Ypsilanti, MI – October 19, 2012 – A contractor for the Ypsilanti Community Utilities Authority (YCUA) will be constructing improvements to the wastewater collection system in the City of Ypsilanti starting the week of October 22, 2012. The work will involve removal and replacement of a damaged section of pipe in Riverside Park east of Huron Street and modifications to the interior of an existing manhole located in Huron Street south of Washtenaw Avenue. The manhole work in Huron Street will require closure of two lanes of traffic. The project is part of an ongoing series of improvements to the wastewater system to eliminate illicit discharges of sewage that periodically occur south of the proposed work. Weather permitting, the project should be completed within two weeks of the start date. YCUA encourages any customers with questions or concerns to contact Sree Mullapudi in the YCUA engineering department at 734-484-4600 ext. 219.

For information: www.ycua.org or
Contact: jcastro@ycua.org
Phone: 734-484-4600 ext. 116

Ypsilanti, MI – October 17, 2012 – Over the next several days, Ypsilanti Community Utilities Authority (YCUA) contractors will be chemically treating sanitary sewers in several areas of the City of Ypsilanti and Ypsilanti Township. The sewers are primarily located in the rear and side yards of single-family homes. The project areas are as follows:

1. City of Ypsilanti, north of Washtenaw Avenue between Roosevelt Boolevard and Courtland Street,
2. Charter Township of Ypsilanti, west of Ridge Road north of Appleridge,
3. Charter Township of Ypsilanti, the area approximately bounded by Candlewood Lane, Rambling Road and Clark Road,
4. Charter Township of Ypsilanti, the area bounded by Tyler Road, Interstate 94 and the Willow Run Freeway,
5. Charter Township of Ypsilanti, the area approximately bounded by Grove Road, Smith Avenue and Harmon Avenue, and
6. Charter Township of Ypsilanti, the area bounded by Grove Road to the south, South Harris Road to the east, Marcus Street to the north and Margarita Street to the west.

YCUA encourages any customers with questions or concerns to contact the YCUA engineering department at 734-484-4600 ext. 220.

For information: www.ycua.org or
Contact: jcastro@ycua.org
Phone: 734-484-4600 ext. 116

Ypsilanti, MI – August 14, 2012 – The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) is warning consumers to be alert to a bill payment scam that is affecting utility customers across the country. The scammers are claiming that President Obama will pay customers’ utility bills through a new federal program. That claim is false, and fraudulent.

According to the Better Business Bureau, utility customers have been contacted in person, through fliers, through social media, and via text messages with claims that President Obama can provide credits or apply payments to their bills. The scammers then direct the customers to send their Social Security and bank routing numbers. In return, customers are given a false bank routing number that will supposedly pay their utility bills.

In truth, there is no money in the “program,” and customers believe they’ve paid their bills, when in fact, they have not.

DWSD has posted an alert on its website at www.dwsd.org, urging consumers not to participate in the scam. Moreover, DWSD officials advise customers not to provide any personal, confidential information to people who claim to be affiliated with a presidential program that pays utility bills. Consumers also should keep records of payment verification, and should never assume a pending payment has been accepted until the payment is verified with the customer account number.

For more information on the utility bill payment scam, visit the Better Business Bureau’s website.

DWSD supplies high-quality drinking water to Detroit and 126 other communities in southeast Michigan, including customers of YCUA.

For information: www.ycua.org or
Contact: lthomas@ycua.org
Phone: 734-484-4600 ext. 116

Ypsilanti, MI – June 5, 2012 – YCUA is currently conducting a conventional valve turning exercise program to maintain the quality and longevity of all water system valves. Being able to operate these valves at a moment’s notice is extremely important. In an emergency, sections of a distribution system may need to be isolated without delay.

Conventional water system valve turning consists of closing and then opening each valve in a specific neighborhood. During this process, customers might experience discolored water and sediment for a short period of time.

After valve exercising has been completed in a neighborhood, it may be necessary to purge internal plumbing. Running several cold taps at full force for a short period will usually flush out any discolored water in the home. If the water is not clear, wait one-half hour and repeat the flushing process again. Running water through an outdoor garden hose is also an effective way to flush out a service. It is also a good idea to remove and clean out the screens on faucet aerators, which may have gathered particles during the valve exercising process.

The valve turning exercise is not expected to interrupt water service to customers. Any customers who experience continued abnormally low pressure and / or low flow volume should contact YCUA at 734-484-4600 ext. 307. Valve exercising will normally take place between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. For more information including a schedule of locations where the exercise will be performed, please visit www.ycua.org.

