125 Washington wastewater treatment facilities and operators recognized for performance

(OLYMPIA)— Washington has more than 300 wastewater treatment facilities, and they all serve an important role in protecting water quality and public health. Every wastewater facility needs certified operators to keep these facilities running smoothly. The Washington Department of Ecology is recognizing 125 wastewater facilities and their operators with the annual Outstanding Performance Awards for their work in 2025, according to a news release from Ecology.

The wastewater operators at each of these facilities achieved compliance with their routine water quality monitoring, reporting requirements, and in meeting water quality permit limits. These awards recognize the day-to-day hard work that wastewater operators perform.

Wastewater treatment facilities are also called wastewater treatment plants. The people who work at those facilities are called operators, they work hard every day to clean the waste out of the water that leaves our industries, businesses, and homes. Their efforts help prevent pollution from entering local waterways and protect the health of communities and the environment.

Operators ensure treated wastewater meets state water quality standards before it is released to rivers, streams, or the Puget Sound. Ecology uses wastewater permits to make sure treatment facilities are properly designed, operated, and maintained to meet limits that protect people from bacteria, viruses, and other harmful pollutants.

Jon Kenning, Ecology’s Water Quality program manager, emphasized the vital services that wastewater treatment plant operators provide for communities.

“Wastewater infrastructure is something that often goes unnoticed. Many of us don’t think about where our water goes or how it gets treated, while wastewater operators think about it every day,” Kenning said. “Their work often goes unseen, but it benefits everyone in the state.”

Every facility is unique in its location and design, but all rely on skilled, certified operators to keep systems running safely, efficiently, and reliably.

Ecology selects wastewater treatment plants for the Outstanding Performance Award based on meeting specific permit conditions, including:

- Regularly meeting numeric effluent limits
- Monitoring water quality, as required
- Submitting reports on time

Award recipients receive a plaque and certificate to show off their excellence and continued commitment to keeping Washington's lakes, rivers, and streams clean.

Ten facilities have received this award 11 or more years in a row, showing long-term excellence including the City of Burlington Wastewater Treatment Plant (13th) and the City of Stanwood Wastewater Treatment Plant (11th).