The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency recognized 295 Minnesota wastewater treatment facilities for maintaining outstanding permit compliance from October 2016 through September 2017.

MPCA’s Assistant Commissioner of Water Policy Shannon Lotthammer presented certificates and praised award recipients for their persistent work and dedication to protecting water quality.

To be eligible for the recognition, facilities were required to submit all reports to the MPCA correctly and on time, demonstrate consistent compliance through monitoring, operations and maintenance, and employ staff certified by the MPCA in wastewater operations.

The awards were presented at the 81st annual wastewater operations conference in Brooklyn Park. The annual conference brings together wastewater operators from Minnesota for training and professional education. In Minnesota, there are about 1,600 municipal and industrial wastewater treatment facilities. Community, institution, or treatment plant size was not a factor in awarding the certificates.

Area wastewater treatment plants who were recognized include Albert Lea, Ellendale, Emmons, Glenville, Hayward and New Richland.