City of Clearwater’s Wastewater Treatment Plants Receive Prestigious Awards

8/13/2009 4:24:43 PM

Contact: Public Utilities, (727) 562-4960

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 13, 2009

Contact: Heather Shell Parsons

(727) 562-4708

City of Clearwater’s Wastewater Treatment Plants Receive Prestigious Awards

CLEARWATER, Fla. – Each of Clearwater’s three wastewater treatment facilities recently earned a Peak Performance Award, given by the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA):

• Marshall Street Plant – Platinum Award (for five years or more of “gold” status and 100 percent compliance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit)

• Northeast Plant – Silver Award (less than five excursions from 100 percent compliance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit)

• East Plant – Silver Award (less than five excursions from 100 percent compliance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit)

The program recognizes public wastewater treatment facilities for outstanding compliance records. Accomplishing Platinum and Silver status are stellar accomplishments due to the very large number of possible violations. Since wastewater treatment is a “behind-the-scenes task,” it is not often recognized for successes. NACWA was proud to recognize Clearwater during the Association’s 39th Annual Conference held July 15, 2009, in Milwaukee, Wis.

Tracy Mercer, Clearwater’s public utilities director said, “I am proud of all the efforts of our staff to ensure compliance at our wastewater plants. This award is the result of years of dedicated work, superior knowledge, and teamwork.”

The Water Pollution Control Division of Public Utilities operates Clearwater’s wastewater treatment plants. The plants take raw sewage and treat it to high standards for reuse as reclaimed water used for irrigation purposes. Excess high quality treated water is discharged into Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico when not used for irrigation. Use of reclaimed water reduces our need to irrigate with highly valued drinking water and discharge into Stevenson’s Creek and Tampa Bay.

For more information, contact Tracy Mercer at (727) 562-4960, or visit us online at www.myclearwater.com.

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