City recognized for wastewater treatment
By KRISTI PIHL Staff Reporter
For the third year running, the city of Stanwood has received recognition for its wastewater treatment plant from the state Department of Ecology (DOE).
The city has received the annual award ever since it built the new plant.
"I couldn't be prouder," said Stanwood Mayor Dianne White.
The Outstanding Wastewater Treatment Plant Award for 2008 recognizes the plant for being within all the limits in the city's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit, said Kevin Fitzpatrick, section manager of DOE's water quality program. The NPDES permit is administered by DOE and required by the federal Clean Water Act.
"You're batting 1,000 when you are given this award," he said.
It means that the employees at the plant completed thousands of water quality tests during the year, and communicated closely with management concerning any problems and solutions to keep the plant in compli- ance, Fitzpatrick said.
"I fully expect I'll be back here in 2010," he said.
Kevin Hushagen, utility superintendent, Victoria Danielson, wastewater utility treatment operator II, and utility technicians I Randy Richard and Jack Hamlin, are proficient in their operation and care of the plant, said Andy Bullington, city public works director.
"I think it takes a whole team to make this happen," Hushagen said.
In addition to receiving the award, the Stanwood City Council unanimously approved White to carry out all contract documents for the 68th Avenue road extension project.
The project will include curbs, gutters and sidewalks, realigning 68th Avenue NW and 280th Street NW, and extending 68th Avenue NW between Ridgeland Estates and Cedarhome Elementary.
The contractor, PLE, LLC, provided the low bid out of the 17 proposals the city received, Bullington said.
The total cost will be about $636,236, which includes construction, WHPacific, Inc.'s project management/ inspection services, a five-year U.S. Army Corps of Engineers wetland maintenance/ monitoring project and some contingency funds.
The city received $750,000 in federal stimulus funds for the project, Bullington said. Although the original goal was to complete the project prior to the start of school, the city wanted to take advantage of the federal dollars, he said.
"Who could turn away $750,000?" he said.
Construction will be completed by late October. Any remaining money will return to the federal government for use in other projects.
Staff Reporter Kristi Pihl: 629-8066 ext. 125 or kpihl@scnews.com.
