FWEA Honors Bonita Springs Utilities, Inc.
The Florida Water Environment Association honors BSUBONITA SPRINGS, Fla. (July 9, 2014) – The Florida Water Environment Assocation recognized the Bonita Springs Utilities East Water Reclamation Facility with three statewide awards. BSU was the first-place winner of the Earle B. Phelps Award in the advanced secondary-treatment category. The award recognizes the wastewater-treatment facility that has maintained the highest removal of major pollution-causing constituents from its effluent. BSU also won the first place Small Operating Projects Biosolids Award, which recognizes and promotes the safe management, public acceptance and beneficial use of biosolids. In addition, the FWEA recognized the BSU facility with a Top Ten Safety Award, based on hours worked safely, training and safety programs.
“BSU’s water-reclamation facility is a trendsetter in the utility industry,” said Greg Chomic, who, as immediate past president of FWEA, visited BSU to present the awards during a board meeting. “It is remarkable that one utility was selected for three awards, each determined by a different, independent panel of judges. This is a strong indication of an overall commitment to excellence.”
BSU opened its East Water Reclamation Facility in late 2007 and ended years of hauling sewer sludge when it began producing biosolids pellets. The facility uses advanced membrane-bioreactor technology to recycle wastewater into effluent, which is used for outdoor irrigation, and biosolids pellets that are sold for fertilizer. A system of centrifuges and dryers pulls virtually all the moisture from the wastewater. The resulting biosolids are less costly to haul than sludge and generate income for the utility.
“Our team trains continually and works hard every day to provide reliable service to our member-customers, so it is rewarding to be recognized by our industry peers,” said BSU Executive Director Fred Partin.
The Florida Water Environment Association, founded in 1941, has more than 1,300 members. The organization helps unite Florida’s clean water professionals through education programs, professional development and promotion of sound public policy that protects the environment.
Bonita Springs Utilities is a not-for-profit water and wastewater utility founded by local citizens in 1971. Today, the member-owned utility serves more than 40,000 homes and businesses in a 60-square-mile area. For more information, visit the BSU website at www.BSU.us.
Photo caption:
Florida Water Environment Association representative Greg Chomic (left) presented three statewide awards to Bonita Springs Utilities. Accepting the awards were Electrician/Instrument Technician Scott Becker, Maintenance Technician Jim Davis, Lead Operator Cliff Morris and Director of Operations Andy Koebel, with BSU directors (back row, left to right) Robert Sharkey, John Mathes, Mike Malloy, Bob Bachman, Jim Strecansky, Dave McKee, Hank Hochstetler and Frank Liles.
