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Feller, Finch & Associates' design of the
Haskins Village
Wastewater Treatment Plant was recently mentioned in the following TMACOG
News Letter this year.
The
Local Government Advisory Committee (LGAC), advisory group of the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has produced an
informative documentary about the challenges cities and towns face
in building and maintaining water infrastructure.
Haskins Mayor Kenneth Fallows, appointed member of the LGAC,
represents one of five communities in the video. The Village of
Haskins is used as an example of how and why a jurisdiction should
plan ahead to make the expensive investments in water treatment
facilities.
The
film is directed toward elected officials, explaining why investing
in water facilities is important and presenting strategies for
persuading voters to support plans. As the film's narration notes,
"The capability and condition of the water assets is a key
prospective indicator of a community's wealth and environmental
well-being. And the management of this infrastructure cannot be hit
or miss."
Haskins had wastewater challenges common to many cities and towns.
The wastewater treatment infrastructure was older, the town is
growing, and new regulations meant that the old system was
inadequate. It took eight years, but a new wastewater treatment
plant that doubles the village's capacity has begun operation in
Haskins. "Maintaining water, roads, and other infrastructure is the
first duty of an elected official," says Mayor Fallows. "Good
management is taking care of these things as planned initiatives,
not as crisis management." Mayor Fallows will be showing the
documentary at several local meetings of elected officials, sharing
strategies for improving water infrastructure.
Kenneth Fallows is a former chair of TMACOG and current chair of
TMACOG's Environmental Council. He was the 2006 recipient of the Tom
Bradley Award from the National Association of Regional Councils, in
part for his leadership on environmental issues.
As shown in the TMACOG News Letter, May 2007 |
