LEWISTON — Lewiston-Auburn Water Pollution Control Authority Chairman Phil Nadeau recently announced that the organization recently received word from the National Biosolids Partnership in Alexandria, Va., that it has been certified and admitted into the National Biosolids Partnership’s Environmental Management System Program. The organization is only the 30th organization in the nation to achieve this distinction.

Nadeau said that this kind of recognition could only be achieved through the talent, commitment and dedication of the LAWPCA staff and its Superintendent Clayton “Mac” Richardson.

“Many of us work very closely with Mac and his team and know first-hand that they are recognized around the state as leaders in their field,” Nadeau said. “The EMS certification will now bring very deserved statewide recognition to our organization and elevate LAWPCA’s staff and operations to a level that establishes it as one of the finest in the country.”

“This certification is both important and gratifying for the authority and for the entire community,” said Richardson. “For more than 25 years, the authority has worked hard to recycle nutrients to plants as we believe nature intended. Our efforts to keep our biosolids free from harmful contaminants, treat the waste water solids for pathogen control and to meet all legal requirements and best management practices have been a source of great pride for our board members and everyone working for the authority.”

Isaiah Lary, LAWPCA pretreatment inspector/quality control technician, said that there is a great deal of work that needs to be done to create, implement and maintain the systems required by the National Biosolids Partnership and its alliance partners which include the US Environmental Protection Agency, the Water Environment Federation and the National Association of Clean Water Agencies.

“All the work is worth the effort when you realize how it keeps everyone focused on not just doing the best we can but improving our operations whenever we can,” he said.