FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE00-36
August
4, 2000
Contact:
Geoff Ryan
(718/595-6600)
DEP
Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators Sweep First and Second Place
in Statewide Safety and Maintenance Competition
Next
Stop National Finals in California
Commissioner Joel A. Miele Sr, P.E. announced that DEP's Bowery Bay
and Coney Island wastewater treatment plants placed first and second
in the New York Water Environment Association's (NYWEA) 13th annual
Operators Challenge held this year at the NYWEA's annual spring meeting
in Ithaca, New York on (DATE). The Operators' Challenge, is a national
competition developed by the Water Environment Federation (WEF) to
formally recognize the expertise and skills of treatment plant operators
to safely and effectively operate their facilities.. The New York
Water Environment Association is the local chapter of the WEF.
The
Bowery Bay team with Commisioner Miele (seated - l) and Deputy
Commissioner Robert Adamski (seated - r).
Commissioner Miele said, "This is the first time that two of
DEP's teams, the Bowery Bay Bowl Busters and the Coney Island Whitefish
have swept both first and second place in the Operators Challenge
Statewide competition. The Challenge provides our treatment plant
operators and maintenance staff a chance to demonstrate their skills
in events related to their daily tasks and reinforces the high degree
of competence and pride our wastewater treatment workers bring to
the complex round of tasks they perform. The Department is very proud
of their achievements both on the job and in these competitive events.
We look forward to the next plateau as the teams go on to compete
at the National Competition to be held in October at the Water Environment
Federation Technology Conference in Anaheim, California."
The teams are required to compete in five timed events, testing their
skills in pump maintenance and repair; process control; laboratory
procedures; safety and emergency procedures and sewer collections
systems maintenance. The competition also included an oral question
and answer format. First place Bowery Bay team members are Frank Soviero,
John Neske, Chris Laudando, Lisa Betty, and Frank Giovaniello. Coney
Island's team members are George Sullivan; Kevin McCormick, Joseph
Atkins, and Keith Beckmann.
The
Coney Island team with Commisioner Miele (seated - l) and Deputy
Commissioner Adamski (seated - r).
DEP operates 14 water pollution control plants citywide. The plants
treat an average of 1.3 billion gallons of wastewater, and operate
24 hours daily, 7 days a week. DEP's employees at these plants are
a highly specialized group of workers who perform a vital service
that contributes to the health and safety of all New Yorkers.
The WEF is the largest professional organization representing the
wastewater treatment industry. Its membership comprises national and
international wastewater professionals from the public, private and
commercial sectors. The goal of the WEF is the preservation of the
nation's water environment through effective water quality management
and by promoting professional, public training and education programs.