HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-19-2006 2006 Wastewater Challenge A Success! k5°VT 4
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Office of the Mayor
MEDIA RELEASE
Friday,May 19, 2006
CONTACT: Mikki Dobski, Director of Communications & Special Projects, 235-5855 or
876-1564
Jack Dillon, Director of Environmental Services, 277-8515
Mark Rzepnicki, Wastewater Challenge Vice Chair, 277-8515
2006 Wastewater Challenge A Success!
The City of South Bend Wastewater Treatment Plant hosted fifteen teams of wastewater
treatment professionals for two days of education, training, and fun! The Annual Wastewater
Challenge, which tests teams from across Indiana in five disciplines of wastewater treatment,
concluded last week with the Awards Breakfast, where Fort Wayne Team #2 was awarded the 1st
Place Trophy,with Shelbyville coming in second and South Bend placing third in the overall
competition. In addition, South Bend's Team #1 won the laboratory event and Team 92 tied for
2nd place. The Team Spirit Award was presented to Brownsburg/West Central Conservancy
District for demonstrating the most enthusiasm and teamwork. The Spirit Spade award went to
the Southern Indiana Operators Association's second team (SIOA/20), for showing the most
spirit. The Guardian of Environment award was presented to Gary Merriman, Superintendent of
the Fort Wayne Sewer Department for overcoming the most obstacles to participate in the
Challenge.
The Wastewater Challenge is an annual event that uses hands-on and written experiments
to test wastewater professionals on the skills they have acquired through professional training
and during day-to-day activities. This year's challenge events included lab, collection system,
safety, operation & maintenance, and residuals. As Challenge champions in 2001, 2002, and
2003, South Bend was proud to host this year's tournament. The winning team will now
represent Indiana in the national competition at the annual Water Environment Federation
Conference, in Dallas, Texas.
Jack Dillon,Director of Environmental Services stated, "I am extremely proud of the
efforts put forth by all of the South Bend Wastewater Staff in preparing for,hosting and
participating in the 2006 Indiana Water Environment Association Wastewater Challenge.
About 100 competitors,judges and dignitaries visited our City for the two day event and
they all spoke positively of our facility and hospitality. Our teams performed very well
indicating that not only do we look good,we are also made of the right stuff. I could not
be happier with the outcome". Brent Barber, President of the Indiana Water Environment
Association (IWEA) declared, "this was the best challenge I have ever attended."
"The Wastewater Challenge is one tool that South Bend is using to help build a Clean
City, through a commitment to excellence and environmental stewardship. Our goal is to
provide the cleanest river, best services, and best training anywhere," said Mayor Luecke. "The
Challenge helps to raise standards in wastewater treatment by educating participants in advances
in the field, and by upholding the importance of excellence in all areas of the wastewater
process." This year's theme was "Protecting Our Liquid Gold,"the precious resource of the St.
Joseph River. Mark Rzepnicki, Safety Coordinator and Vice Chair of the event said "The City of
South Bend and the South Bend Wastewater staff were honored to host the 2006 Annual
Wastewater Challenge".
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