For information: www.ycua.org or
Contact: jcastro@ycua.org
Phone: 734-484-4600 ext. 307

Ypsilanti, MI – May 5, 2011 – The Ypsilanti Community Utilities Authority is in the final phase of upgrading water meters for its customers in the City of Ypsilanti. This phase of the project involves replacing outdated visual readers with radio-read devices. The new system requires a new meter to be installed that is compatible with a Meter Transceiver Unit or MXU. The MXU operates on a radio frequency, which can be read and registered by a passing meter truck. This offers many advantages over the older manual read system. With the radio read system, YCUA personnel will no longer need to enter customers’ yards and will be able to get more meter readings with greater accuracy and speed, thus eliminating the need for estimated bills and resulting in more accurate billing for our customers.

Remaining in the system are 688 of the old visual readers that are in need of replacement. YCUA meter service technicians will be visiting the affected properties and, if no one is home at the time, letters will be left requesting customers to call to schedule an appointment. Installation of this equipment entails replacement of the meter, wire, and any current outside device. The new equipment will provide YCUA with accurate meter reads and more timely alerts of problems with the meter or electronic reader.

The MXU may be mounted either inside by the meter or outside. Because the MXU has a battery inside of the unit that will in the future need replacement, it is best that the MXU be installed outside when possible.

In an effort to accommodate customer schedules, in addition to normal weekday hours, evening appointments are available in April and May and daytime appointments are available on Saturday May 14, 2011. Appointments can be scheduled by calling YCUA customer service at 734-484-4600 ext. 705. Completion of this project will assist the Authority in its goal to provide quality service to all customers.

For information: www.ycua.org or
Contact: jcastro@ycua.org
Phone: 734-484-4600 ext. 307

Ypsilanti, MI – December 16, 2010 – The Ypsilanti Community Utilities Authority (YCUA) announces the institution of its Budget Billing Program. The YCUA Budget Billing Program allows customers to spread the cost of their bills over an entire year. This plan is only available to YCUA customers who have a history of 12 months at the address where they want the account to be budgeted and the account must be current. If a customer meets these qualifications, YCUA can add them to the program right away.

Here’s how the program works:

• YCUA will calculate the average of a customer’s past six periods (12 months) to determine what their bi-monthly Budget Billing amount will be for the next six cycles (one year). Any overages will be refunded in the last month. Any shortages will be spread over the following six periods, so the billed amount will continue to be consistent.
• After the first 12 months in the program, the customer will receive a new Budget Billing amount based on their actual water and sewer use charges for the previous 12 months plus the previous year’s shortage, (or overage credit) if necessary. For example: If the original Budget Billing amount (for water and sewer use) was $100 per month and the actual water and sewer charges over the year totaled an average of $110 per month, the new budget billing will be $120 (the new average of $110 plus $10 “true up” from the previous year.).

Accounts that become delinquent while on the program may be removed from the program. Also, if for any reason a customer asks to be removed from the program, it will be necessary to pay the total amount owed on the account by the next due date. To stay current, all a customer needs to do is pay the Total Amount Due each month and, once they sign up, they will be on their way toward budgeting their water bills with YCUA’s Budget Billing program!

To check eligibility or enroll in Budget Billing, or for answers to any questions, customers can contact YCUA customer service staff at 734-484-4600 option 2.

YCUA customers can also now register their account with PSN (a link is provided on our website at www.ycua.org) to view their bill, view consumption and payment history, and / or to pay their bill online. If customers sign-up for online billing, they will receive their statement via email instead of paper (one tree is saved annually for every 1250 accounts signed up for paper-less statements). By registering an account, YCUA customers can now:

• Receive payment confirmation
• Receive bill notification
• Review bills online
• Review payment history online
• Schedule recurring payments for a small fee

There are now several ways for customers to pay their YCUA water and sewer bills:

• ACH automatically taken from checking account bi-monthly (no cost). Visit website at www.ycua.org to enroll or call 734-484-4600 x106
• In person or mail: YCUA office (2777 State Road, Ypsilanti MI 48198) Open 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Monday thru Friday.
• On website with a credit card, debit or e-check (link at www.ycua.org) for a small processing fee.
• Over the phone at 877.885.7968 for a small processing fee.
• At Ypsilanti Township Civic Center.
• Any Wal-Mart location for a small processing fee.

For information: www.ycua.org or
Contact: dharrigan@ycua.org
Phone: 734-484-4600 ext. 169

Ypsilanti, MI – May 27, 2010 – YCUA is currently conducting a conventional valve turning exercise program to maintain the quality and longevity of all water system valves. Being able to operate these valves at a moment’s notice is extremely important. In an emergency, sections of a distribution system may need to be isolated without delay.

Conventional water system valve turning consists of closing then opening each valve in a specific neighborhood. During this process, you might experience discolored water and sediment for a short period of time.

