BOSTON, MA, NOVEMBER 11, 2016 -- The Massachusetts Water Resource Authority (MWRA) Industrial Pretreatment Program in Boston, Mass. was recently selected by EPA for a 2016 Regional Industrial Pretreatment Program Excellence Award.
The industrial pretreatment program staff of MWRA's Toxic Reduction and Control Department (TRAC), was recognized by EPA's New England Office for exceptional work in inspecting, permitting and sampling of industrial users that discharge industrial waste into MWRA's sewer system.
In addition to inspecting of all of its Significant Industrial Users (SIU), MWRA conducted 918 oil/water separator trap inspections. Of the 379 sampling locations at SIUs, 224 were sampled more than once and 1241 total sampling events were conducted. MWRA also continues to provide outreach to its SIUs by hosting an annual educational meeting inviting all SIUs to participate. Lastly, MWRA enforcement staff initiated 253 enforcement actions and $166,000 worth of penalties were assessed against SIUs in FY 2015. For many years, the MWRA has also submitted outstanding annual industrial pretreatment reports which detail industrial pretreatment program highlights over the course of the year.
"The professionals implementing the industrial pretreatment program, as well as the state environmental agencies that support them, are key to keeping our environment healthy. EPA is proud to give them the credit they deserve," said Curt Spalding, regional administrator of EPA's New England Office.
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 industrial users discharging to the municipal sewer system.
The MWRA Industrial Pretreatment Program was presented the Excellence Award at the 18th Annual EPA New England Industrial Pretreatment Program Conference in October, and the awardees will also be acknowledged in January 2017, at the annual New England Water Environment Association Conference in Boston.
