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Three Worland water and wastewater operators were honored by the mayor and city council at the Feb. 20 meeting.

Engineering representative Mike Donnell said they were unable to honor the three during Wyoming Professional Water and Wastewater Week, Feb. 5-11.

Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon proclaimed Feb. 5-11, as the Wyoming Professional Water and Wastewater Operator Appreciation Week. The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (WDEQ) joined him in honoring these essential professionals.

Water treatment, water distribution, wastewater collection and wastewater treatment operators are professionals who are vital to Wyoming. They protect public health by ensuring that our drinking water is safe and pure, according to a DEQ press release.

They protect our Wyoming lakes and rivers by removing pollutants from our wastewater. Certified operators are also essential to correctly operate and maintain the water and wastewater infrastructure that supports our communities and readies them for future growth.

According to Kim Parker, operator certification coordinator for the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, this week was chosen because Feb. 5, 1975, was the day Wyoming's first operator certification rule was created.

"It's important that we recognize these professionals and the vital role that they play in safeguarding our health and protecting our environment," Parker said. "They also protect the investment Wyoming's taxpayers have made in our water and wastewater infrastructure by operating facilities correctly."

Wyoming has about 1,800 operators that work at 435 facilities.  

Donnell said, "We have outstanding water and wastewater operators and you're really lucky that we do because the people that do this work which is highly technical, you have to do a lot, these guys do a lot of testing weekly, monthly, constantly work with EPA and, and Wyoming DEQ."

Honored Feb. 20 in Worland were Joe Martinez who supervises both water and sewer for the city, Outstanding Professional Water and Wastewater Operator; Rob Koch who runs the water system; Outstanding Professional Water and Wastewater Operator; and Dan Ketterling who runs the wastewater system, Outstanding Professional Wastewater Operator.

"And I just feel like we have three of the best in the state and walk wanted to do this because it was done statewide. I wanted to do this because it was done statewide," Donell said.

Mayor Jim Gill said, "We're darn proud of you. the public needs to know that you're a big part of why we deliver safe and very clean and delectable Artesian water and other drainage systems as well ... You guys have big responsibilities, but you are so deserving, and we want you to know how much we appreciate you."

OTHER BUSINESS

In other business from the Feb. 20 meeting:

The council approved renewing all liquor licenses in the city; 12 retail, three limited retail or club licenses, three restaurant licenses, two bar and grill and one microbrewery. Clerk/Treasurer Tracy Glanz said there have been no problems with any of them in the past year.

A budget resolution to move $24,000 of American Rescue Plan Act funds from the airport to the police fund was approved.

•During reports, Airport Manager Lynn Murdoch said due to ice the airport was shutdown for a short time but was reopened on Friday afternoon, Feb. 16.

Public Works Director Nick Kruger said the flash freeze from the storm Feb. 15 created some issues but there were minimal accidents. He said they hoped to scrape the south side of Big Horn Avenue on Thursday or Friday of last week.

Donnell said they received seven proposals from Wyoming companies to design Washakie Avenue reconstruction. The selection committee was slated to begin work on Feb. 26.

The next regular council meeting will be Tuesday, March 5.