Jan. 17, 2003 -- A Corning, Calif., wastewater treatment facility which treats .283 MGD of industrial wastewater from an olive processing plant has won numerous awards, including several Plant of the Year awards.
This long term O&M relationship has significantly improved environmental compliance of the facility and has received numerous rewards for superior operations, Corning reported.
FACTS
• ECO Resources operates Corning's wastewater treatment facility: 0.895 MGD
• Treats pretreated industrial effluent from Bell-Carter Foods, an olive processing plant: 0.283 MGD
• Facility consists of headworks, screw pump, oxidation ditch, two secondary clarifiers, sludge thickener, chlorine contact chamber and sludge drying beds.
• Population of 6,080 served
• Year partnership was initiated: 1990.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Superior operation of Corning's wastewater treatment system earned an early seven-year contract renewal by unanimous decision of the city council
• ECO Resources facility team instituted an industrial waste-monitoring program on behalf of the city
• Facility and staff earned numerous awards from North Sacramento Valley California Water Environment Association Section, including several Plant-of-the-Year awards, an award for community education efforts, and awards for Operator, Supervisor, Mechanic, and Safety Person of the Year.
"Hiring ECO Resources was one of the best things that the City ever did," commented Tom Russ, Public Works Director for the City of Corning, Calif.
"Because ECO efficiently operates Corning's wastewater system, our staff and Council are alleviated of the burden, freeing us to concentrate on other important matters affecting residents. We know that the ECO staff will keep the system running as smoothly as we would. I consider them an extension of our own city staff."
RESULTS
OPERATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS - ECO funded the design and installation of a larger pump station, inaugurated a preventive maintenance program and began a pretreatment program for reducing grease from stores and restaurants. The company has doubled the sludge handling capacity and taken on stormwater monitoring for both the plant and the city airport.
ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE - Before the ECO contract began, the wastewater plant was under a cease-and-desist order, averaging four violations per month. In the 12 years since 1990, thanks to training and education by ECO employees, there have been a total of only two minor infractions resulting from heavy rains.
LABOR MANAGEMENT - When the contract began in 1990, there were three employees. Today, there are five: one supervisor, one full-time lab tech, and three operators. There have been no lost-time accidents since 1995.
COMMUNITY RELATIONS - ECO gives yearly plant tours to local grade schools on wastewater process and water conservation. The plant is used by engineering classes from California State University at Chico for design and operating classes.
This case study was provided by the Water Partnership Council. To learn more, visit : http://www.waterpartnership.org/.
