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Upgrades to the Star City Wastewater Treatment Plant will provide the area with a more effective wastewater treatment system.
However, there can’t be a new system without staff to manage it. This is especially true given the increasingly sophisticated engineering, scientific and technological processes involved in operating the plant.
“The Morgantown area is fortunate to have such dedicated and professional staff serving its wastewater treatment needs,” said MUB General Manager Tim Ball. “Our staff are the reason that MUB sets the example for wastewater treatment plants.”
The staff are also the reason that the National Association of Clean Water Agencies has again recognized MUB Star City and Cheat Lake wastewater treatment plants. The award, called Platinum Peak Performance, is provided to treatment plants that obtain a record of 100% full compliance for a consecutive five-year period.
According to Ball, this year’s awards are especially meaningful.
“What our wastewater treatment plant staff accomplished is beyond extraordinary. Despite the ongoing upgrades to nearly every part of the plant, our Star City staff never faltered. Even during the extremely intricate transition of bringing new systems online while retiring dated technologies, our staff rose to the occasion and met every challenge,” Ball said. “What they did is akin to replacing the engines of a plane while in flight. It’s truly that extraordinary.”
The same can be said of the Cheat Lake wastewater treatment plant staff. Constructed in the 1970s by a privately owned development group and later improved, the facility is also in need of upgrading.
“Our Cheat Lake staff do an excellent job maintaining and operating the plant,” Ball said. “They work extremely hard at ensuring treatment processes remain at an extremely high level. Managing the plant without a single permit violation speaks volumes of the staff’s competence.”
Then, there is the virus.
“We hear a lot about how first responders brave the threat of COVID-19, and rightfully so. However, our staff are silent heroes. The threat COVID-19 poses to wastewater workers is very real. Yet, our staff remain vigilant in their mission of protecting public health,” Ball said. “They are more than deserving of this recognition. They cannot be thanked enough.”
This year’s award represents 19 consecutive years NACWA has recognized the Star City plant with a Platinum award and 21 consecutive years of Platinum recognition for the Cheat Lake plant.
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