Legislature hails leaders of Linden wastewater treatment plant

The Michigan Legislature on Thursday, Sept. 12, recognized leaders of Linden’s wastewater treatment facility during a tribute at the state Capitol to celebrate their role as recipients of the state’s first-ever Premier Utility Management Performance (PUMP) Award.

The PUMP Award is a new honor created by the Michigan Water Environment Association (MWEA) in partnership with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE).

“The PUMP Award represents the Michigan wastewater treatment industry’s pinnacle achievement, and it’s a privilege for me to acknowledge constituents in my district for this special accomplishment,” said state Sen. Ken Horn, R-Frankenmuth, who serves residents in the southern Genesee County community where the facility is located.

“This designation highlights Linden’s Water Resource Recovery Facility for its service excellence in producing clean water, helping to protect the Great Lakes, recovering nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen, generating energy, utilizing green infrastructure and contributing to the sustainability of local communities,” said state Rep. Mike Mueller, R-Linden.

Accepting the PUMP Award at the Capitol presentation were Genesee County Senior Assistant Director of Water and Waste Services Brian Ross, Linden WRRF Plant Superintendent Joseph Perroud, Senior Operations Supervisor Mark Earl and Operations Supervisor Jason Hall.

“We are proud to receive this honor on behalf of our entire organization,” Ross said. “The importance of wastewater treatment and reuse in the field of water resource management is now commonly acknowledged as vital to protecting public health and promoting environmental safety.”

The Linden facility’s team “exemplifies the kind of innovative leadership that strengthens Michigan’s entire water sector by using effective utility management principles to preserve our state’s historic legacy as a pioneer in water resource management,” said MWEA Executive Director Allison Wood.

The inaugural Michigan PUMP Award reflects MWEA’s commitment to create a statewide program that recognizes those wastewater treatment facilities that are taking steps toward becoming Water Resources Utilities of the Future, the national industry’s highest standard.

The MWEA’s PUMP Award partnership with EGLE is an effort to identify, encourage and celebrate excellence in Michigan water and wastewater utility management.

“The PUMP Award symbolizes the start of a new era of stewardship,” said Peter Cavagnaro, MWEA Water Resource Recovery Facility committee chair.

“Michigan faces unprecedented challenges in updating our water infrastructure, and these challenges require new solutions,” Cavagnaro said. “Moving forward, the PUMP Award will be presented annually to water utilities that transform their culture from the traditional inward-facing wastewater treatment plant to an outward-facing water resource recovery facility and leader in the overall resilience of the communities they serve.”

Among the accomplishments that earned the Linden facility praise from MWEA judges was its work in the selection of the Shiawassee River Trail, which stretches 88 miles in Genesee, Oakland, Saginaw and Shiawassee counties, as one of the first state-designated water trails in Michigan approved by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Office of the Great Lakes. A video highlighting the Linden facility’s achievement is viewable here.

A water trail is a designated route on a navigable waterway such as a lake, river, canal or bay that is designed and managed to create a positive outdoor recreation experience for the user. Water trails feature well-developed access points, are often near significant historical, environmental or cultural points of interest and often have nearby amenities like restaurants, hotels and campgrounds.

In addition to today’s legislative tribute, the Linden officials were given a new PUMP Award ceremonial flag that is on display at the plant.

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THE MICHIGAN WATER ENVIRONMENT ASSOCIATION (MWEA), established in 1925, is one of Michigan's oldest organizations. MWEA represents more than 2,000 water quality professionals statewide who are dedicated to preserving, restoring and enhancing Michigan's water resources. MWEA is a member association of the Water Environment Federation, an international organization with more than 34,000 members worldwide.