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Bethel, Vt. Wastewater Treatment Facility Recognized for Excellence

Release Date: 02/07/2006
Contact Information:

U.S. EPA - New England Regional Office
February 7, 2006

Contact: David Deegan, 617-918-1017

(Boston) - The Bethel, Vermont Wastewater Treatment Facility was recently selected by EPA for an "Operations and Maintenance Wastewater Excellence Award" in the most improved plant category.

The staff of the Bethel facility was recognized by EPA's New England Office for its outstanding work in operating and maintaining the facility in addition to their overall commitment to improving water quality. The plant is among six facilities in New England acknowledged for exemplary performance in 2005.

Chief Operator Timothy Mills was singled out for his professional commitment and resourcefulness in the operation and maintenance of this facility. The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation was instrumental in nominating this facility.

“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 run this plant, and the municipalities that support them, are key to keeping our environment healthy. I am proud to give them the credit they deserve.”

The EPA Regional Operations & Maintenance Excellence Award was established to recognize and honor the employees of publicly owned wastewater treatment plants for their dedication 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 Town of Bethel and its Town Manager, Delbert Cloud, have been especially supportive of all of the improvements that the wastewater treatment plant has made in recent years.

The staff and facility were recognized on January 25th at the annual New England Water Environment Association Conference. The Bethel Wastewater Treatment Plant will have the opportunity to be nominated for a national EPA 2006 National Operation and Maintenance Excellence Award this coming spring.

For more information: https://www.epa.gov/ne/topics/water/wwater.html

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