City of Gardner, KS
10/04/2022 | News release | Distributed by Public on 10/04/2022 10:58
Gardner wastewater plant earns triple-award winner status
The City of Gardner Kill Creek Water Resource Recovery Facility is a three-time 2022 Kansas Water Environment Association (KWEA) award winner. The wastewater treatment plant's winnings include the KWEA Safety Award, Best Plant in Class 4 Award, and the George W. Burke Facility Safety Award.
The KWEA Safety Award recognizes wastewater treatment facilities with high standards of excellence in safe operations. A questionnaire and an unannounced plant inspection by KWEA Safety Committee members are used to evaluate the facility. The city has won this award multiple times, including in 2021.
The Best Plant in Class 4 Award credits the Kill Creek staff for their high-level process of converting wastewater into effluent that can be reused or returned to the water cycle with minimal environmental impact. The city also won this award in 2018.
Lastly, the George W. Burke Facility Safety Award recognizes the plant for its active and effective safety program and safety record. KWEA also granted this honor to the city in 2019.
"We have an amazing staff working at our Kill Creek Water Resource Recovery Facility who have proven their dedication to providing this vital service to the community," said Utility Director Gonzalo Garcia. "While the plant has won many awards in the past, winning three in one year is exceptional and speaks to the level of excellence in our Wastewater Division.
The Wastewater Division staff includes Plant Superintendent Scott Millholland and plant operators Matthew Solorio, David Birzer, Dale Rittinghouse and Gabriel Johnson.
KWEA is a nonprofit technical and educational organization comprised of engineers, scientists and professionals with the goal of preserving and enhancing the quality of water throughout the state of Kansas. Its mission is to support members, the industry, and the public through education, training, networking and problem-solving in order to improve the Kansas water environment. For more information about KWEA, visit kwea.net.