Posted: March 25, 2008
For more information
Tammy Beutnagel, [830] 379-5822 or email
Canyon Park Estates Wastewater Treatment Plant operated by the Guadalupe Blanco River Authority will be honored as the 2008 Wastewater Treatment Plant of the Year in Category 1 by the Water Environment Association of Texas (WEAT) at Texas Water 2008™ in San Antonio on March 27, 2008. The award recognizes a wastewater treatment facility with flows less than 1 million gallons per day for consistently exhibiting outstand¬ing performance in daily activities beyond the normal call of duty.
The Rural Utilities Team of the Guadalupe Blanco River Authority began operating the Canyon Park Estates Wastewater Treatment Plant following construction in 1976. The plant removes both conventional pollutants and has strict nutrient limitations as well. The treatment plant has an excellent compliance history and has had no permit violations the last two years. In addition to the plant, the staff maintains 4 miles of collection system and two lift stations.
The plant's health and safety programs have been recognized by Texas Water Utilities Association and the Texas Water Conservation Association Risk Management Fund. The objective of every Authority employee is zero lost time; a standard that has been achieved by the Rural Utilities Division for the past nineteen years.
By blending technical expertise, a safe working environment, and facilities maintenance, the Rural Utilities Team has been able to operate a facility that consistently produces high quality effluent necessary to protect the sensitive waters of the Guadalupe River Basin. Joel Heideke is the Division's Chief Operator and supervises the operations of the system. Richard Matheaus, Mike Gerdes and Jason Davidson operate and maintain the plant and perform process control monitoring.
"WEAT is thrilled to recognize Canyon Park Estates and GBRA for their excellent performance," said Carol Batterton, WEAT's executive director.
"We certainly are honored to receive this recognition from WEAT. It validates the hard work that our staff is doing on a daily basis at the plant," said John Smith, GBRA Operations Manager Upper Basin.
The Water Environment Association of Texas is a member association of the Water Environment Federation (WEF). Formerly known as the Texas Water Pollution Control Association (TWPCA), WEAT was founded in 1928 by professionals in the field of water quality as a non-profit, educational organization. Association members have helped lead the way toward existing state and federal clean water programs. Today the association has more than 1,500 members representing diverse backgrounds and specialties, but all of which are involved in protecting and enhancing Texas' precious water resources through sound science and good stewardship.
WEAT members include civil, design, and environmental engineers, biologists, chemists, local and state government officials, treatment plant managers and operators, laboratory technicians, students, professors, lawyers, environmental scientists, and equipment manufacturers and distributors.
Texas Water 2008™ is the largest regional water conference in the United States. It is jointly sponsored by the Water Environment Association of Texas and the Texas Section of the American Water Works Association.
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