Town Sewage Treatment Plant Wins Environmental Quality Award

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognized the Newtown sewage treatment plant as being among the best operated and best maintained sewage treatment plants in New England during 2009.

In recent ceremonies in Boston, the EPA awarded the Newtown sewage treatment plant a Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant Excellence Award. The award was issued at the annual New England Water Environment Association Conference, according to a statement from EPA.

The plant was among six sewage treatment facilities in New England recognized by EPA for exemplary performance during 2009.

The EPA recognized the treatment plant’s staff, which is led by Julio Segarra, plant manager.

The Newtown plant’s staff includes mechanic Thomas Maugeri, operator Steven Knight, and area manager Jason O’Brien. The EPA also lauded Fred Hurley, who is the town’s public works director, and Richard Zang, who is the chairman of the Water & Sewer Authority (WSA), as well as all WSA members.

“The professionals operating these wastewater treatment plants, as well as the municipalities and the state environmental agencies that support them, are essential to keeping our environment healthy,” according to Curt Spalding, the regional administrator of EPA’s New England Office.

The EPA Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant Excellence Award was established to recognize and honor the employees of publicly owned wastewater treatment plants for their commitment to improving water quality with outstanding plant operations and maintenance and ongoing operator training.

This program has found that particularly with the smaller facilities, conscientious operators and staff continue to perform exceptionally well with limited resources.