HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-07-07 City Council (12)City of Palo Alto
City Manager’s Report
TO:
FROM:
HONORABLE CITY CO~TNCIL
CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC WORKS
DATE:JUNE 7, 1999 CMR:268:99
SUBJECT:"PLANT OF THE YEAR" STATE AWARD PRESENTED BY THE
CALIFORNIA WATER ENVIRONMENT ASSOCIATION TO THE
PALO ALTO REGIONAL WATER QUALITY CONTROL PLANT
This is an information report and no Council action is required.
DISCUSSION
On April 30, 1999, the Califomia Water Environment Association (CWEA) presented the
1998 "Plant of the Year" State award to the Palo Alto RegionalWater Quality Control Plant
(RWQCP) at the CWEA annual conference. The RWQCP was selected, among all
wastewater treatment plants larger than 10 million gallons per day capacity in the State of
California, for its accomplishments in compliance, innovative practices, cost effectiveness,
and other evidence of superior plant operations.
The RWQCP is an advanced waste treatment plant that incinerates the sewage sludge. The
RWQCP promotes the beneficial reuse of its incinerator ash for the manufacture of paving
stones for driveways, walkways, and landscape. "Sewage Sludge to Driveway Pavingstones"
was highlighted .in innovative practices, cost effectiveness, and recycling. During the past
year, Pacific Interlock Pavingstone Inc. has recycled Palo Alto’s ash into decorative paving
stones for driveways, patios and walks. The use of the ash in the paving stones is a "win-
win" scenario. The no cost contract allows Pacific Interlock Pavingstone to use up to 500
tons of ash a year in their production of the pavingstones. Pacific Interlock uses the ash as
a filler and substitution of over 20 percent of the cement required in the production of the
Pavingstones. This recycling of Palo Alto’s incinerator ash further promotes Palo Alto’s
environmental commitment and recycling programs.
The press release, issued on May 18, 1999 and attached to ~his report, contains the details of
the award.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: May 18, 1999 Press Release
CMR:268:99 Page 1 of 2
PREPARED BY: Bill Miks, Manager RWQCP
DEPARTMENT HEAD: /~ f. ~~~
GLENN S. ROBERTS
Director of Public Works
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
E1VIIL~HAR~-~BN
Assist::~nt City Manager
CMR:268:99 Page 2 of 2
ATTACHMENT A
May 18, 1999
For Immediate Release
Contact: William D. Miks
Mgr, Water Quality Control Plant
6501329-2598
Regional Water Quality Control Plant Named ’Plant of the Year’
Also Receives Major Safety Award
Palo Alto -- The City of Palo Alto Regional Water Quality Control Plant was presented
two major awards at the annual conference of the California Water Environment
Association (CWEA) in Ontario, California, on April 30, 1999.
The Regional Plant received the 1998 CWEA State Award for Plant of the Year. The
plant was also given the-George W. Burke, Jr. Facility Safety Award.
"Plant of the Year’ Award
The ’Plant of the Year’ is awarded for accomplishments in compliance, innovative
practices, cost effectiveness and other evidence of superior plant operations.
The Regional Plant was first among seven finalist plants treating greater than 10 million
gallons per day (>10MGD): City of Roseville, City of Stockton, County Sanitation
Districts of Los Angeles County-Joint Water Pollution Control Plant, Irvine Ranch Water
(more)
District-Michelson Water Reclamation Plant, Palo Alto Regional Water Quality Control
Plant, Union sanitary District and Vallejo Sanitation & Flood Control District.
The rating categories include: Facility accomplishments, Permit Compliance,
Maintenance innovations, Financial condition, Safety Program Compliance, Staff
Professional Development, Pretreatment strategy, Biosolids processing and disposal,
Laboratory support, Energy conservation, Inventory control, Maintenance strategy,
Analyzing trends, Cost efficiency, Removal efficiency, Operational strategy,
Communications and Responsibility.
The particular aspects of the City of Palo Alto Regional Water Quality Control Plant
were highlighted as follows:
Ash Recycling Program - promotes the reuse of Incinerator ash by offering it to a
pavingstone supplier to manufacture bricks and pavingstones for use in constructing
driveways, walkways, landscaping, etc.
Job Safety Analysis Program Implementation
Permit Compliance and Quality Effluent - The Plant excels in these areas
maintaining an extremely high rating in these categories.
Sand Bed Bio-Filters - new innovative equipment replaced chemical odor scrubbers
Cost-effective Operation - The Plant continues to operate at an efficient and cost
effective rate.
Pretreatment and Source Control Program - The Palo Alto Source Control Program
has been nationally recognized for its relentless approach to the preservation of the
environment by meticulously administering the rules and regulations to the
industries it oversees.
Internet Web-site - provides a basic overview of the working operations and
functions of the plant and its personnel. Offers information on plant tours and public
outreach programs. (http://www.parwqcp.org)
George W. Burke, Jr. Facility Safety Award
The City of Palo Alto Regional Water Quality Control Plant also received the 1998
George W. Burke, Jr. Facility Safety Award from the Water Environment Federati(~n.
The purp~s~ of the George W. Burke, Jr. Award is to encourage an active and effective
safety program in municipal and industrial wastewater facilities,
In 1997, the City of Palo Alto Regional Water Quality Control Plant received the
California Environment Association State Award for Plant Safety for a medium-sized
plant consisti.ng of 26-100 employees. The documented and illustrated safety program
and safety record of the facility for the preceding calendar year are the primary criteria
for the George W. Burke, Jr. Award. Among the plant contenders for this award, the
City of Palo Alto Regional Water Quality Control Plant was the highest rated facility
within the State and was nominated for the 1998 George W. Burke, Jr. Award. ¯
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