The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has funded a $52,600 grant for "Promoting Elimination of Persistent Bio-Accumulative Substance Through Small Publicly Owned Treatment Works."

Jack Annis, director of UW-Extension�s Solid and Hazardous Waste Education Center and lecturer in resource management within the College of Natural Resources at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP), authored the grant proposal. UW-Extension staff from UW-Green Bay, UW-Milwaukee and UW-Madison will provide additional technical support for the project activities.

According to Annis, "The grant�s focus is to educate and assist communities with publicly owned sewage treatment facilities in their efforts to lower mercury and other persistent bio-accumulative substances in their waste water discharges."

Treatment plants of five million gallons per day or more are required to reduce their discharge of mercury in effluent and biosolid wastes, in compliance with new regulations. In addition, smaller treatment plants may experience either toxicity, volume or capacity problems which might cause them to be in violation of their own wastewater permit. The project also will provide a permanent web-based resource for both the private and public sectors.

"Our hope is to work cooperatively with industry and the community wastewater treatment plants that regulate industry throughout our region with the ultimate goal of reducing or eliminating persistent bio-accumulative toxic substances such as mercury through education and pollution prevention," said Annis. "Lowering mercury discharges is essential to the success of the project."

In addition to UWSP and UW-Extension, other project collaborators include the Wisconsin Wastewater Operators Association, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and units of local government.

Annis received his bachelor�s degree and MBA at Wilmington College, Newcastle, Del.

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tmiller/vc/annis grant