University Place Plant Receives Award (Again)

Pierce County knows wastewater, and it knows the stuff well.

For the 12th time in 15 years, the Chambers Creek Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant has been recognized by the Washington Department of Ecology for its compliance with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System.

NPDES establishes permit requirements under which all wastewater treatment plants operate. The state's Wastewater Treatment Plant Outstanding Performance Award recognizes agencies that meet high water quality standards in their wastewater discharge.

The Pierce County treatment plant, operated by the Public Works and Utilities Sewer Utility, received its first Ecology award in 1995, the first year the award was offered.

"This is a great honor from an agency that scrutinizes our operation quite closely," said Pierce County Executive Pat McCarthy.

Brian Ziegler, director of Pierce County Public Works and Utilities, agreed. "Our employees are committed to water quality and permit compliance every day. They care about their work and truly earned this achievement."

The award comes as officials preparing for a $305 million expansion to the plant.