The Newtown Wastewater Treatment Plant, operated by United Water, was recognized for its operational and maintenance performance by Region One of the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The 2009 Excellence Award was presented to representatives of the Town of Newtown and United Water at the New England Water Environment Association’s annual conference.
The facility and staff was nominated by the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (CT DEP) for its compliance with water quality requirements and for the innovative plant upgrades that improve nitrogen removal. Nitrogen and phosphorous have been identified by both the EPA and the CT DEP as a primary pollutant in the Long Island Sound. The Newtown facility now has a 90% nitrogen removal rate.
“This award is the culmination of the efforts of many people," said Fred Hurley, Newtown’s Public Works Director. “The team includes members of the Newtown Water and Sewer Authority, who supported the innovative change; the Fuss & O’Neill design team with the original concepts for nitrogen and phosphorous removal. And finally, we also want to recognize, Julio Segarra, Plant Manager, United Water and Jason O’Brien, Area Manager for United Water and the staff whose efforts put all the system capabilities together to create an award winner.”
The facility is an advanced wastewater treatment plant that is designed to treat an average flow rate of 0.932 million gallons a day of wastewater from the Town of Newtown and the Fairfield Hills Complex. The recent upgrades to the facility also reduced energy usage. The facility serves 1,126 residential and industrial customers.
“We are very pleased to be part of the team. The recognition reflects the value of the partnership and the mutual commitment of the Town of Newtown and United Water to preserve and protect our natural environment. We are proud of our staff’s role in the facility’s achievement,” said Bill Douglass, Vice President of United Water, North East Division.
ABOUT UNITED WATER
United Water Newtown provides wastewater treatment to 1,126 residential and business customers. United Water, North East Division, provides water and wastewater services to over 140 municipal and industrial systems . Nationwide, United Water provides waste wastewater services to over 7 million people in 26 states through the dedication of its 2,600 employees. In addition to owning and operating 20 regulated utilities, United Water operates 240 municipal systems through public-private partnerships and contract agreements, including three of the nation's largest water and wastewater contracts: Indianapolis, IN, Gary, IN and Jersey City, NJ. The company’s affiliate, Utility Service Company, provides water tank asset management services to over 2,000 municipal and industrial clients under long term contracts. Founded in 1869, United Water is a subsidiary of the SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT.
ABOUT SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT
Natural resources are not infinite. Each day, SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT (Paris: SEV, Brussels: SEVB) and its subsidiaries deal with the challenge to protect resources by providing innovative solutions to industries and to millions of people. SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT supplies drinking water to 90 million people, provides wastewater treatment services for 58 million people and collects the waste produced by 46 million people. SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT has 65,900 employees and, with its presence on a global scale, is the world’s leader exclusively dedicated to environmental services. SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT, a 35.4% GDF SUEZ affiliate, reported sales turnover of 12.3 billion euros ($17.6 billion USD) at the end of financial year 2009.