The State of Vermont Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants and Operators have received a U.S. EPA for a 2011 Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant Excellence Award. The awards, usually given to individual treatment plants, recognize operators for their commitment to improving water quality with outstanding plant operations and maintenance. This time, Vermont's treatment plant personnel statewide were honored for their response to Hurricane Irene, which struck in August 2011.
Irene inflicted widespread damage to public infrastructure. Flood waters inundated and overwhelmed many wastewater treatment plants and collection systems. An EPA news release observed, "The personnel of these municipal wastewater treatment plants did a remarkable job to protect their facilities and to help
