MORGANTOWN — The Morgantown Utility Board’s Star City wastewater treatment plant has now been recognized as a Platinum Award recipient by the National Association of Clean Water Agencies for 22 consecutive years.
Pretty impressive.
Almost as impressive as its little sister facility at Cheat Lake, which recently collected its 24th consecutive Platinum ranking.
The award signifies perfect performance in meeting all permitting requirements for the year.
MUB Director of Communications Chris Dale called the dueling violation-free streaks “astonishing” particularly in light of the comprehensive, years-long upgrade project recently completed on the Star City plant and the fact that the Cheat Lake facility is operating very near capacity.
The utility’s board of directors recognized the achievements during Tuesday’s regular meeting.
“We know that we have wonderful, accomplished, capable people, but we love it when we can tell everyone and show them that you’ve been recognized,” MUB Chair Barbara Parsons said. “Thank you very much for the work you do – for the quality of work you do.”
As for action items, the board authorized the formal consolidation of the Cheat View Public Service District into MUB’s water system.
MUB began pursuing the consolidation at the PSD’s request in May, shortly after the death of Glenn Staddon, who served as the Cheat View PSD chairman for 38 years.
MUB General Manager Mike McNulty said the operations and maintenance agreement between the two parties as well as the consolidation plan have received a favorable review from West Virginia Public Service Commission staff.
Tim Stranko, general counsel for the public service district, addressed the board.
He called Staddon a “dedicated public servant” who cannot be replaced.
“Quite simply, the leadership and the staff of the public service district is not able to continue to deliver the quality of service these customers deserve,” Stranko said. “They look forward to your taking the PSD over and keeping the rates to the cost of service to provide it. We think the rates are adequate right now. We hope you agree, but the district is willing to discuss your analysis and we look forward to whatever financial terms you proffer.”
Cheat View PSD has 4,375 water customers, some 90% of whom are already MUB wastewater customers.
In other news, the collaborative effort between the city of Morgantown, MUB and various other agencies to bring recreation to the new Flegal Dam and Reservoir site continues.
And while public recreational access of the site may still be some time off, MUB member and Morgantown City Councilor Dave Harshbarger said the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources is ready to start stocking the 370-million-gallon reservoir.
“The DNR said they would like to start with bait fish this fall – bluegill and fathead minnow — to get that established so that they’re spawning in the spring of next year, and then go with larger fish as that population gets established,” he said.
An on-site recreation planning meeting is slated for Wednesday, including representatives from MUB, the city, BOPARC, the DNR and others.
