As a public service, I am today writing to dispel some unfortunate rumors.
First, stand by while I tuck my tongue in my cheek. Meaning, I’ve being cynical here.
Federal and State Regulators do not routinely bring loaded firearms into meetings to “negotiate” consent agreements with municipal wastewater utilities. To think so is absurd. Let me explain…
Municipal wastewater administrators are very aware of federal budget problems and, like all red blooded Americans, wish to reduce deficit spending. In the spirit of governmental transparency and political bipartisanship, municipalities are happy to take on additional financial obligations.
Enlightened municipal officials – that includes treatment plant supervisors, staff, and all involved in wastewater treatment – actively pursue opportunities to spend tens of millions of dollars to, for example, reduce effluent phosphorus from 0.2 mg/L to 0.1 mg/L. The “consent agreement” format gives us a venue for doing so.
Conspiracy theories notwithstanding, the following series of facts have no relationship to one another.
Consent agreements typically require municipalities to hire engineers to design solutions to permit compliance issues. Design engineers usually receive 15-20% of total project costs. The vast majority of municipal wastewater treatment plants are custom designed. Project costs average in the millions, maybe tens of millions of dollars.
It is a total coincidence that the vast majority of non-municipal wastewater treatment facilities are pre-engineered, package plants, and that these treatment plants cost far less than custom built designs.
As promoted by the Water Environment Federation’s Water is Life and Infrastructure Makes it HappenTM campaign, equipment, not wastewater treatment plant staff, make the difference. You and I are less important to effective wastewater treatment than are equipment manufacturers, engineers, and regulatory personnel. It is they, not us, that “make it happen.” Go to the Water Environment Federation (your organization) web site to learn the “truth.”
Finally, and I’m removing tongue from cheek for this one, the 15,000 people best suited to decide what is best for the municipal wastewater treatment plants in this country are the superintendents of America’s 15,000 municipal wastewater treatment plants. You have the right – I say the obligation – to direct those of us who work for you.
As much as I’d like to convince you (and me) that I’m uniquely able to put your municipality’s needs above those of me and my company. Fact is, I do think I’m unique. But, really, not so… Don’t let the hired help tell you what is good for you when you know better than us. But do let us help you get there.
Thanks for reading.
Grant