EPA Honors New England Wastewater Facilities with 2025 Regional Awards
EPA Honors New England Wastewater Facilities with 2025 Regional Awards
What Happened
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency presented its 2025 Regional Wastewater Treatment Awards to seven facilities and professionals across New England. The program, now in its fourth decade, recognizes outstanding contributions to water quality protection and environmental stewardship in the region.
EPA Regional Administrator Mark Sanborn said: "Strong wastewater systems are essential to protecting human health, supporting economic growth, and keeping New England's rivers, lakes and coastal waters clean."
Who Was Recognized
Operation and Maintenance Excellence
Rockland Pollution Control Facility in Rockland, Maine was honored for exceptional performance and sustained infrastructure investment that keeps the facility running at a high level year after year.
Operators of the Year
- Nick Thompson, Assistant Superintendent, Warwick Sewer Authority (Rhode Island)
- Walt Arsenault, Shelburne Wastewater Treatment Facility (Vermont)
- Edward Abel, Superintendent, Derby Water Pollution Control Facility (Connecticut)
Each operator was recognized for leadership in compliance, operations, staff development, and long-term dedication to their communities.
Trainer of the Year
Elijah Lemieux of the Vermont Rural Water Association received the Charles Conway Award for his contributions to operator education, including math instruction and exam preparation that help new operators earn their certifications.
Industrial Pretreatment Programs of the Year
The City of Northampton and Town of Westborough in Massachusetts were commended for strong industrial user oversight through effective permitting, inspection, and enforcement programs.
Why It Matters for Chemical Suppliers
Wastewater treatment is one of the largest end markets for industrial chemicals in the United States. Facilities like those recognized by the EPA rely on a steady supply of treatment chemicals including sodium hypochlorite, sulfuric acid, caustic soda, and polymer flocculants to meet discharge permit requirements.
Awards like these highlight the facilities and operators who set the standard for compliance and operational excellence. For chemical distributors, understanding what top-performing facilities look like helps inform how we support the industry with the right products, documentation, and technical guidance.
Key Takeaways
- EPA Region 1 covers Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont
- The awards program has been running for over 40 years
- Industrial pretreatment programs were specifically recognized — a reminder that upstream chemical handling directly affects downstream water quality
- Operator training and certification remain critical to facility performance
Alliance's Take
Water treatment is in Alliance Chemical's DNA. We supply water treatment chemicals to municipal facilities, cooling towers, and industrial operations across the country — and we understand that compliance isn't optional in this industry.
What stands out about this year's awards is the emphasis on industrial pretreatment. The facilities in Northampton and Westborough earned recognition specifically for how they manage chemical discharges from industrial users. That's a space where having reliable, well-documented chemical supplies matters enormously.
Every order from Alliance Chemical ships with a Certificate of Analysis (COA) and Safety Data Sheet (SDS), because when your facility is being evaluated by the EPA, documentation is as important as the chemistry itself. If you operate a water treatment facility or supply chemicals to one, our team can help you find the right products for your treatment processes.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the EPA Regional Wastewater Treatment Awards?
The EPA Regional Wastewater Treatment Awards recognize outstanding contributions to water quality protection and environmental stewardship across New England. For over four decades, this program has honored facilities and professionals for excellence in operation, maintenance, and industrial pretreatment, ensuring that regional water systems protect human health and support economic growth.
Which New England facilities were recognized for industrial pretreatment in 2025?
The City of Northampton and the Town of Westborough in Massachusetts received honors for their Industrial Pretreatment Programs. These awards highlight their effective oversight of industrial users through rigorous permitting, inspection, and enforcement. Such programs are critical for managing chemical discharges and ensuring upstream handling does not negatively impact downstream water quality.
What types of chemicals are essential for high-performing wastewater treatment facilities?
Top-performing wastewater facilities rely on a consistent supply of industrial chemicals to meet strict discharge permit requirements. Essential products include sodium hypochlorite for disinfection, sulfuric acid and caustic soda for pH adjustment, and polymer flocculants for solids removal. Maintaining high standards of documentation, such as Certificates of Analysis, is vital for regulatory compliance.
Who were the individual award winners for wastewater operations in EPA Region 1?
Individual honors were awarded to Nick Thompson of Rhode Island, Walt Arsenault of Vermont, and Edward Abel of Connecticut for leadership in compliance and operations. Additionally, Elijah Lemieux of the Vermont Rural Water Association received the Trainer of the Year award for his dedication to operator education and certification preparation.
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