Nineteen ninety-eight was a banner year for Salt Lake City's Water Reclamation Plant. On December 31, 1998 it concluded 60 months of continuous perfect NPDES permit compliance, earning its fifth Association of Metropolitan Sewage Agency's (AMSA) Gold Award and a Platinum Award. The prestigious Platinum Award was a fitting climax after earlier earning the EPA Region VIII 1998 Operations and Maintenance Award. Yes, quiet a year.

On May24, 1999 at AMSA’s 29th Annual Meeting held in Washington D.C., thirteen member agency facilities were awarded the 1998 Platinum Peak Performance Award. To be eligible, the facilities had to earn five Gold Awards from 1994 - 1998. Jon Adams, facilities manager, accepted the award on behave of Salt Lake City and the plant employees. He noted, "…this is great recognition for the efforts of the employees over the past 5 years. He continued, "The plant is being challenged with increase loading, and operations and maintenance is becoming ever more critical. They [plant personnel] have successfully met the challenge."

The Award winners were:

City of San Diego, Calif.
E.W. Blom Point Loma Metropolitan Wastewater Treatment Plant

North Shore Sanitary District, Ill.
Clavery Road Sewage Treatment Plant

Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission, Md.
Western Branch Wastewater Treatment Plant

Metropolitan Council Environmental Services, Minn.
Seneca Wastewater Treatment Plant

Atlantic County Utilities Authority, N.J.
Atlantic County Utilities Authority

Mountain Pleasant Waterworks, S.C. Rifle Range Wastewater Treatment Facility Trinity River Authority, Texas Central Regional Wastewater System City of Houston, Texas Admeda Sims Wastewater Treatment Plant Southeast Wastewater Treatment Plant Upper Brays Wastewater Treatment Plant City of Austin, Texas Govalle Wastewater Treatment Plant Walnut Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant

Salt Lake City Corporation, Utah
Salt Lake City Water Reclamation Plant

Notwithstanding the recent successes, the future is becoming a concern. Dramatic increases in BOD loading and the end of a 20 year 201 Facilities Plan are drawing attention to Salt Lake City’s future wastewater treatment needs. Monthly average TBOD loadings are reaching as high as 80,000 lbs./day an increase of 45 percent since 1994. Increases in biological treatment capacity constructed during 1993 through 1996 raised the plant’s capacity from 60,000 lbs./day to 96,000 lbs./day. This increase in capacity has allowed the plant to stay ahead of the loading increases, but the next increment of new capacity will require major process changes. Or an earlier start on a new treatment facility near the airport. Moreover, the 1982 201 Facilities and Financial Plans are nearing the end of their 20 year planning period. Sewer rates have been reduced during this period, but its now time to look forward to the next planning period. The City Administration and City Council have been alerted to the fact that rates will have to be raised to finance the Sewer Utilities’ operation, maintenance and capital improvements program.

In 1997 Montgomery Watson completed the Department’s Wastewater Master Plan to determine the sewage collection and treatment needs for the next 25 years. The plan calls for capital expenditures amounting to $130 million over the planning period; and $54.35 million during the next 5-years. Jon Adams is not ready to press the panic button yet, but is becoming concerned. "I think Salt Lake City is going to continue to grow." He exclaims. Continuing he said, "We need to be ready to meet the City’s wastewater collection and treatment needs by sound planning and timely construction of necessary facilities."

Questions regarding this article can be directed to: jon.adams@ci.slc.ut.us