Ellsworth garners operation and maintenance wastewater treatment award Published May 12, 2014 28th Bomb Wing Publica Affairs ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. -- The South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources announced that Ellsworth is the recipient of the 2013 Operation and Maintenance Wastewater Treatment Award. The award, presented during the 2014 South Dakota Water and Wastewater Association Wastewater Operators seminar April 30 to May 1 in Pierre, S.D., is for outstanding operation of the wastewater system and environmental compliance with its state surface water discharge permit during the past year. Kevin Goyer, Project Solutions Inc. program manager for Ellsworth, said he is extremely proud of the team who worked tirelessly to win the award two years in a row. "I think it's great that our people get recognized for the hard work that they accomplish," said Goyer. "It's a great validation to our attention to detail, confidence and compliance to our mission." "Wastewater treatment systems are essential services that we all use every day, but are taken for granted unless there is a malfunction," said Steve Pirner DENR secretary. "These award winners are the certified wastewater operation specialists who went the extra mile last year to ensure there were no malfunctions." Qualifications for the award are based on a system's compliance with state environmental requirements, the quality of the treated and discharged wastewater, monitoring reports, state inspections, and proper operation and maintenance of the wastewater treatment facility.