Ephrata wastewater treatment plant gets perfect score

EPHRATA — The Ephrata Water Reclamation Facility was one of 44 "Outstanding Wastewater Treatment Plant" award winners that the Washington Department of Ecology will recognize for 2004.

Those lauded are treatment plants that have no spills into Washington waters last year and have helped keep water resources clean by complying perfectly with wastewater-discharge permits.

Plant operators will be receiving the awards over the next couple months as representatives from the DOE present them at public events.

"I am impressed by the extraordinary effort demonstrated by the staff at these 44 treatment plants," said Dave Peeler, water-quality manager for DOE. "They deserve our thanks for their outstanding dedication to keeping Washington's waters clean."

Everyday, wastewater from sewers and industry flow into these plants. The plants then treat the wastewater before sending it back out into the water cycle. The DOE issue permits to the plants so they can discharge the treated water into lakes, rivers and marine waters. Some treated water is also put onto the ground, according to the DOE.

Before DOE issues permits for dumping treated water they make sure that the plants can pass the tests and on-site inspections necessary to insure that water is safe for the environment.

"It's great to be in compliance with our tests and receive this award," said Troy Zerb, manager of the Ephrata Water Reclamation Facility. "There are so many variables. We work really hard to pass all of our tests."