Syracuse University’s Chilled Water Plant has been recognized for its performance in protecting local waterways from pollutants discharged into the county sewer system.

The plant, which is part of SU’s Steam Station, received a 2010 Onondaga County Industrial Achievement Award from the Department of Water Environment Protection (WEP) during a brief ceremony recently. This is the 10th time the Chilled Water Plant has received this award, which recognizes 100 percent compliance with the terms and conditions of its Onondaga County Industrial Wastewater Discharge Permit.

“I’m very proud of our staff and all their hard work to maintain our plant’s safe and efficient operations while keeping our wastewater discharges in full compliance,” says Tom Reddinger, SU Steam Station plant manager. “We’re also fortunate to have the help and support from SU’s Environmental Health Office on the reporting end. Protecting the environment is always a top priority for us.”

Along with SU’s Chilled Water Plant, more than a dozen other local businesses also attended the recent ceremony to receive wastewater compliance awards. More than 50 percent of the county’s 65 wastewater discharge permit holders achieved full compliance last year.

“Reducing the impacts of wastewater discharges by local businesses goes hand in hand with the many new green infrastructure projects completed and under way to aid in combined sewer overflow abatement,” says Michael Lannon, acting commissioner, Onondaga County Dept. of Water Environment Protection. “These award recipients serve as a role model on how to achieve environmental excellence.”

The wastewater discharge permit defines the conditions, limitations and requirements of permit holders’ discharges into the county’s sanitary sewer system. A system of periodic reporting, self-monitoring and facility visits by WEP officials ensures that permit holders are complying with the discharge limitations and determines the award recipients each year. This was the 14th year of the Onondaga County Industrial Achievement Awards.

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