 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 more than 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, programs or projects
which have achieved outstanding compliance results and have demonstrated an exceptional
technological achievement, method, or device in their waste treatment and pollution abatement
programs. Award winners' representatives are invited to attend this presentation ceremony.
WEF has provided generous support for 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.
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National Operations and Maintenance
Excellence Awards
The Program
This is the sixteenth year for 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.
The Award Categories
Winners are recognized in nine award categories: large, medium, and small advanced treatment
plants; large, medium, and small secondary treatment plants; large and small 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 one to 10 mgd,
and large is greater than 10 mgd, except in the non-discharging plant category where large is
greater than one mgd.
The "Most Improved Plant" category, a favorite of the O&M program, recognizes
extraordinary 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.
This year there is a tie for first place in the medium advanced category and no first or second
place winners in the large secondary plant category and small non-discharging plant categories.
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 which may 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 Headquarters issued criteria. Award
winners are invited to attend the presentation ceremony where they may 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.
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The Criteria
Treatment facilities are judged based on their achievements within the
following areas:
* Automation
* 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
* Most Improved Plant
* Non-dischargers
* Personnel Training Programs
* Pollution Prevention
* Process Control and Field Monitoring
* Public Education
* Safety Education
* Septage Management
* Toxic Waste Controls
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2001 National Operations and Maintenance
Excellence Awards
Winners and Categories
Large Advanced Plant
1 st Place: Littleton/Englewood Wastewater Treatment Plant
Englewood, Colorado
2nd Place: Central Regional Wastewater System
Trinity River Authority of Texas
Grand Prairie, Texas
Medium Advanced Plant
1st Place (tie): Metropolitan Council Stillwater Wastewater Treatment Plant
Oak Park Heights, Minnesota
City of Rutland Wastewater Treatment Facility
Rutland, Vermont
2nd Place: Fairmont Wastewater Treatment Plant
Fairmont Sanitary Sewer Board
Fairmont, West Virginia
Small Advanced Plant
1st Place: Denver S.E. Suburban Water & Sewer District
Pinery Water Reclamation Plant
Parker, Colorado
2nd Place: County of Berks Welfare Tract Sewage Treatment Plant
Bern Township, Pennsylvania
Medium Secondary Plant
1 st Place: Lebanon Wastewater Treatment Facility
City of Lebanon, New Hampshire
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2nd Place: Elk River Wastewater Treatment Plant
Elk River, Minnesota
Small Secondary Plant
1 st Place: Troy/Jay Wastewater Treatment Facility
North Troy, Vermont
2nd Place: Isle Royale National Park, Rock Harbor
Wastewater Treatment Facility
Houghton, Michigan
Large Non-discharging Plant
1 st Place: South Tahoe Public Utility District
South Lake Tahoe, California
2nd Place: Orange County South Water Reclamation Facility
Orlando, Florida
Most Improved Plant
John H. Samson National Award
1 st Place: Pickaway Correctional Institution Wastewater
Treatment Plant, Orient Ohio
Section 104(g) Trainer: Ohio EPA Compliance Assistance Unit
Columbus, Ohio
2nd Place: Bancroft Wastewater Treatment Facility
Village of Bancroft, Nebraska
Section 104(g) Trainer: Russell Irwin, Program Specialist
Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality
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National Exemplary Biosolids Management Awards
The Program
This is the fourteenth 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.
Innovative 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 that occurs.
For years, many municipalities, individuals, and groups have worked to make significant
contributions to the study and practice of environmentally safe use and disposal of municipal
biosolids. This awards program recognizes their professional efforts. We congratulate this
year's award winners, and encourage nominations of commendable candidates for next year's
regional and national Exemplary Biosolids Management award programs.
The Award Categories and Criteria
The Exemplary Biosolids Management award candidates are evaluated using the following
criteria:
For Operating Projects
Two Categories: 1) Less Than or Equal to 5 dry tons/per day; and 2) Greater Than 5 dry
tons/per day
* 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).
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* 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 regulations 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.
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The National Award Process
Candidates for the six categories of national awards may be nominated by anyone including
EPA Regions, States, municipalities, consultants, researchers, or other interested parties.
Nomination guidance for the year 2002 awards will be available from EPA Regional Offices in
early 2002. 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.
Biosolids Management, 1st Place
Small Operating Projects
City of Gresham Wastewater Treatment Plant, Gresham, Oregon
The whole picture shows the difference Biosolids
can do to a crop. (Top portion of the field is
nice and green. Lower portion of the field is
before the biosolids application.)
