City waste water treatment staff receives award

Two staff members for the city’s Public Works Department reported to Historic City News that two staff members were recently recognized for the department’s pioneering work in the treatment of waste water. Martha Graham, Director of Public Works, and Glabra Skipp, Environmental Compliance Analyst, were recipients of the Gascoigne Waste Water Treatment Plant Operational Improvement Medal.

The award was presented during the Water Environment Federation Conference held in New Orleans, Louisiana late last month. The Gascoigne medal is awarded to author(s) of an article which presents the solution of an important and complicated operational problem within a full-scale, appropriately staffed operating waste water treatment plant.

The winning paper was submitted by Graham and Skipp and titled “A Different Disinfectant”, which documented the problems, procedures, and findings associated with using Peracetic Acid (PAA) disinfectant as an alternative to Chlorine. The award winning article was published in the May 2013 issue of Water Environment Federation Journal.

Though the per unit cost of Peracetic Acid is greater than that of Chlorine, PAA is more effective than chlorine needing less chemical to destroy pathogens resulting in overall reduction in chemical costs at the city’s waste water treatment plant. In addition to its cost benefit, Peracetic Acid does not form disinfection byproducts (trihalomethanes) resulting in a benefit to marine life. The city’s use of the process has gained the attention of other waste water treatment operations, many of whom toured the city’s facilities and received briefings on the process from Skipp.

With over 22,000 delegates represented at conference, Graham and Skipp were among five award recipients in the Published Paper category from the prestigious professional association. The Gascoigne Waste Water Treatment Plant Operational Improvement Medal was established in recognition of a prominent consultant who exhibited a great deal of interest in the operation of waste water treatment plants.