In the News
Lake Stevens Sewer District honored by
Department of Ecology
 Teamwork makes the plant a success
BY PAM STEVENS | EDITOR
The Lake Stevens Journal
Of the 19 staff members and three Commissioners working
for the Lake Stevens Sewer District, not one of them
stands alone. Each looks to everyone else as the reason
their team has been awarded with the honor of
“Outstanding Wastewater Treatment Plant” from the
Department of Ecology for the third year in a row.
“This is very prestigious for my staff,” General Manager
Darwin Smith said. “I am very proud of these guys.”
In a letter sent to Jim Mitchell, President of the Board
of Commissioners, the Department of Ecology
congratulated The Lake Stevens Sewer District for their
performance.
“Of approximately 300 wastewater treatment plants
statewide, yours is one of the 78 that achieved full
compliance with its discharge permit in 2007,” Kelly
Susewind, Interim Water Quality Program Manager for the
Department of Ecology said. “My staff evaluated each
treatment plant for compliance with its effluent limits,
monitoring and reporting requirements, spill prevention
planning, pretreatment, and other regulatory
activities.”
Smith thanked his staff and the staff and council of the
City of Lake Stevens for their efforts in working
together which is a rarity in the State of Washington.
“One thing I’m happy about is the issue of having a
sewer treatment plant become a vehicle to pull the
community together,” Smith said. “Looking back almost 30
years, it is remarkable having a city council and city
staff who have come together. It’s rare statewide, they
all play a part in our success.”
Deputy Manager for Operations, Rick Lewellen, has been
with the Sewer District for 22 years and knows the time
and effort it takes to have an award winning team.
“It is a great honor to be a part of this group of
individuals,” Lewellen said. “I can’t say enough about
the dedication of these people.”
Amy Jankowiak, a Compliance Specialist within the
Department of Ecology presented the award to Jim
Mitchell, who in turn presented to the operations staff.
“It’s really, truly my honor to give this award to all
of you,” Jankowiak said.
The Sewer District’s Board of Commissioners include
President Jim Mitchell, George Wood and Secretary Jack
Hatlen, all of whom have served as a Commissioner for
more than five years.
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Copyright ©2008 Lake Stevens Journal, published
by The Lake Stevens Journal., Lake Stevens, Washington
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