Don Mikutel Named Quality Control Manager <-Go Back
In February, 2007, NewStream named Donald (Don) Mikutel Quality Control Manager for wastewater treatment operations. In his role as Quality Control Manager, Mikutel is responsible for performing treatability testing on all new waste streams before NewStream accepts them, for qualifying loads as they are delivered to the site, and for monitoring treatment quality and regulatory compliance throughout the process. He runs bench-scale tests on samples of each waste stream, and develops a specific treatment plan for each one. He works closely with the operators to ensure that each waste stream is handled exactly as specified in the treatment plan.
“Don is a busy man!” said Operations Manager John Theriault as he watched Donald hustle about in his lab coat. “I don’t know how we managed before without somebody full-time in the lab. With so many different wastestreams, it’s the only way to manage and document everything properly.”
Mikutel brings extensive experience, not only in wastewater treatment plant operation, but in the operation of the NewStream facility. He is a former Texas Instruments employee, having managed operations of the plant prior to TI shutting down its Attleboro operations in 2003.
Mikutel holds a Massachusetts Grade 7C wastewater treatment plant operators license. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts (Bachelor of Science, Environmental Science, 1977) and the Florida Institute of Technology (Masters, Environmental Science, 1983).
“I’m thrilled to be on board at NewStream, and glad to be putting my years of experience at this facility to good use again,” says Mikutel. “Everyone at NewStream is eager to make quality control a top priority. It’s a great team to be a part of.”
Part of History: NewStream Receives Water from USS JFK on Final Port Visit to Boston
The USS John F. Kennedy is the last conventionally-powered aircraft carrier built by the US Navy. Named for the 35th president of the United States, the JFK was the first ship in the US Navy to bear its name. Launched in 1964, the JFK has served in the Middle East and the Persian Gulf for nearly 40 years. The ship recently made its last voyage up the east coast for a final port visit to Boston before being officially decommissioned on March 23 at Mayport, Florida.
NewStream is proud to have played a part in this historic occasion… in our own way. While the ship was docked in Boston, NewStream received and treated over one million gallons of wastewater from its bilge. Off-loading and transportation were handled by Cyn Environmental of Stoughton, MA. “We were of course glad to have the business, but also excited to help make the JFK’s last trip to Boston as smooth as possible,” said NewStream president, Sam Butterfield. “Our understanding is that the Navy and MassPort were very pleased with the entire operation.”
Bilge water from large ships can be a very appropriate type of waste stream for NewStream to handle because it is typically non-hazardous and relatively uncomplicated to treat. Primary contaminants are traces of oil and diesel fuel, light sediment and sometimes metals of corrosion from the ship’s mechanical systems. As with the JFK’s wastewater, the final effluent from these larger vessels is particularly clean because it is processed through on-board treatment systems, including oil recovery, before being discharged to the bilge. It is sometimes diluted by seawater as well, from normal leakage and other on-board activities. Ships are permitted to discharge pretreated wastewater to the ocean while off-shore, but in port it must be held for off-site disposal. “Bilge water is something that we’ve discussed in the past as being a potentially good source of business for us,” says Butterfield. “It’s wonderful to have the JFK be one of our first customers of this type because it gives us excellent credibility with other potential customers like cruise ships and marine transport companies.”
New Waste Profile Form
NewStream is currently implementing a new electronic filing system to better manage the documentation associated with each waste stream accepted at our facility. The new system will allow for better control over batch treatment processes and more seamless reporting to regulatory agencies.
In order to ensure that all documentation is up to date as we implement this new system, it is necessary to re-certify all active waste streams. We’re asking all customers to complete updated waste profile forms for all active waste streams and submit them to Rick Derby as soon as possible. The new form is available for download at www.newstream.biz. Please call John or Rick at 508-236-6001 with any questions. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
MA DEP Finalizes Revised Sewer Regulations
On January 12, 2007, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MA DEP) finalized amendments to regulations governing sanitary and industrial sewer connection permits. The primary objectives of the amendments are to minimize duplication of federal and local requirements, and to improve existing performance standards. Affected industrial generators include all manufacturing SIC codes and many others, including hospitals, automotive repair and paint shops, airports and terminals, and more.
Existing dischargers must re-certify or apply for an updated permit by January 12, 2008. Documents will be available on the DEP’s web site on July 12, 2007. New dischargers must obtain a permit or certify within 60 days after discharge begins. For more detail, see the MA DEP Fact Sheet on the revised sewer regulations: http://www.mass.gov/dep/water/laws/sewerfax.pdf.