The staff of the Wolf Creek Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) in the Town of Abingdon, Virginia, operated by Woodard & Curan, have been recognized as a 2024 Water Environment Federation Wastewater Surveillance Champion. Abingdon was one of four utilities selected across the nation for this recognition for their exemplary contributions to the wastewater surveillance field. Nominated by the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), Abingdon’s early participation in sentinel monitoring was crucial to the development of the Virginia program.
Wastewater surveillance is the practice of monitoring wastewater for contaminants via routine testing. In the case of the Wolf Creek WRF, the program focused on viral monitoring in partnership with the Virginia Department of Health (VDH). Over nearly three years, Woodard & Curran’s team at Wolf Creek submitted 141 samples without missing a single scheduled submission. They were also specifically praised for proactive communications with VDH, lab partners, and the public and for their responsiveness to VDH’s requests for supplemental data and other information needed for timely dashboard updates.
“We see this monitoring work as truly valuable to our community, the state of Virginia, and the wastewater profession as a whole,” said Christopher Pritt, Woodard & Curran’s Project Manager at the Wolf Creek WRF. “It’s a point of pride for us to contribute to this effort, and I’m very proud of the entire team for their commitment to this monitoring and to maintaining a high level of service to Abingdon and its residents.”
Shannon Turner, Assistant Project Manager, and Chris Pritt, Project Manager, show of Wolf Creek WRF’s award.
The data from the Wolf Creek WRF is critical in the effort to vulnerable populations in Virginia’s far Southwest region, and staff there often detect viral spikes before other plants.
The award was presented at the Water Environment Federation’s annual technical conference, WEFTEC.
