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The Saco Wastewater Treatment Facility in Saco, Maine. Click image for larger size. |
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by
Sandra Perry
The Town of Pittsfield, Maine is located in the southeastern corner
of Somerset County; Exit 38 off I-95. Kenneth Turpel is the
Superintendent of both the Water and Sewer Departments. Licensed by
the State of Maine as both a Water and Wastewater Treatment
Operator, Ken has been employed by the Town since 1978. The Water & Sewer Department staff consists of Ken, two full-time laborers, one part-time meter reader, and one secretary. Ken and his crew are responsible for the operation and maintenance of both systems, including distribution and collection. Two groundwater wells supply the majority of Pittsfield’s residents with drinking water. Approximately 1240 residents are served by the Town’s water system, of which about 92% are on town sewer lines. The Pittsfield Wastewater Treatment Facility consists of two, non-aerated facultative lagoons each approximately 35 acres in size and 4 to 5 feet deep. It is situated adjacent to the Town’s airport. The licensed flow of the plant is 1.5 MGD, however influent flows are typically 0.3 MGD. Wet weather flows can exceed 3 MGD. The effluent quality from this plant is superlative. BOD and TSS concentrations are typically in the single digits. The plant discharges to a peat bog adjacent to the Sebasticook River. It was designed by Kleinschmidt Associates of Pittsfield, Maine and was one of the first of its kind approved by the Maine DEP. Ken oversees the operation of the plant which consists largely of flow management. No chlorination is necessary due to the long detention time and consistently low bacteria counts in the effluent. Ken originally began his work with the Town as a Highway Department crewmember. In 1983 he applied and was accepted for a position in the Water Department in Customer Service. When Pittsfield’s Superintendent of the Water & Sewer Departments resigned in 1985, Ken became acting Superintendent. Seeing an opportunity to advance he applied for and was promoted to Superintendent in 1986 after acquiring his State Water License. He also studied for and passed his Grade II Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator’s License. During his tenure as Superintendent he has developed organized recordkeeping systems. He has worked to separate storm water from the collection system. His position has been challenging and rewarding as he learned the business of water and wastewater treatment from the ground up. Juggling the responsibilities of operating two departments and a crew keep him busy. Ken has participated on Maine’s “lagoon committee”. He is currently assisting in the modification of Maine DEP’s 49-Form (State Sheet), to customize it for lagoon systems. Keeping up with and in compliance with State and Federal regulations for both drinking water and wastewater continue to be his biggest challenge. On a personal note, Ken and his wife Bonnie reside in Pittsfield. Between them they have two sons, three daughters and seven grandchildren. When not working, Ken is a licensed Minister and teaches home bible studies, enjoys church activities, gospel music, boating and fishing, and “just spending time with family and friends”.
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