State of South Dakota Recognizes Wind Cave National Park for Outstanding Operation of Wastewater Treatment System

Maintenance specialist Jeff Simmons checks the wastewater treatment system’s backup generator.

NPS Photo

News Release Date: May 31, 2016

Contact: Tom Farrell, 605-745-1130

WIND CAVE NATIONAL PARK, SD – The South Dakota Department of Environmental and Natural Resources (DENR) announced recently that the Wind Cave National Park wastewater treatment system is the recipient of the 2015 Operation and Maintenance Wastewater Treatment Award. This award is for outstanding operation of the wastewater system and environmental compliance with its state surface water discharge permit during the past year.

“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 wastewater operation specialists who went the extra mile last year to ensure there were no malfunctions.”

Qualifications for the Operation and Maintenance Wastewater Treatment Award are based on a system’s compliance with 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.