After valve exercising has been completed in your neighborhood, it may be necessary to purge your internal plumbing. Running several cold taps at full force for a short period will usually flush out any discolored water in the home. If the water is not clear, wait one-half hour and repeat the flushing process again. Running water outside through a garden hose is also an effective way to flush out your service.

It is also a good idea to remove and clean out the screens on faucet aerators, which may have gathered particles during the valve exercising process. If you experience continued abnormally low pressure and / or low flow volume throughout your house, please call the number listed below.

Valve exercising will normally take place between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. For more information go to: www.ycua.org or call 734-484-4600 Ext. 307.

For information: www.ycua.org or
Contact: jcastro@ycua.org
Phone: 734-484-4600 ext. 307

Ypsilanti, MI – October 27, 2009 – At the October 27, 2009 regular meeting of the Ypsilanti Community Utilities Authority Board of Commissioners, Paul Retel, Trustee and Chairman of the Safety Practices Committee the Michigan Section American Water Works Association, was on hand to present YCUA with their 2009 Class III Award for Safety Excellence.

Each year, the Michigan Section AWWA sponsors a safety award competition for Michigan drinking water utilities. The award recognizes outstanding safety programs in four utility classifications. Each classification is based on the number of employees in the utility. The selection of this award was based on YCUA’s excellent safety record as well as its outstanding safety program and safety management.

“YCUA has a culture of safety that is excellent,” Mr. Retel said. “Not only does it protect the men and women that work (at the Authority) but, it translates into dollars and cents savings for YCUA’s customers.” YCUA Health and Safety Supervisor Scott E. Robinson accepted the award on YCUA’s behalf. “This is actually an award for everyone.” Mr. Robinson said.

The American Water Works Association (AWWA) is an international organization that is dedicated to providing safe drinking water.

For information: www.ycua.org or
Contact: lthomas@ycua.org
Phone: 734-484-4600 ext. 116

Ypsilanti, MI – October 7, 2009 – Ypsilanti Community Utilities Authority has received Washtenaw County’s Honorable Mention Award for Pollution Prevention for 2009. The Washtenaw County Pollution Prevention Program is responsible for inspecting facilities that store, manufacture, or use hazardous, toxic, or polluting materials. Inspectors ensure that facilities utilize and dispose of hazardous materials properly, thereby preventing environmental contamination. During the recent award ceremony, Washtenaw County Environmental Program Supervisor Jeff Krcmarik stated that YCUA’s chemical inventory reporting details all chemicals stored at the Authority’s facilities, even if they are below the reporting threshold limits. This reporting aids the local police and fire departments in preparing their staff members for any emergency at YCUA’s facilities. Jeff Krcmarik also mentioned that YCUA treats more than 8.0 billion gallons of wastewater annually before discharging into the Rouge River.

This particular award recognizes the efforts of YCUA in the area of pollution prevention and expresses how those efforts are appreciated by outside agencies. YCUA management thanks the employees at the Authority for a job well done and for their continued efforts.

For information: www.ycua.org or
Contact: lthomas@ycua.org
Phone: 734-484-4600 ext. 116

Ypsilanti, MI - February 24, 2009 - At a press conference held today at Ypsilanti Community Utilities Authority, Gov. Jennifer Granholm announced that Ypsilanti will be one of 16 communities in the state receiving federal stimulus money under the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) signed by President Barack Obama last week.

Also addressing the press and local elected officials were Environmental Quality Director Steven Chester, YCUA Board of Commissioners’ Chairperson J. Ray Scott, and YCUA Director Larry R. Thomas. Having recently returned from the National Governors’ Association conference in Washington and from a meeting the day before with President Obama and his economic advisors, Gov. Granholm briefed YCUA on water infrastructure and other projects that will be funded in Washtenaw County and across the state as well as the process for distributing the federal dollars. She indicated that infrastructure improvements in buildings, roads, bridges, sewers, water systems, and mass transit are crucial in jump-starting the economy due to the new jobs that will be created.

Steven Chester, Director of Environmental Quality, said that the state is expected to receive about $66 million for drinking water infrastructure improvements, which will be shared among the 16 communities with shovel-ready projects, including New Haven, Ypsilanti, Van Buren Township, Dearborn and River Rouge. For Ypsilanti and Ypsilanti Township, that could mean $680,000 for water main replacements on Mansfield Street and Hewitt Road. However, an exact total is pending from the EPA and specifically how the funds will be divided among projects has yet to be determined.

“For roads, bridges, and transit, Michigan will get about $853 million – almost $1 billion,” Gov. Granholm said. “It’s anticipated that Michigan will create 109,000 jobs as a result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).” She stated that the ARRA is more than just a “stimulus plan” because some of the projects are expected to last for decades and will result in a boost to the economy that will be long-term. Gov. Granholm also estimated that the drinking water projects alone could put almost 800 people to work in Michigan.

