Wastewater plants achieve compliance record

The Metropolitan Council’s wastewater treatment plants are winning awards for chalking up some impressive performance numbers.

In July, all eight of the plants received Peak Performance Awards from the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) for compliance with their clean water discharge permits in 2007.

MCES business unit coordinator Bill Lynaugh stands atop a building at the Hastings Wastewater Treatment Plant. The plant boasts 17 consecutive years of 100% compliance with its clean water discharge permits.

Leading the way was the Hastings Plant, earning a Platinum 17 Award for going 17 consecutive years without a permit exceedance. The St. Croix Valley Plant earned a Platinum 16 Award and the Seneca Plant in Eagan earned a Platinum 7 Award. Just four plants in the nation have longer perfect-performance records than the Hastings Plant – the leader is at 21 years – and three other plants have equaled Hastings’ streak.

Gold Awards, for no exceedances in 2007, went to the Blue Lake Plant in Shakopee, the Eagles Point Plant in Cottage Grove, the Metropolitan Plant in St. Paul, and the Rosemount Plant. The Empire Plant in Empire Township earned a Silver Award for recording fewer than five permit exceedances.

“In addition to this national recognition, we’re proud to note that through July 2008 all eight of our plants as a group have been in full compliance for 18 consecutive months, which is a record within our operation,” said Bill Moore, general manager of Metropolitan Council Environmental Services.

“Seasonal weather changes, equipment issues, and construction projects are among the many things that can upset our processes and make it difficult to meet wastewater treatment standards,” Moore said. “But the employees in our plants and in support functions are working hard to keep our plants in full compliance each and every day and do our part to safeguard the environment.”