FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE06-26
May
9, 2006
Contact:
Charles G. Sturcken
(718) 595-6600
DEP
Wastewater Treatment Operators Compete In Operators Challenge
"The
Olympics of Sewage Treatment"
Commissioner Emily Lloyd kicked off the 19th annual
Operators Challenge this morning at the Jamaica Wastewater Treatment
Plant in Queens. The Operators Challenge, often called “The
Olympics of Sewage Treatment,” is a national
competition developed by the Water Environment Federation (WEF)
to formally recognize the expertise and skills of wastewater treatment
plant operators as they safely and effectively operate their facilities. The
New York Water Environment Association – the local chapter
of the WEF – is sponsoring the event along with DEP.
Commissioner Lloyd said, “DEP’s 14 wastewater
treatment plants operate 24 hours a day, treating approximately
1.3 billion gallons of raw sewage. This competition gives
our treatment plant operators and maintenance staff a chance to
demonstrate their skills as well as the high degree of competence
and pride they bring to the complex round of tasks they perform. At
the same time, it gives them an opportunity to obtain recognition
for the special services they provide to maintain New York City’s
health and safety. We at DEP are proud to highlight their
achievement,” continued Commissioner Lloyd, “and we
appreciate this opportunity to participate in this nationwide competition.”
The Challenge requires teams of four sewage treatment
workers to compete in five timed events: safety and emergency
procedures, pump maintenance and repair, laboratory procedures,
process control, and sewer collection systems maintenance. The
competition also includes an oral question and answer session. The
two highest scoring teams will go on to compete in the Statewide
Competition on June 5 during the 2006 joint meeting of the New
England Water Environment Association and the New York Water Environment
Association meeting in Groton, Connecticut. From there winners
at the State contest will compete in the Nationals to be held in
Dallas, Texas in October during the annual WEF Technical Exhibition
Conference.
Four teams will vie for the chance to compete in the State competition
in June. Two teams from the Bowery Bay Plant in Queens, the Bowery
Bay “Bang Ins” and the Bowery Bay “Boys” will
face off against their borough competitors, the Tallman Island “Trackers,” and
the Jamaica “Jesters.”
The WEF is the largest professional organization
representing the wastewater treatment industry. Its membership
comprises national and international wastewater professionals from
the public, private and commercial sectors. The goal of the
WEF is the preservation of the nation’s water environment
through effective water quality management and by promoting professional,
public training and education programs.