The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency recently recognized two local men for their outstanding performance in wastewater operations in 2009. Presenting the award at the 73rd annual Wastewater Operations Conference was Rebecca Flood. Far Left: Tom Nelson of the Grand Marais Public Utilities Commission accepts his award. Left: Ryan Brandt of the Superior National Golf Properties homeowner’s association receives congratulations from Flood.
Operators of two local wastewater treatment facilities were honored at the 73rd Annual Wastewater Operations Conference in Brooklyn Center, MN on March 25. Recognized were Tom Nelson from the city of Grand Marais and Ryan Brandt with Superior National Golf Properties of Lutsen.
Nelson and Brandt received awards for outstanding performance in wastewater operations in 2009. Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Assistant Commissioner Rebecca Flood praised the award recipients. “Minnesota’s wastewater operators are at the front lines in protecting our state’s water resources. The men being recognized today have worked diligently, day in and day out, to ensure that Minnesotans can enjoy clean water today and in years to come.”
To be eligible for this award, facility operators had to comply with discharge permit requirements throughout the 2009 calendar year. These requirements included submitting all monitoring reports to the MPCA correctly and on time, demonstrating compliance through monitoring or in surveys, and employing MPCA-certified operators.
This is the 33rd year that the MPCA has awarded certificates of commendation to wastewater treatment plants. Thisyear, 170 Minnesota facilities were awarded certificates of commendation.
City Administrator Mike Roth said, “I know this is a regular occurrence for Tom, as it was for our previous operators. Thecity of Grand Marais is really proud of their history of outstanding operations.”
The award is new to Superior National Golf Properties, which manages the wastewater treatment facility for the homeowner’s association adjacent to Superior National at Lutsen golf course. Project manager Mike Larson said developer George Nelson had worked very hard to develop a first-class wastewater treatment operation. “We wanted to do it right from the beginning, and we did,” said Larson.
TheWastewater Operations Conference brings together wastewater operators from all over Minnesota for training and professional education. There are about 1,700 wastewater treatment facilities in Minnesota, including municipal, industrial and some privately-operated institutional facilities. The size of the community, institution or treatment plant is not a factor in awarding the certificates of excellence.
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