WWTP Plant Open Its Doors To Raise Public Support

The average ratepayer has little idea what goes on after their toilet flushes or their water goes down the drain. While most treatment operators are OK with serving behind the scenes, a Vermont plant is pulling back the curtain, hoping that more transparency will lead to increased support for future funding initiatives.

According to Vermont NPR (VPR), the Essex Junction wastewater treatment plant has begun offering open houses, coining them “Water Quality Days” and even serving up burgers to those who stop by.

The open house includes an extensive tour of the plant’s settling tanks, aeration chamber, filtration system, disinfection technology, and anaerobic digester.

Public outreach and education are important so that taxpayers and water system customers better understand the investments communities may need to make, said Vermont Environmental Conservation Commissioner Alyssa Schuren, according to VPR.

“What Essex is doing is wonderful, and the good news is that many wastewater treatment facilities are actually opening up their doors,” said Schuren. “When infrastructure needs arise or investments are needed, they have more knowledge and trust to make those investments.”

The tours are also attracting the attention of public officials.

At that last tour, Elaine Sopchak, the vice president of the Essex Junction Board of Trustees, said she left with a new understanding of the wastewater system. The Essex Junction Board of Trustees is one of the government bodies that must sign off on many funding proposals for wastewater improvement projects.

“I feel like I have a certificate in wastewater treatment at the moment,” said Sopchak after the tour, reports VPR. “This has been an outstanding presentation.”

Right now funding support is greatly needed for the Essex Junction WWTP.

Costs are increasing as more and more stringent water quality standards are rolled out as a result of the state’s efforts to reduce pollution by phosphorus and other nutrients.

Community members should know where their tax dollars are going, said Essex Junction Water Quality Superintendent Jim Jutras.

“It’s a hidden thing. It’s usually the biggest investment a community has,” said Jutras according to VPR.

Often, the only time ratepayers think about wastewater treatment is when something goes wrong.

But with more than 30 miles of sewage collection and more than 25 miles of storm water pipes, each day of effective wastewater transport, treatment, and release is a success for the Essex Junction WWTP.

The Essex Junction open house, and similar events elsewhere in the state this summer, are designed to bring those successes out of the shadows.

“I applaud them for inviting the public in and trying to build those bridges,” Schuren said according to VPN.