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Municipally owned wastewater treatment facilities in the State of Florida may obtain on-site training for wastewater treatment plant operators through the Operator Outreach Training Program. This training is provided at no cost to the municipality. Approximately 10 facilities are selected each year for this service. For additional information please read details below then contact Bill Engel, tel: (352) 392-9570 ext. 210.
The University of Florida's Center for Research, Training and Education for Environmental Occupations (UF/TREEO) has been providing technical assistance and on-site operator training to publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) since 1984. The "Operator Outreach Training Program" is funded by section 104 (g) (1) of the Clean Water Act and administered by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
The targeted recipients of the program are small to medium sized POTWs who have a history of facility regulatory non-compliance. The UF/TREEO trainer works with the facility operators, municipality government and state/federal regulatory personnel to help the facility reduce or eliminate non-compliance. The assistance and training provided is in depth. The time a system receives help from the program is from a year to three years depending on the complexity of the problems and training.
The program itself is multi-faceted. The elements of the program include;
The success of the program is measured in facility compliance improvement, improved facility performance and improved operator awareness and training. Recent high points of the program include:
In the past few years the program has provided training and extensive on-site technical assistance to the Town of Hastings, Town of Welaka, Town of Waldo, City of Green Cove Springs, City of Chiefland, Town of Trenton, Florida State Hospital, Town of Mayo, City of Dunnellon, City of Cross City, Cedar Key Special Water and Sewerage District, City of Groveland, Marion County Utilities, Putnam Correctional Institution, City of Milton, City of Newberry, City of Williston, Town of Greenville, Suwannee Water and Sewerage District, Town of White Springs, City of MacClenny, Levy County Board of Commissioners, Putnam County Utilities , Town of Hilliard, City of Alachua, City of Crescent City, City of Atlantic Beach, Town of Callahan and the City of Plant City. The annual funding for the "Operator Outreach Training Program" from the Clean Water Act section 104 (g) (1) is approximately $45,000 per year. The base engineering value for services provided to the above-mentioned facilities is well over $300,000.
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