Pateros receives fifth consecutive wastewater award

PATEROS – For the fifth consecutive year the city of Pateros has been awarded the Wastewater Treatment Plant Outstanding Performance award from State of Washington Department of Ecology (DOE).

The award recognizes full compliance with DOE’s 2018 National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System  permit that covers effluent limits, monitoring and reporting requirements, spill prevention planning, pretreatment, and overall operational demands of the permit.

“Of approximately 300 wastewater treatment plants statewide, yours is one of 109 that achieved full compliance,” wrote DOE Water Quality Program Manager Heather Bartlett.

“Your excellent record is a credit to the dedicated operators who are responsible for running this award-winning plant.”

Bartlett noted that it is not easy to operate a wastewater treatment plant 24 hours a day, 365 days a year without violations.

Pateros mayor Carlene Anders announced the award during the regular monthly meeting of the city council on July 15. Mike Lambert is the city’s plant operator and maintenance technician.