EPA Recognizes Vermont Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators For Excellence

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) New England Office recently awarded four 2023 Regional Wastewater Treatment Awards to Vermont wastewater treatment plant operators to recognize them for their commitment to improving water quality.

The EPA Regional Wastewater Awards Program recognizes personnel in the wastewater field who have provided invaluable public service managing and operating wastewater treatment facilities throughout New England.

"Wastewater treatment is a vital, but often overlooked, part of our world. Most of us don't realize what it takes behind the scenes for wastewater to be treated for pollution control and reuse, in order to protect public health and the environment," said EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash. "It's important for us to highlight those individuals and entities who excel in their work to protect our water quality and our health, and we at EPA congratulate them for their dedication to the environment and to our communities."

2023 EPA Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator of the Year Award
Dan Copp of the Johnson Wastewater Treatment Facility

Mr. Copp, who is the Chief Operator of the Johnson Wastewater Treatment Facility, was recognized for his outstanding work responding to the devastating summer floods of 2023. Mr. Copp was one of only seven individuals across New England to receive this award. The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation was instrumental in Copp's nomination.

The EPA Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator of the Year Award was established to recognize and honor the employees of publicly owned wastewater treatment plants for their commitment to improving water quality with outstanding plant operations and maintenance. Wastewater operators and staff work diligently to protect public health and the environment, often with limited resources.

2023 EPA Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator of the Year Award
Kenneth LaCasse of the Hardwick Wastewater Treatment Facility

Mr. LaCasse, who is the Chief Operator of the Hardwick Wastewater Treatment Facility, was recognized for his outstanding responding to the devastating summer floods of 2023. Mr. LaCasse was one of only seven individuals across New England to receive this award. The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation was instrumental in LaCasse's nomination.

The EPA Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator of the Year Award was established to recognize and honor the employees of publicly owned wastewater treatment plants for their commitment to improving water quality with outstanding plant operations and maintenance. Wastewater operators and staff work diligently to protect public health and the environment, often with limited resources.

2023 EPA Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator of the Year Award
Joseph Gaudiana of the Ludlow Wastewater Treatment Facility

Mr. Gaudiana, who is the Chief Operator of the Ludlow Wastewater Treatment Facility, was recognized for his outstanding work responding to the devastating summer floods of 2023. Mr. Gaudiana was one of only seven individuals across New England to receive this award. The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation was instrumental in Gaudiana's nomination.

The EPA Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator of the Year Award was established to recognize and honor the employees of publicly owned wastewater treatment plants for their commitment to improving water quality with outstanding plant operations and maintenance. Wastewater operators and staff work diligently to protect public health and the environment, often with limited resources.

2023 EPA Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator of the Year Award
Robert Wells of the Middlebury Municipal Wastewater Treatment Facility

Mr. Wells, who is the Wastewater Superintendent of the Middlebury Municipal Wastewater Treatment Facility, was recognized for his outstanding work over the years operating and maintaining the facility. Mr. Wells was one of only seven individuals across New England to receive this award. The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation was instrumental in Wells's nomination.

The EPA Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator of the Year Award was established to recognize and honor the employees of publicly owned wastewater treatment plants for their commitment to improving water quality with outstanding plant operations and maintenance. Wastewater operators and staff work diligently to protect public health and the environment, often with limited resources.