Pierce County Public Works and Utilities Wins 2007 Governor's Award for Pollution Prevention and Sustainable Practices

In a ceremony held on October 9th in the Columbia Room of the Legislative Building on the State Capital Campus, Pierce County Public Works and Utilities received its second major award of the year, the 2007 Governor's Award for Pollution Prevention and Sustainable Practices.

The award is in recognition of improvements in operations at the Chambers Creek Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant that includes the elimination of 90 tons of chlorine and sulfur dioxide gasses eliminating chemical discharge to Puget Sound, elimination of truck transport of biosolids saving 8,700 gallons of fossil fuels annually, the utilization of ultraviolet disinfection in wastewater treatment, and the initiation and production of SoundGRO at the Plant's new fertilizer manufacturing facility.

The award is an annual event highlighting public and private companies and government agencies that provide a range of services and products while maintaining economic vitality and protecting the environment. Accepting the award on behalf of Pierce County Public Works were Tim Ramsaur Wastewater Utility Manager, Robin Ordonez Wastewater Utility Engineering Manager, Larry Ekstrom Plant Superintendent, Steve Kamieniecki Senior Planner, and Rob Lowe Laboratory Supervisor.

Earlier this year Pierce County Public Works and Utilities was awarded the prestigious title of APWA Certified Utility.

Pierce County Public Works and Utilities earns prestigious APWA Accreditation, first such honor awarded to a Washington State County Public Works and Utility Department.

The American Public Works Association has bestowed its highest accreditation ranking upon Pierce County's Public Works and Utility Department. The accreditation acknowledges that the Public Works and Utilities Department adheres to the strictest requirements for a public service agency in meeting or exceeding guidelines posted by the APWA. Staff proudly displays the APWA Logo on correspondence, reports, official apparel, and lapels. This accreditation was the result of a total group effort of all employees within the Public Works and Utilities Department.

Chambers Creek Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant recognized as one of the top run facilities in the United States.

The Chambers Creek Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant has been recognized as one of the best run facilities in the United States. The plant has received the EPA 2-2-2 National First Place Award for Outstanding Operations and Maintenance programs from the Environmental Protection Agency and was cited for the facility's demonstrated innovative and cost-effective achievements that include modifications that improved water quality beyond required levels through industrial pretreatment, effective biosolids programs, and aggressive plant maintenance programs that prevent bypass and storm related flows into Puget Sound.

Pierce County's Chambers Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant Receives Department of Ecology Outstanding Performance Award.

Pierce County's Chambers Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant continued its record of perfect compliance with state regulations and was recognized by the Department of Ecology with an Outstanding Performance Award.

The Department stated that 'Forty-six of the 305 statewide plants have achieved perfect scores and that Pierce County has exceptional wastewater operations personnel'.