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Four Maine Communities Honored for Wastewater Treatment

Release Date: 02/20/2003
Contact Information: Peyton Fleming, EPA Press Office, 617-918-1008


BOSTON – The Saco, Maine municipal wastewater treatment facility was recently selected by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for a New England Regional Operations and Maintenance Excellence Award. The staff of the Saco Wastewater Treatment Facility was recognized by EPA's New England Office for their outstanding work in operating and maintaining the facility and their overall commitment to improving water quality. This plant was among 10 facilities in New England recognized for exemplary performance.

Also in Maine, the staff at three other wastewater treatment facilities were recognized for receiving EPA national wastewater excellence awards. The South Berwick Sewer District received a first place award in the small advanced plant category for operations and maintenance. The Lincoln Sanitary District won first place in the municipal category for CSO Control Program excellence, and the Bangor Wastewater Treatment Facility won second place for an industrial pretreatment award.

"The people who operate wastewater treatment plants do the work that is critical for ensuring that our lakes and rivers are protected from unnecessary pollution," said Robert W. Varney, regional administrator for EPA's New England Office. "The staff at these plants, who are key to keeping our environment healthy, deserve to be recognized."

The annual EPA New England Operations & Maintenance Excellence Awards, as well as the national awards, were established to recognize the staff of publicly owned wastewater treatment plants for their commitment to improving water quality through not only outstanding and innovative operation and maintenance, but also continued compliance with permit requirements, effective financial management, and on-going operator training.

Town officials in all four winning communities accepted the awards on behalf of their staff at the New England Water Environment Association's annual conference in Boston on Jan. 29. The Saco facility will be under consideration as a nominee for a national EPA award later this year.