Environment DEC
From the August 2003 issue
DEC Announces Pollution Control Award Winner
DEC Commissioner Erin Crotty has announced that the Chemung County Elmira Wastewater Treatment Facility has won the annual Andrew M. Weist Operations and Maintenance Excellence Award for municipal wastewater treatment plants.
The award was initiated in 1996 as part of Governor George Pataki's commitment to maintaining and enhancing the wastewater treatment infrastructure throughout the state. Since 1996, New York has committed $6.5 billion in grants and loans through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, the 1996 Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act and the Environmental Protection Fund for projects that protect and enhance water quality. The state also provides outreach, help and intensive training for treatment plant operators.
"Municipal wastewater treatment facilities are the backbone of New York's water quality protection efforts," Commissioner Crotty said. "This important award recognizes municipalities that have gone the extra mile to protect water quality in the state, and I am pleased to recognize the entire staff at Chemung County Elmira Wastewater Treatment Facility for its fine work and dedication to protecting our most critical natural resource-water."
Award Winning Programs
The Chemung County Elmira Wastewater Treatment Facility is staffed by 12 highly trained certified operators, has an outstanding maintenance program and boasts an exemplary record of compliance. The plant protects the Chemung River, where a shad-restocking program recently began. In 2002, the facility received a $500,000 low-interest loan from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund to finance improvements.
The DEC Division of Water judging committee made its selection based on commendable wastewater treatment performance, innovation and management that resulted in high levels of regulatory compliance. The award was presented by DEC Region 8 Director Sean Hanna and Division of Water Division Director Sandra Allen.
New York's winner moves on to national competition, where the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will select the top-ranking wastewater treatment plant in the country in October.
The Weist Award
The award memorializes the late Andrew M. Weist for contributions that enhanced wastewater treatment and improved water quality nationally and in New York. Weist worked at DEC for more than 32 years, retiring in 1995 after 15 years as the section chief of the DEC's Facility Operations Assistance Section.
Any publicly owned wastewater treatment plant in New York State is eligible to be considered for the Operations and Maintenance Excellence Awards Program. Treatment plant operators seeking applications or information should contact Gregg Gendron, (518) 402-8096, or write to:
Gregg Gendron
NYSDEC
625 Broadway
Albany, NY 12233-3506
