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News Releases from Region 01

Portland, Maine Water District Industrial Pretreatment Program Recognized for Excellence

03/04/2016
Contact Information: 
David Deegan (deegan.dave@epa.gov)
617-918-1017

BOSTON - The Portland Water District's Industrial Pretreatment Program was recently selected by EPA for a "2015 Regional Industrial Pretreatment Program Excellence Award."

The District's pretreatment program's staff in Portland, Maine is led by Rebekah Sirois and Abram Patenaude, who share the role as Industrial Pretreatment Coordinators. The staff was recognized by EPA's New England Office for exceptional work in inspecting, permitting and sampling of industrial users that discharge industrial waste into the City's collection system.

The development of an exemplary electronic industrial pretreatment data management system was one of the primary reasons for the award nomination. The pretreatment staff has also developed a model comprehensive industrial waste survey in order to identify new industrial users. For many years, the City has also submitted outstanding annual industrial pretreatment reports which detail industrial pretreatment program highlights over the course of the year. The Pretreatment staff are forthright and interactive - all the while being very young but very competent.

"The professionals implementing the industrial pretreatment program, as well as the state environmental agencies that support them, are key to keeping our environment healthy. I am proud to give them the credit they deserve," said Curt Spalding, regional administrator of EPA's New England Office.

The EPA Regional Industrial Pretreatment Program Excellence Award was established to recognize and honor employees of publicly owned wastewater treatment plants for their commitment to improving water quality through outstanding oversight of its industrial users discharging to the municipal sewer system. More often than not, and particularly with the smaller facilities, conscientious pretreatment coordinators and staff continue to perform exceptionally with limited resources.

The District's Pretreatment Program was presented the Excellence Award at the 17th Annual EPA New England Industrial Pretreatment Program Conference and was also acknowledged at the annual New England Water Environment Association Conference in Boston.