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2001 National Exemplary Biosolids Management
Awards Winners and Categories
Operating Projects Greater Than 5 dry tons/per day
1st Place: Anne Arundel County, Maryland Department
of Public Works
Annapolis, Maryland
2nd Place: San Jose/Santa Clara Water Pollution Control Plant
San Jose/Santa Clara, California
Operating Projects Less Than or Equal to 5 dry tons/per day
1 st Place: City of Gresham Wastewater Treatment Plant
Gresham, Oregon
SPECIAL AWARDS
A Consortium of the Climax Molybdenum Company and the
Breckenridge Sanitation District, Silverthorne Dillon Joint
Sewer Authority, Summit County Recycling, Westvac
Environmental Services, Copper Mountain Consolidated
Metropolitan District, Summit County Board of County
Commissioners and Frisco Sanitation District in Colorado
For an Outstanding Project Involving a Public/Private Consortium
in Summit County, CO., Using Municipal Biosolids to Reclaim a
High Altitude Climax Mine Spoil
Hawk Ridge Compost Facility
Unity Plantation, Maine
For An Outstanding Project Involving the Composting and Use of
Biosolids from Twenty-five Municipal Facilities in Maine
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National Pretreatment Program
Excellence Awards
The Program
This is the twelfth year of the 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.
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 three categories based on the number of significant industrial users (SIUs):
0 - 25 SIUs; 26-100 SIUs; and Greater than 100 SIUs. For the year 2001, the program
includes first and second place awards in two categories.
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The National 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 EPA Headquarters, EPA Regions and States evaluates all aspects of the
implementation of the nominee's pretreatment programs, as well as the environmental benefits
of the programs, and select National Pretreatment Program Excellence Award winners. The
committee also seek to recognize innovations that are transferable to other cities' programs.
2001 National Pretreatment Awards
Winners and Categories
0 - 25 SIUs
1st Place: Central Contra Costa Sanitary District
Martinez, California
2nd Place: Goleta Sanitary District
Goleta, California
26-100 SIUs
1st Place: Clean Water Services
Hillsboro, Oregon
2nd Place: Camden County Municipal Utilities
Camden, New Jersey
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National Storm Water Control Program
Excellence Awards
The Program
The Storm Water Control Program Excellence Awards 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.
The National 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 evaluate the individual programs and projects, then
selects the National Storm Water Control Program Excellence Award winners.
For the year 2001, there are no National Storm Water Awards winners.
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National Combined Sewer Overflow Control
Program Excellence Awards
The Program
This is the ninth year that awards are presented for National Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO)
Control Program Excellence. The National CSO awards recognize municipalities which
demonstrate their commitment to protect and improve the quality of the nation's 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. This year's National CSO award is presented to one first place
winner and one second place winner.
2001 National Combined Sewer Overflow Control
Program Awards Winners and Category
Municipal Category
1 st Place: Columbus Water Works
Columbus, Georgia
2nd Place: City of Brewer, Maine
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For more information on the U.S. EPA National and Regional Wastewater Management Excellence Awards
program contact your State water pollution control agency, the U.S. EPA offices or WEF at the following
locations:
Region 1
Office of Ecosystem Protection (MC-CMU)
JFK Federal Building, One Congress Street
Boston, MA 02114-2023
(617)918-1764
Region 2
Division of Environmental Planning
and Protection
290 Broadway
New York, NY 10007-1866
(212)637-3836
Region 3
Water Management Division
1650 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103-2029
(215)814-5788
Region 4
Water Management Division
61 Forsyth Street
Atlanta, GA 30303-3104
(404) 562-9280 Ext. 29248
Region 5
Environmental Services Division
77 West Jackson Boulevard
Chicago, Illinois 60604-3507
(312)353-5784
Region 6
Water Quality Protection Division
Fountain Place, 12th Floor, Suite 1200
1445 Ross Avenue, Dallas, TX 75202-2733
(214) 655-6525
Region 7
Water, Wetlands, & Pesticides Division
901 N. 5th Street
Kansas City, KS 66101
(913)551-7453
Region 8
Office of Partnerships and Regulatory Asst.
999 18th Street, Suite 500
Denver, CO 80202-2466
(303)312-6280
Region 9
Water Division
75 Hawthorne Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415)972-3491
Region 10
Office of Water
1200 Sixth Avenue
Seattle, WA 98101
(206)553-8575
Headquarters
Office of Wastewater Management
1200 Pennsylvania Ave, NW (4204M)
Washington, D.C. 20460
(202) 564-0628
The Water Environment Federation (WEF)
Attn: Technical Services
601 Wythe Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 684-2400
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