Athens Utilities Board wastewater teams win OPEX awards

The Athens Utilities Board (AUB) has won multiple operational excellence (OPEX) awards as it continues to set the standard for wastewater operations in the region.

At the recent Water Professionals Conference, the Kentucky-Tennessee Water Environment Association (KY-TN WEA) honored AUB’s North Mouse Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant with the Operational Excellence Award for the 29^th consecutive year. Meanwhile, the AUB’s Oostanaula Wastewater Treatment Plant received its 20^th straight award, a significant accomplishment for the larger, more complex facility.

The Operational Excellence Award recognizes facilities for maintaining compliance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit requirements, allowing no more than one violation over a 12-month reporting period.

Consistency and a shared commitment to excellence

“These awards aren’t won by chance. They’re earned through consistency, teamwork and a shared commitment to excellence every single day,” said Jody Derrick, Oostanaula plant supervisor. “What our operators do isn't glamorous, but it's absolutely vital to the health of this community and the environment. They’re planners, problem-solvers and professionals in every sense of the word.”

The North Mouse Creek plant treats up to 1.2 million gallons per day, while the Oostanaula facility handles up to six million gallons daily, with peak capacities reaching 15 million gallons, according to AUB. Beyond the numbers, it’s the team dynamics that truly set AUB’s operators apart, AUB stated.

“Our wastewater operators work like a well-oiled machine,” Derrick continued. “They rotate call duty every weekend and they don’t wait on a problem – they anticipate it. They’re watching the weather, monitoring trends and taking action before issues arise. That kind of foresight is rare.”

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Teamwork is key to OPEX

Mouse Creek supervisor John Sullivan echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the level of trust and responsibility placed in the team. “These guys are some of the most proactive employees we have,” he said. “They aren’t waiting on someone else to tell them what to do. They know what’s expected, they communicate constantly and they work together seamlessly to make sure nothing falls through the cracks.”

Teamwork is everything in wastewater, commented Tillmon Devaney, one of the youngest AUB plant operators. “One person can’t run a plant alone. We depend on each other and we all know what’s at stake – the safety of our waterways and the people who live downstream.”

Wastewater operations often go unnoticed by the public, but they’re critical to public health and environmental protection. AUB’s continued recognition at the state level reflects not only technical expertise but a culture of cooperation and high standards.

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