WILTON – A super resourceful water superintendent has been awarded recognition by the state’s Department of Environmental Protection.
The DEP’s award for “outstanding commitment to protecting and improving water quality” went to the Town of Wilton’s wastewater treatment facility’s superintendent Russ Mathers.
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Mathers, a 21-year veteran of the facility who also operates Wilton’s drinking water plant, said he was “surprised to get an award” and immediately credited any success to his crew of Clayton Putnam, Dale Welch and Cliff LeHigh.
Beth DeHaas, a wastewater compliant inspector at DEP nominated Mathers for the award. She said that she had inspected the town’s plant for six years and had “been impressed by Russ’ knowledge, resourcefulness and commitment.”
“He and his crew put in long hours to assure the plant operates efficiently and effectively to minimize any impact on Wilson stream and to keep costs for his customers down,” she said.
With the award, Mathers was cited for “an outstanding ability to operate and maintain the facility even under very challenging conditions.” Those challenging conditions included the shaft of one of the rotating biological contactors (RBCs) designed to provide extensive air/water surface contact to remove pollutants, breaking in 2003. A few weeks later, the shaft on the lag RBC in the same series also broke.
Somehow Mathers and his crew continued to operate the facility while researching replacement options and ultimately “chose a replacement system substantially more efficient and effective in treating the wastewater.” In addition, the replacement system was paid for without having to take out a loan and was paid outright with money saved by the department.
Besides his work at the water facilities, Mathers conducted a survey to monitor water quality on Wilson Stream. In his surveys, he found “numerous illegal discharge pipes then followed up with action to assure those discharge pipes were removed and the housing connected to the Wilton collection system.”
He also collected samples from local swimming areas and assisted the DEP with water surveys on Wilson Stream and the Sandy River to help ensure water safety.
“Russ has done a great job for the Town of Wilton,” said Town Manager Rhonda Irish. “I don’t think people realize how much money he has saved the town; how resourceful he is to keep things running so smoothly.”
Irish added that she’s “been a fan” of Mathers for 20 years after she first toured Wilton’s water facilities with teachers when she worked at the Franklin County Soil & Water Conservation District.
Mathers said the next challenge will be in the upgrades needed for the 31-year-old treatment facility. It’s a system that normally has a life span of about 21 years and is working fine now but he is applying for grants through the USDA Rural Development Program and other programs for the facility’s eventual replacement needs.
“I love the work here and the crew is great,” Mathers said, adding, “they have the ability to get the job done right.”
