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Franklin, N.H. Wastewater Treatment Plant (Winnipesaukee River Basin Program) Recognized for Excellence

Release Date: 10/18/2006
Contact Information: David Deegan, (617) 918-1017

(Boston, Mass. – Oct. 18, 2006) – The Franklin, N.H. Wastewater Treatment Plant (Winnipesaukee River Basin Program) was recently selected by the U.S. EPA for a National First Place Award in the Large Secondary Plant Operations and Maintenance Excellence category, as part of the annual 2006 U.S. EPA Clean Water Act Recognition Awards selection process.

The staff is being recognized by EPA for outstanding work at this facility and its overall commitment to improving water quality. The Franklin plant is among four facilities in New England acknowledged for exemplary performance in the wastewater operations and maintenance and collection system categories, with all four winning First Place in their respective categories nationally. Several areas that the Franklin Wastewater Treatment Plant has excelled in to earn the award include: (1) outstanding compliance – no NPDES violations in nearly 3 years; (2) outstanding utilization and reliance of SCADA automation to save time, energy, and money; (3) implementation of a comprehensive and high quality equipment maintenance program; (4) development of an effective and proactive process control and field monitoring program; and (5) outstanding residuals management program.

The Franklin NH plant is a regional wastewater treatment and collection facility serving ten communities in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire. It is under the jurisdiction of the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services and is also known as the Winnipesaukee River Basin Program (WRBP). WRBP Director Richard Flanders, along with former Director Randy Monti, Steven Dolloff, Superintendent, Kenneth Noyes, Chief Operator, Craig Shippee, Maintenance Manager, Stanley Mitchell, Electrical Manager, Chris Hipkiss, Lab Section Supervisor, and their respective staffs, are acknowledged for their professional commitment and resourcefulness in the operation and maintenance of the Franklin Wastewater Treatment system over the years.

“The professionals operating this wastewater treatment plant play a crucial role ensuring that our lakes and rivers are protected from unnecessary pollution,” said Robert W. Varney, regional administrator of EPA's New England Office. “The individuals who operate this facility, and the municipalities that support them, are key to keeping our environment healthy. We are proud to give them the credit they deserve. It is also indicative of the dedication which NHDES staff continues to serve the public to protect water quality and public health and is an example of team work between local, state and federal officials.”

The U.S. EPA Clean Water Act Recognition Awards have been established to recognize and honor the employees of publicly owned wastewater treatment plants for their commitment to improving water quality not only with outstanding operation and maintenance, but also through a combination of continued permit compliance, effective financial management, and on-going operator training. More often than not and particularly with the smaller facilities, conscientious operators and staff continue to perform exceptionally with limited resources.

The staff and facility will be honored during the annual Water Environment Federation Technical Exhibition and Conference that will be held in Dallas, Texas from Oct. 21-25, 2006. In addition, the Franklin Wastewater Treatment Plant staff will be recognized at the January 2007 New England Water Environment Association Awards Luncheon in Boston.

More information: Waste water permits in New England (epa.gov/region1/npdes/index.html)

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