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Oxford-Rochdale, MA Wastewater Treatment Facility Recognized for Excellence

Release Date: 02/09/04
Contact Information: Contact: Peyton Fleming, EPA Press Office, (617) 918-1008 Contact: Robert Wilson, Oxford-Rochdale, MA WWTP, 508-892-9549

For Immediate Release: February 9, 2004; Release #04-02-09

BOSTON – The Oxford-Rochdale, MA wastewater treatment facility was recently selected by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for a New England Regional Operations and Maintenance Excellence Award in the small secondary plant category. The staff of the facility was recognized by EPA's New England Office for their outstanding work. This plant was among five facilities in New England recognized for exemplary performance

The Oxford-Rochdale wastewater plant was originally an 0.18 million gallon per day facility that was upgraded in 1995 and doubled its capacity to a 0.368 million per gallon per day facility. The upgrade was done as part of an enforcement order by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and was completed four months ahead of schedule.

The staff, led by Chief Operator and Superintendent Robert Wilson and Assistant Plant Operator Michael Dupuis, is conscientious and takes great pride and care of its facility, according to EPA officials. It is a small plant with limited funding, but has been able to consistently meet effluent permit limits. The facility does experience higher flows during wet weather, but through careful operations it has not had any effluent violations.

"The professionals operating these wastewater treatment plants play a crucial role ensuring that our lakes and rivers are protected from unnecessary pollution," said Robert W. Varney, regional administrator for EPA's New England Office. "The individuals who run these plants, and the municipalities that support them, are key to keeping our environment healthy. I am proud to give them the credit they deserve."

The EPA Regional Operations & Maintenance Excellence Award recognizes the staffs of publicly owned wastewater treatment plants for their commitment to improving water quality not only with outstanding operation and maintenance, but also through a combination of continued permit compliance, effective financial management, and on-going operator training. More often than not and particularly with small facilities, conscientious operators and staff continue to perform exceptionally with limited resources. The facility and staff were recognized during the annual New England Water Environment Association Conference in Boston in January. It will be considered for nomination in the EPA 2004 National Operation and Maintenance Excellence Award process this spring.

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