HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 217-05City of Palo Alto
City Manager's Report
TO: HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC WORKS
DATE: APRIL 25, 2005 CMR:217:05
SUBJECT: PALO' ALTO REGIONAL WATER QUALITY CONTROL PLANT
HONORED WITH THREE CALIFORNIA WATER ENVIRONMENT
ASSOCIATION STATE AWARDS
This is an informational report and no Council action is required.
DISCUSSION
The Palo Alto Regional Water Quality Control Plant serves the Cities of Palo Alto, Mountain
View Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, East Palo Alto Sanitary District, and Stanford University. The
Plant is situated near the Palo Alto Baylands and has been selected by the California Water
-Environment Association (CWEA), a not-for-profit association of7,700-plus professionals in the
wastewater industry, to receive awards for Plant of the Year (Greater than 20 MGD), Plant
Safety Program of the Year (26-75 employees), and Supervisor of the Year (Howard Yancey).
CWEA has been California's leader in wastewater training and certification since 1927. Every
year CWEA offers hundreds of educational events locally, regionally, and statewide, training
thousands of wastewater professionals annually. CWEA is dedicated to the educational
. development of its members, who are wastewater professionals. CWEA conducts training,
disseminates information, produces training manuals, and tests for competency. The CWEA
awards program serves to recognize outstanding professional achievements within· the
wastewater field, improve the professional status of all personnel working in the wastewater
industry and related fields, and stimulate public awareness of the importance of wastewater
treatment to public health and the water environment.
The CWEA Plant of the Year Award is based on compliance results, innovative practices,
management systems, cost effectiveness and reduction, and other evidence of superior plant
operations. The Palo Alto Regional Water Quality Control Plant (PARWQCP) sets an enviable
standard of excellence for Operations and Maintenance. It has earned recognition for its long-
term commitment to the public and positive contributions to environmental quality. The Plant
has progressively improved its permit compliance record and has had zero violations for all of
2003 and 2004. The Plant negotiated a new National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
(NPDES) permit that became effective November 2003. The new Enterococci Bacteriological
Limit is saving over $100,000 per year in chemical costs. The Plant is leading the way in water
recycling, environmental compliance, and continues to prepare for the next generations through.
its long-terril goals study. This is the fourth State Plant of the Year award bestowed upon the
regional treatment plant.
CMR:217:05 Page 1 of2
The CWEA Safety Program of the Year Award selection process examines the facilities safety
record, incident investigation process, safety -program, safety training, and employee
participation. Specific areas that have made the treatment plant's safety program a leader are:
consistent training during weekly tailgate safety and health topics; automated external
defibrillator (AED) instruction and on-site availability; security video camera system to enhance
EPA's Risk Management Plan; annual City of Palo Alto hazardous communication training;
pulmonary function testing for respirator users; CPR/first aid training; chlorine/sulfur dioxide
emergency response training; hazardous materials technician and incident commander that
involves close participation with the Palo Alto Fire Department; and a job safety analysis
program that identifies and eliminates hazards before they can cause accidents. The Plant has
received this State award five times.
The CWEA Supervisor of the Year Award honors achievements in the wastewater industry that
are evaluated by reviewing the supervisor's summary of experience and duties, ability to plan
and set objectives, problem identification and correction, setting a positive example, personnel
problem solving, safety improvements, communication skills and training. Howard Yancey has
been in the water quality industry for more than twenty-five years and he has been an employee
of the PARWQCP for twenty-two. His dedication is expressed in many of his organizational
contributions such as creating and administering the plant's hearing conservation and respiratory
protection program, PARWQCP website administrator, and numerous improvements to both
-process control and personnel management. Howard is the third recipient of the State Supervisor
of the Y ear Award from the treatment plant.
Bill Miks, Plant Manager, as well as Jannette Huber and Howard Yancey, both Operations
Supervisors, attended CWEA's 77th annual training conference on April 15, 2005 to accept the
awards. Awards are given at the local section level and then advance to state competition.
Winners at the-state level are submitted to the Water EnviroDment Federation for competition at
the national level.
Information about the award winning Palo Alto Regional Water Quality Control Plant and the
California Water Environment Association can be found at:
http://www .cityofpaloalto ,orgl depts/pubworks/watergualityl and http://www .cwea.orgl.
PREPARED BY: Ken Kremesec, Supervisor PARWQCP Operations
DEPARTMENT HEAD: :l'1~~:ci1-_--
GLENN S. ROBERTS
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
CMR:217:05 Page 2 of2 _