Wastewater plant receives top rating

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

— Decatur’s wastewater treatment plant received the highest possible rating after a recent inspection.

The plant was inspected by the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality on June 26 and received a rating of five, on a scale of one to five, with one being the worst possible score and five being the best possible score.

“We’re very proud,” said Decatur Mayor Charles Linam.

The wastewater treatment plant can be inspected as often as every year, according to city utilities director James Boston, but it had not been inspected for two years.

Before the new wastewater treatment plant was completed, Decatur struggled to stay in compliance and often received a low rating. But for the first time, the plant received a perfect score and did not have any problems, Boston said.

Inspectors show upunannounced and do a thorough audit of the wastewater plant’s record keeping and lab numbers. They also do an intensive inspection all of the equipment from one end of the plant to another.

In order to earn a rating of five, a wastewater treatment plant must get all the big things right as well as the minor details, according to Boston.

“A lot of good things have to happen to get a five. It took a lot of hard work from my guys and a little bit of luck,” he said.

News, Pages 7 on 07/04/2012