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OPERATOR
<br />RESPONSIBILITIES
<br />By Paul Shreve
<br />CRWA Training Specialist
<br />The year of 2004 has been an interest -
<br />ing,challenging time. Regulations contin-
<br />ue to tighten, the challenge of operating
<br />water and wastewater treatment facilities
<br />continues to become more intense. The
<br />level of commitment necessary to remain
<br />in compliance has been elevated to new
<br />heights. In all of this, where have you, as
<br />an operator, decided to perform? Have
<br />you reached upward, stayed at the same
<br />level, or fallen behind?
<br />Paul I agree with the opinions of many, the
<br />professions of water and wastewater treatment are the most
<br />important in the world. If you look at the developing countries
<br />that do not possess the technology that is ours, you will find
<br />that life expectancy is much shorter, disease rates are much
<br />higher, and infant mortality rates are many times higher than in
<br />the United States and other industrialized nations. One of the
<br />reasons these facts are true is due to the way we treat our water
<br />supplies and dispose of our waste. The opportunity to make a
<br />positive contribution to the town, village, or district that you are
<br />treating water for is incredible. Most operators do not realize the
<br />importance of the profession that they are engaged in as they
<br />begin this career.
<br />As one who travels extensively across the great State of Colo-
<br />rado, I have an opportunity to witness both good and bad. I see
<br />10
<br />and visit with many operators that are extremely committed to
<br />total compliance, with the goal of providing the absolute best
<br />water and wastewater treatment, within their allowed budgets,
<br />that can be produced. It is a pleasure to see this level of commit-
<br />ment and professionalism from these operators.
<br />As an example, the Red Mountain Treatment Facility at
<br />Glenwood Springs, a conventional treatment plant, run by Jerry
<br />Wade and Crew, is clean, well maintained, efficiently operated,
<br />and highly progressive in developing treatment techniques. The
<br />water produced is of exceptional quality. All the operators are
<br />working to achieve the highest levels of licensing available. Most
<br />are already" A" level licensed. They are proactive in maintaining
<br />their licenses by obtaining the necessary "TU's'.'
<br />Example number two, is the Walsenburg facility,a large Micro -
<br />Floc plant, run by, "A "level Iicensed,Joey Pacheco. For all practi-
<br />cal purposes, Joey runs the treatment facility solo. It too is very
<br />clean, and well maintained. The operation is as efficient as can
<br />be achieved, producing great quality water.
<br />Number three,the Colorado City Metropolitan District facility,
<br />a small Micro -Floc plant, run by John VanOort and Craig Kisse.
<br />Another progressive facilitythat is clean,well run,and as efficient
<br />as possible within strict budget limitations.
<br />It would be possible to list several more plants that are "doing
<br />it right''however space is limited. I will try to list other water and
<br />wastewater facilities that are properly run in future issues, and
<br />will try to obtain pictures of those facilities for all to view.
<br />For those operators that think it is not necessary to follow the
<br />rules, I suggest that you take the time to visit these plants and others
<br />that I will mention at later dates. Find out why the operators of these
<br />facilities strive for compliance with such zeal, and incorporate the
<br />learning into your philosophy and attitude and make improvements
<br />in your own facilities. I will not name the facilities that are poorly
<br />operated, lawsuits are too plentiful in this country and those with
<br />poor attitudes are the most likely to follow
<br />I r ' 1 A to
<br />THE FORD METER BOX COMPANY, INC.
<br />P.O. Box 443, Wabash, Indiana 46992 -0443
<br />260 - 563 -3171 - FAX: 800-826-3487
<br />p o http://www.fordmeterbox.com
<br />I. P(111914'
<br />such a course of action. I have heard many
<br />say, "If they would pay me more, I would do
<br />a better job.' It has been proven that this
<br />is not what truly happens. More pay does
<br />not equate to more work or better perfor-
<br />mance. In fact, the opposite is what hap-
<br />pens for those with this attitude. The truth
<br />of the matter is, if you want more money,
<br />become the consummate professional that
<br />you must be. Pay follows performance and
<br />professionalism.
<br />To those who strive to be the best,
<br />THANK YOU, and keep up the good work.
<br />I realize that this profession is one of
<br />quiet heroism, and striving without rec-
<br />ognition and I believe that Robert Inger-
<br />soll summed up those in our profession
<br />well when he said, "It is better to deserve
<br />without receiving,than to receive without
<br />deserving'.'
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