South Dakota Recognizes Wind Cave National Park for Safe Drinking Water and Wastewater Operations

Jeff Simmons, certified water/wastewater operator, prepares to raise a lift station pump for service at Wind Cave National Park’s lift station.

NPS Photo

News Release Date: May 13, 2014

Contact: Tom Farrell, 605-745-1130

WIND CAVE NATIONAL PARK, S.D. – The South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) announced recently that Wind Cave National Park earned two awards -- one award concerned drinking water compliance and the second award was for wastewater operations.

“Water and wastewater treatment systems are essential services that we all use every day but are taken for granted unless there is a malfunction,” said DENR Secretary Steve Pirner. “These award winners are the certified operation specialists who went the extra mile last year to ensure there were no malfunctions.”

The Drinking Water Certificate of Achievement Award was earned for compliance in monitoring, reporting drinking water standards, and certification requirements. The Operation and Maintenance Wastewater Treatment Award was for outstanding operation of the wastewater system and environmental compliance with its state surface water discharge permit for the past year. The operation specialists for both awards were Mike Carder, Jeff Simmons, Jacques Lussier, and Timm Richardson.

Qualifications for the Operation and Maintenance Wastewater Treatment Award were based on the park’s compliance with the state environmental requirements, the quality of the treated and discharged wastewater, monitoring reports, state inspections, and proper operation and maintenance of the wastewater treatment facility.