25 Feb OWASA Operators Key to Wastewater Treatment
Treating the community’s wastewater is a job that requires time and attention 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, and OWASA’s team of Mason Farm Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) operators is responsible for making sure the plant is running effectively.
When fully staffed, OWASA employs eight full-time WWTP operators, according to Operations Supervisor Wil Lawson, who is also able to step in as an operator if needed. Currently, OWASA’s operator team includes seasoned members with over 35 years of experience to folks entering the field who are new to the role and eagerly learning from their experienced teammates and bringing in fresh new perspectives. There are four levels of certifications that the WWTP operators strive to achieve through training.
The wastewater treatment and biosolids recycling process is a complicated process that involves a lot of biological and physically engineered systems. The main role of the operator is to monitor these processes on an individual and collective basis and troubleshoot problems when they arise.
The operators are always on-site during any emergency situations brought on by weather or other circumstances. “Our Team of dedicated operators is ready and prepared to respond to any situation to maintain successful plant operations,” Lawson said of the group.
This team of operators serves a crucial role in making sure that OWASA is properly treating the community’s wastewater to ensure we are protecting our downstream environment and producing high-quality biosolids for beneficial use.
You can learn more about our Mason Farm Wastewater Treatment Plant Team in our 2023 Annual Wastewater Report Card.