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EPA sees improvements in CUC water, wastewater operations
The resulting improvements in the Commonwealth Utilities Corp.’s water and wastewater operations have been significant, according to U.S. Environmental Protection inspector John Tinger.
In his declaration attached to the U.S. government’s July 29 report filed in federal court, Tinger said that stipulated order 1 requires CUC to hire eight key managers that meet minimum qualifications for the utility’s water, wastewater and oil management operations.
Tinger has been designated as EPA’s project coordinator under stipulated order 1, which the federal court entered in March 2009.
Stipulated order 1 focuses on drinking water and wastewater issues such as requiring CUC to provide safe drinking water to residents on a 24-hour basis, maintain adequate chlorine supplies, safely treat and discharge wastewater, and develop long-term capital improvement and financial plans.
Tinger disclosed that EPA had required CUC to conduct broad, national solicitations for these key positions and vetted applicant pools to ensure candidates meet the minimum qualifications.
“As a result, CUC has been able to hire managers and engineers who have the qualifications and experience necessary to run the utility operations,” he said.
Tinger said that maintaining these qualified managers and promptly filling vacancies with qualified candidates is a top priority.
He said CUC currently has two vacancies in key management positions and a number of unfilled certified drinking water operator positions.
