BOSTON (Jan. 29, 2024) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) New England Office recently awarded four 2023 Regional Wastewater Treatment Awards to New Hampshire wastewater facilities and individuals to recognize them for their commitment to improving water quality.
The EPA Regional Wastewater Awards Program recognizes personnel in the wastewater field who have provided invaluable public service managing and operating wastewater treatment facilities throughout New England.
“Wastewater treatment is a vital, but often overlooked, part of our world. Most of us don’t realize what it takes behind the scenes for wastewater to be treated for pollution control and reuse, in order to protect public health and the environment,” said EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash. “It’s important for us to highlight those individuals and entities who excel in their work to protect our water quality and our health, and we at EPA congratulate them for their dedication to the environment and to our communities.”
2023 EPA Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator of the Year Award
Nate Brown of the Peterborough Wastewater Treatment Facility
Mr. Brown, who is the Utilities Superintendent of the Peterborough Wastewater Treatment Facility, was recognized for his outstanding work over the years operating and maintaining the facility. Mr. Brown was one of only seven individuals across New England to receive this award. The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services was instrumental in Brown’s nomination.
The EPA Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator of the Year 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. Wastewater operators and staff work diligently to protect public health and the environment, often with limited resources.
2023 EPA Regional Wastewater Trainer of the Year
Betty Green of B Green L&P Consulting
Ms. Green, who is the owner of B Green L&P Consulting, was recognized for her outstanding work as an instructor with the Granite State Rural Water Association. Ms. Green was the only person in New England to receive this award. The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services was instrumental in Green’s nomination.
The EPA Regional Wastewater Trainer of the Year was established to recognize and honor the trainers who provide exemplary education to operators in the wastewater sector. Wastewater is a constantly evolving field and operators are required to take many hours of training prior to becoming licensed, along with annual continuing education to keep them up to date on the newest technologies, contaminants, regulations, and other industry-specific topics.
2023 Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant Operation and Maintenance Excellence Award
Hanover Water Reclamation Facility
The Hanover Water Reclamation Facility, led by Superintendent Kevin MacLean, was recognized for exceptional work in operating and maintaining the wastewater treatment plant during the past year. The facility was one of only three facilities across New England to receive this award. The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services was instrumental in the facility’s nomination.
The EPA Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant Operation and Maintenance 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. Especially with the smaller facilities, conscientious operators and staff continue to perform exceptionally with limited resources.
2023 Regional Industrial Pretreatment Program Excellence Award
City of Nashua Industrial Pretreatment Program
The City of Nashua’s Pretreatment Program staff, led by Douglas Starr, was honored for exceptional work inspecting, permitting, and sampling industrial users that discharge industrial waste into the collection system.
The EPA Regional Industrial Pretreatment Program Excellence Award was established to recognize and honor employees of publicly owned wastewater treatment plants for their commitment to improving water quality through outstanding oversight of its industrial users discharging to the municipal sewer system.