I’ve been involved with wastewater treatment in some way for almost 25 years. My main observation is that it’s an industry filled with incredible people.
I had my first complete treatment plant tour in 1984, as a consultant on a community relations project with the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District. I went with some trepidation to the Jones Island treatment plant, which is down in the city’s industrial valley, not the most appealing part of town.
As I walked into the plant manager’s office I was surprised by the expansive windows that overlooked the property. When I introduced myself, the manager, Frank Munsey, gave a firm handshake and said, “Welcome to our plant. We’re proud of it.”
(Proud of it. Hmmm. At the time it struck me as odd that a sewage plant could inspire pride. But that was then.)
Pride on display
After giving me a brief rundown on the plant, Munsey turned me over to a supervisor, Jeff Potrykus, who took me to all the points of interest, including the area where they processed and dried waste activated sludge (all right, biosolids) to make the nationally known fertilizer, Milorganite.
I remember none of the facts and figures that Potrykus surely shared with me. I do remember, and won’t forget, his attitude. He was an evangelist for his profession. “Do you know how important this plant is?” he asked as we stood overlooking a row of bubbling aeration basins. “If this plant were to fail, there would be a cholera epidemic that could devastate this city.”
At each stop, Potrykus shared factoids and anecdotes that brought the plant to life. At one point, he looked me in the eye, shook his head, and said, “I love this business.”
(Love this business? Sure, why not? By that time, I “got it.”)
Unsung heroes
Since then I have written brochures for a biosolids management company and trade press articles and Web sites for water treatment equipment firms. I’ve toured more treatment plants photographing engine generators in digester-gas-to-energy systems. And I’ve written about onsite wastewater treatment, collection system maintenance, and other topics for COLE Publishing, which brings you this magazine.
Almost without exception, I have met people who are incredibly dedicated and extremely capable, and who get nowhere near the recognition and appreciation they deserve. Now I have the privilege to edit a magazine for those people — for all of you who stand on the front lines of keeping the waterways clean.
Treatment Plant Operator is dedicated to information that helps managers and operators at municipal clean-water plants meet permit obligations, achieve performance excellence, progress in their careers, share information and celebrate accomplishments.
It’s about the tools and technologies, yes, but first and foremost it’s about and for the people in the treatment business.
In other words, it’s your magazine. Our mission is to help you do the best job you can by learning from others in plants just like yours. Of course, that also means you can share your successes, so that others can learn from your example.
Make it your own
So here’s the offer: Tell us what you’re doing that makes you proud. Have you discovered a technology or operating practice that improves plant performance, reduces costs or conserves energy?
What programs do you have to keep the public informed and on your side? Do you take special measures to keep your grounds beautiful or to make your site friendly to wildlife? What have you done lately to make your operations more green?
Have people in your facility earned promotions? Won awards? Reached milestones in years of service? Does a member of your operating team stand out as someone who deserves recognition in the industry? What’s going on in your state or regional operator association or WEF affiliate?
Whatever you’re doing that’s excellent and would interest others in the business, we’d like to hear about it. Send me a note to editor@tpomag.com and I will get back to you promptly. In the meantime, feel free to visit our Web site at www.tpomag.com.
COLE Publishing is honored to serve the wastewater treatment industry. My colleagues and I hope things you learn on these pages help you gain even more satisfaction from your work and give you more reasons to say, “I love this business.”
