Bigger isn’t always better, unless you’re the Shades Mountain Water Treatment Plant.This 80 mgd facility in Birmingham, the largest water plant in Alabama, has won numerous awards, including the 2014 Best Operated Plant from the Alabama/Mississippi Section AWWA. The operators’ experience and passion for the job are keys to the plant’s success.“The professionals at Shades Mountain are allergic to average and not satisfied with good,” says Darryl Jones, assistant general manager of operations and technical services. “They are committed to greatness.”Darin Roberson, senior plant superintendent, adds, “In this field you have to be passionate about the job, and our operators
