Winnipesaukee plant gets national honors from EPA

By ROGER AMSDEN
Union Leader Correspondent
Thursday, Oct. 19, 2006

Franklin – The Winnipesaukee River Basin Program’s wastewater treatment plant has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as the best in the country.

It was recently selected for a national first-place award for operations and maintenance excellence in the large secondary treatment plant category.

The staff of the plant is being recognized by EPA for outstanding work that included having no environmental violations in nearly three years; outstanding utilization and reliance of automation to save time, energy, and money; implementation of a comprehensive and high quality equipment maintenance program; development of an effective and proactive process control and field monitoring program; and an outstanding residuals management program.

The Franklin plant is a regional wastewater treatment and collection facility serving 10 communities in the Lakes Region. It was established by HB 20 in 1972 and is administered by the state’s Department of Environmental Services.

“The professionals operating this wastewater treatment plant play a crucial role ensuring that our lakes and rivers are protected from unnecessary pollution,” said Robert W. Varney, regional administrator of EPA’s New England Office.

He said the plant’s management team, headed by Richard Flanders, program director, provides “a great example of teamwork between local, state and federal officials.” The staff and facility will be honored during the annual Water Environment Federation Technical Exhibition and Conference in Dallas, Texas Saturday through Wednesday, and again next January at the New England Water Environment Association Awards Luncheon in Boston.