2024 Year in Review: Birch Bay Water and Sewer District

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Birch Bay Water and Sewer District (BBWSD) was awarded its 22nd Wastewater Treatment Plant Outstanding Performance Award by the Washington State Department of Ecology.

“It takes diligent employees to receive this type of award, and our employees are committed to our mission and are proud to serve our community,” said Dan Eisses, general manager. “They are our best asset.”

Operational highlights include a federal-mandated survey of water lines for lead. The district has completed the required inventory and is pleased to announce no lead service lines have been identified within the district’s water system.

The district had several staffing updates this year. BBWSD celebrated commissioner Don Montfort’s 30 years of public service. The district welcomed operations manager Mike Kim in January with 14 years’ water and sewer experience. Operator Chris Palka joined the Sewer Department in March with a fisheries and aquaculture degree. Operator Chris Bork transferred from the Water Department to Sewer Department. Carson Cothren, with two years’ experience in water distribution, started in October.

Eisses is retiring, staying on part-time to ensure a smooth transition in management and to work on special projects. The board of commissioners offered the general manager position to Sandi McMillan, finance director for 11 years.

Capital projects included a water main replacement on Holeman Ave., water supply enhancements including design for a new Point Whitehorn reservoir, replacing fire hydrants for ease of operation, and supervisory control and data acquisition system upgrades. BBWSD continues to reduce nutrients in wastewater effluent with process control improvements.

“We are extremely pleased with the numerous capital and major maintenance projects we completed this year,” Kim said. “These investments are necessary to maintain reliability and resiliency in district infrastructure while also increasing efficiency and scalability.”

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