The City of Sequim Water Reclamation Facility has received the 2011 “Wastewater Treatment Plant Outstanding Performance” award from the State of Washington Department of Ecology. The award was presented by Pat Bailey, Compliance Specialist with the Department of Ecology, at the July 9, 2012 Sequim City Council meeting.
The award was granted based on the evaluation of the treatment plant for compliance with effluent limits, monitoring and reporting requirements, spill prevention planning, pretreatment, and the overall operational demands of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. There are approximately 330 wastewater treatment plants in Washington. The Sequim plant was one of 108 that received the award for compliance with its NPDES permit in 2011.
“We recognize the effort and attention to detail that is required to consistently and reliably treat wastewater to a high level of quality. Plant operators must conduct thousands of process monitoring tests throughout the year to keep the process on track and operating at peak performance. Complying with all the conditions of the waste discharge permit, as well as not exceeding any effluent limitation, requires the dedication of operators, maintenance staff, engineering staff, administrative support and management. We are grateful for your dedication to protect the waters of the Pacific Northwest – a great natural and recreational resources,” stated Robert W. Bergquist, Southwest Region Manager, Water Quality Program of the Department of Ecology in a letter to City of Sequim Mayor Ken Hays.
The City of Sequim plant operations and maintenance staff was applauded for their work in bringing the Water Reclamation Facility to this high level of compliance.