Six treatment plants recognized for outstanding performance

MPCA director praises wastewater systems for protecting state’s waters

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) in March recognized six of the Metropolitan Council’s eight regional wastewater treatment plants for outstanding operation, maintenance and management from October 2004 through September 2005. The Empire, Hastings, Metropolitan, Rosemount, St. Croix Valley and Seneca Plants earned certificates of commendation at the annual MPCA awards program.

Gaylen Reetz, director of the MPCA’s Municipal Division, presented the awards during the agency’s Annual Wastewater Operations Conference in Bloomington. “People have come to expect dependability in their wastewater treatment systems, and you are delivering on that,” Reetz said. “Thank you for the great job you are doing protecting our state’s waters and resources.”

Jones taking sludge sample at treatment tank

Bruce Jones, plant operator at the Seneca Wastewater Treatment Plant, takes a sludge sample from a wastewater treatment tank.

The awards are based on full compliance with clean water discharge permits. They also require that facilities are overseen by properly certified operators; all required monthly and annual reports are timely and complete; and facilities have no bypasses, enforcement actions or inspections identifying significant compliance concerns.

“Each year our treatment plants achieve 99.8 percent or greater compliance with their clean water discharge permits,” said Bill Moore, general manager of the Council’s Environmental Services division. “They do more than meet the stringent permit limits — in most categories they are well below the limits, further reducing pollution to our area rivers.”