WSSC Water Recognized for Wastewater Excellence

Laurel, Md. – November 1, 2022 – Two leading water industry organizations recognized five of WSSC Water’s water resource recovery facilities (WRRFs - formerly known as wastewater treatment plants) for outstanding performance.  
 
The Water Environment Federation (WEF) awarded WSSC Water’s Seneca WRRF the Project Excellence Award. WEF’s annual Project Excellence Award pays tribute to excellence and innovation in executing projects and programs in the water sector.  
 
WSSC Water’s Seneca WRRF received the award for successfully implementing a new science-based optimization approach using ammonia-based aeration and reduced pumping to effectively remove nitrogen and phosphorus while reducing energy and chemical costs. The successful implementation of this process throughout the entire facility will help WSSC Water decrease its carbon footprint and save approximately $575,000 a year. As WSSC Water looks to expand this process to other facilities, the wastewater industry across the country is considering this innovative treatment approach.  
 
WSSC Water worked with Brown and Caldwell and Northwestern University to implement the innovative treatment approach. More information about the benefits of the project is here. 
 
Additionally, the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) recently presented WSSC Water with its Peak Performance Awards.  
 
NACWA’s Peak Performance Awards are earned by facilities that have demonstrated extraordinary success in complying with their federal permit limits and Clean Water Act standards. WSSC Water received awards in the following categories: 

• Platinum for facilities that have consistently achieved perfect compliance for five or more years. 
• Gold for facilities that achieve 100 percent compliance in a calendar year 

The five WSSC Water facilities that received Peak Performance are: 

• Damascus WRRF – Platinum, 22nd consecutive year  
• Parkway WRRF – Platinum, 16th consecutive year 
• Seneca WRRF – Platinum, 16th consecutive year 
• Hyattstown WRRF – Platinum, 11th consecutive year  
• Western Branch WRRF – Gold, 1st year 

“As the nation celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act, these awards highlight WSSC Water’s commitment to protecting the health of our rivers, streams and the Chesapeake Bay,” said WSSC Water General Manager and CEO Carla A. Reid. “I am extremely proud of the job our plant operators, and staff who work 24/7/365 to ensure we return clean water to our environment.” 
 
About NACWA 
NACWA represents the interests of more than 300 public agencies and organizations that have made the pursuit of scientifically-based, technically sound and cost-effective laws and regulations their objective. NACWA members serve most of the sewered population in the United States and collectively treat and reclaim more than 18 billion gallons of wastewater daily. 
 
About WEF 
The Water Environment Federation (WEF) is a not-for-profit technical and educational organization of 30,000 individual members and 75 affiliated member associations representing water quality professionals worldwide. Since 1928, WEF and its members have protected public health and the environment. As a global water sector leader, our mission is to connect water professionals, enrich the expertise of water professionals, increase awareness of the impact and value of water, and provide a platform for water sector innovation.