Portland, Maine Industrial Pretreatment Program Recognized for Excellence

11.05.2015

The Portland Water District (PWD) and the City of Portland’s Industrial Pretreatment Program was recently selected by EPA for a 2015 Regional Industrial Pretreatment Program Excellence Award. 

The pretreatment program staff led by Rebekah Sirois (PWD), Abram Patenaude (PWD), and Ben Pearson (City of Portland) were recognized by EPA 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.  Rebekah Sirois and Abram Patenaude also developed a model comprehensive industrial waste survey in order to identify new industrial users. 

“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 Spaulding, 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.

PWD and the City of Portland’s joint Pretreatment Program was presented the Excellence Award at the 17th Annual EPA New England Industrial Pretreatment Program Conference on October 28, 2015 and will also be acknowledged on January 30, 2015, at the annual New England Water Environment Association Conference in Boston.