ATHENS, Tenn. - The Kentucky-Tennessee Water Environment Association (WEA) has awarded Athens Utilities Board (AUB) the Continued Operational Excellence Award for the operation of the North Mouse Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant.

“For those who don't know, this is a remarkable achievement,” said Eric Newberry, general manager for AUB.

This is the fifth consecutive year that the North Mouse Creek facility has received the highly sought-after award. The annual award is given based on a facility’s demonstrated operational excellence with regard to water quality standards set by the EPA and the State of Tennessee.

For the year 2000, only 20 wastewater treatment plants in the Kentucky-Tennessee region received the award. Many hundreds of plants are in the system. Only Eastman Chemical, in Kingsport, has received the award more consecutive times than AUB.

In the history of the North Mouse Creek plant, no violations of water quality standards have been cited. The standards pertain to water discharged from the plant following treatment. Gene Johnson, chairman of WEA's Operational Excellence Committee, said the achievement was beyond notable. “Anyone who can run a treatment plant for five years and never have a single violation, well, that’s just phenomenal,” he said.

“The plant came on line in 1995. It has received this award every year of it’s operation,” said Jill Davis, AUB’s superintendent for water and wastewater. “Technologically, North Mouse Creek is a great plant. But moreover, we have top-notch operators staffing it,” she said, referring to the reason for such consistent, above standard performance.

Sam Sneed and Tony Brazzell are the plant’s operators. Greg Hayes is responsible for the overall operations of all treatment work for AUB. WEA’s Johnson believes that the credit for operations goes to them. “Without skilled overseers who care about the plant, the environment and their community, no plant would run right, regardless of technology,” he said.

AUB’s Newberry also praised the work of Sneed and Brazzell. “I am extremely pleased with the performance and professionalism of the staff at the North Mouse Creek plant. Their skills and efforts in daily operations are the key to the consistent clean operation at that site,” he said.