Wellington recognizes water and wastewater plants for state operations awards

Wellington village officials on June 9 recognized utility staff after both the Village water treatment plant and the Village wastewater plant received the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Operations Excellence Award for 2024.

The awards honor facilities that "demonstrate excellence in operations, maintenance, and innovative treatment" and require demonstrable achievements that exceed regulatory requirements, officials said during the agenda review. Council members singled out operations teams who work 24 hours a day to keep systems online.

The wastewater plant has won the FDEP award several times in past years. Council members noted this is the first time the Village's water plant has earned the recognition. In addition, the wastewater plant was recognized by the Florida Water Environmental Association as the state's best small facility, class AA dried product biosolids program for 2025, officials said.

Present at the recognition were members of the water and wastewater operations teams. Village staff named staff leaders during the remarks: Carla Perotaron (water plant), wastewater plant superintendent Bridal Gaioso, Dave Farmer (plant maintenance) and Roger Brand (technology services). Council invited staff to take a photograph in the meeting room after the recognition.

Council members framed the awards as recognition for work done largely out of public view, saying the "unsung" operations teams keep systems running and protect public health and the environment.

Village staff said the awards will be used in outreach and to support grant and program applications going forward.