January 20, 2006

DEQ Director Steven E. Chester today congratulated the Ishpeming Area Wastewater Treatment Authority in Marquette County and Allendale Charter Township in Ottawa County for outstanding operation and maintenance activities at their wastewater treatment plants (WWTP). Ishpeming and Allendale placed first and second, respectively, in the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 5, Clean Water Act Recognition Award based on innovative, outstanding, and unique practices of operation and maintenance of facilities of similar design capacity and treatment level. Both communities were nominated for the award by the DEQ.

"The DEQ was pleased to nominate both of these wastewater treatment plants for the recognition award," said Steven E. Chester, DEQ Director. "Their dedication to protecting the environment and their citizens is an example for all Michigan communities to follow."

The Ishpeming Area WWTP improved the discharge quality resulting in measured improvements in water quality of nearby Deer Lake while tightening the budget to pre-1991 levels. Additionally, the facility worked with the community to lower the levels of mercury sent to the WWTP. Ishpeming is the first community in the Upper Peninsula whose dentist offices have installed separators to prevent 95 percent of the mercury from entering the waste system.

Allendale Charter Township developed a safe and cost-effective disinfection scheme, increased the efficiency of systems in the plant, and instituted a monitoring method to better manage pipe repairs and replacements. They also worked closely with a major industrial facility to find effective and economically feasible ways to treat its wastewater before sending it to the WWTP.

State and federal regulations require municipal WWTPs to comply with the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System to eliminate discharges of pollutants into navigable waters, and in the interim to achieve water quality standards to protect aquatic life and recreation. Michigan’s water quality standards strive to protect other uses of the receiving waters, including agriculture, public and industrial water supply, and navigation. Information about NPDES permits is located on the DEQ's Web site at http://www.michigan.gov/deqwater.

Editor’s note: DEQ news releases are available on the department’s Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

“Protecting Michigan’s Environment, Ensuring Michigan’s Future”

Revised January 20, 2006 by Pat Watson