By Chris Treadway
West County Times
Article Launched: 08/25/2008 04:44:27 PM PDT

Managing wastewater (everyday sewage to you and me), though hardly glamorous, is an important task that people don't notice unless something goes wrong.

What many people don't realize is that maintaining wastewater operations and keeping potential pollutants from entering the environment can be difficult. That's why the West County Wastewater District is taking pride in earning the Platinum Peak Performance Award from the National Association of Clean Water Agencies.

Platinum is the top award of the association, formerly known as the American Metropolitan Sewerage Agency, given only to districts in complete compliance for five straight years. That means a half-decade without a pollution discharge violation on its record.

"It's pretty significant," said E.J. Shalaby, West County Wastewater District general manager. "It takes one infraction to lose this level of award. We're pretty proud."

The district was established in 1923 and collects and treats sewage for 90,000 customers in San Pablo, northern subdivisions of Richmond, portions of Pinole, El Sobrante, East Richmond Heights, Tara Hills, Rollingwood and Bayview, and other unincorporated areas in West County. It is among 113 agencies nationwide that kept a spotless sewage record and achieved platinum status.

"Since a lot of times you don't have control over a lot of things that come into the wastewater stream, it's a real juggling act," Shalaby said.

Reach Chris Treadway at 510-262-2784 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .