Darrin Allred - a lead operator at the East Burlington WWTP - was recently awarded the Wilbur E. Long Municipal Operator of the Year Award at the 2009 AWWA-WEA conference held in Raleigh. The Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator of the Year Award was established in 1975 by the Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators Certification Commission.
By Resolution, adopted by the Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators Certification Commission on January 12, 1977, the annual operator award was designated to be referred to henceforth as the Wilbur E. Long, Jr. Operator of the Year Award.
The purpose of the award is to recognize any properly certified Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator in North Carolina who has exhibited outstanding knowledge and innovation in the continuing operation of a wastewater treatment facility or who has contributed time and efforts toward the training, education, and general upgrading of the Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator or who has devised, discovered or invented devices or techniques which enhance the science of plant operation.
Allred was recognized by Council at the December 1 City Council meeting.