Peninsula: Three wastewater plants earn perfect grades

The wastewater-treatment plants in Forks, Sequim and Port Townsend are among 25 such facilities in Washington that are 100 percent in compliance with their state wastewater-discharge permits for 2000.

This means that the three plants, which treat sewage from homes and waste from industries 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, met every environmental compliance test and took every sample, according to state Department of Ecology requirements.

Ecology evaluated all of the state’s 300 municipal wastewater-treatment plants.

“This is an incredible accomplishment,” Ecology Director Tom Fitzsimmons said. “My sincere praise goes out to all of the plant operators and communities who are No. 1 in protecting the quality of our state’s waters.”

Effluent from wastewater-treatment plants is discharged into offshore waters or spread on the land, so it’s important that environmental regulations are followed so public health and the environment are protected, said Fitzsimmons.