Construction jobs will be the first ones created by the ARRA because those are the projects ready to go, but teaching, information technology and medical jobs also will benefit from the plan.

Also as part of the ARRA, unemployment benefits are going up $25 a week and there will be a large increase in federal help for state Medicaid programs. “For Michigan, that means that we will receive an additional $450 million for Medicaid,” Gov. Granholm said. “This is important because, over the last four months, over 50,000 more citizens have enrolled in the Medicaid system because of the recession.”

Gov. Granholm also urged Ypsilanti and Ypsilanti Township officials to apply for substantial energy-related ARRA funds. This could include money for weatherizing buildings, improving their energy efficiency, and generating “green” energy. “There are going to be huge opportunities for greening,” she said.

Federal guidelines require the ARRA funds to be carefully monitored and governments that misuse stimulus money will have to pay it back. “They were very clear in the White House - and we all ought to be very clear - that this money will require significant oversight,” she said. “We have to have transparency and accountability and we’ve got to do it right.”

More information on the ARRA can be found on the new website www.recovery.gov.

For information: www.ycua.org or
Contact: lthomas@ycua.org
Phone: 734-484-4600 ext. 116

Ypsilanti, MI - April 25, 2008 - Ypsilanti Community Utilities Authority is implementing a preventative maintenance program to protect the longevity and operation of the water system valves. This consists of a valve exercise program, which requires closing and then opening each valve in a specific neighborhood. The operation of the valves is extremely important. In an emergency, sections of the water distribution system may need to be isolated without delay.

During this process, customers may experience discolored water and sediment for a short period of time. Upon completion of the valve exercising in an area, it may be necessary to purge internal plumbing. Running several cold taps at full force for a period of one - two minutes should remove any discoloration from the water. It may be necessary to repeat the purging process after 30 minutes in some cases. Running water outside through a garden hose is also an effective way to purge discolored water. Although it may not look clear, the water is not harmful.

In some cases, low water pressure and / or low flow volume may be experienced. In this event, remove and clean the screens in the water faucets. The screens may have gathered particles during the valve exercising process. If abnormally low pressure and / or low flow volume continue after cleaning the faucet screens, please call the number listed below.

The valve turning exercise is not expected to interrupt water service to customers. Valve exercising will normally take place between the hours of 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Wednesday through Friday. A schedule of locations where the exercise will be performed is available at www.ycua.org.

For information: www.ycua.org or
Contact: jcastro@ycua.org
Phone: 734-484-4600 ext. 300

Ypsilanti, MI - August 22, 2007 - YCUA received a report today that, within the past week, a city resident was approached at her home by an individual who identified himself as a water department employee and told her that he was there to check her water meter due to a high bill. Preliminary reports indicate that the man requested and received cash payment for his services prior to leaving.

Ypsilanti Community Utilities Authority would like to remind its customers that all employees of the Authority carry a YCUA picture identification card with them. Meter personnel are required to wear an official YCUA uniform. No employee of YCUA will ask for or accept payments of any kind outside of YCUA offices. Additionally, if a YCUA employee needs to enter a resident’s home to perform work of any kind, customers are notified in advance and appointments are arranged through the customer service department.

Any resident who is approached by an individual representing themselves as a water department or YCUA employee who does not have a previously arranged appointment for in-home service should report the incident to his or her local law enforcement agency.

For information: www.ycua.org or
Contact: webmaster@ycua.org
Phone: 734-484-4600 ext. 107

Bath, MI - April 4, 2007 - YCUA has been awarded the annual Health and Safety Award from the Michigan Water Environment Association (MWEA) in recognition of its effective, well-established and carefully documented health and safety program.

YCUA received high marks in the areas of management, commitment to safety; safety inspections; safety programs; safety committee meetings; and accident / incident investigations and follow-up.

The MWEA represents more than 1,700 water quality professionals statewide who are dedicated to preserving, restoring and enhancing Michigan's water resources. MWEA is a member association of the Water Environment Federation (WEF) an international organization with more than 100,000 members worldwide.

For information: www.ycua.org or
Contact: webmaster@ycua.org
Phone: 734-484-4600 ext. 107

Ann Arbor, MI - March 2, 2007 - Ypsilanti Community Utilities Authority’s recently expanded and improved wastewater treatment plant has received an award for the Best Project Team Over $25 Million at the 2007 Pyramid Awards sponsored by the Washtenaw Contractors Association. YCUA, consulting engineers Tetra Tech, and construction contractor The Christman Company, were honored at the Pyramid Awards Gala at the Kensington Court Hotel in Ann Arbor on March 2, 2007.

These team members worked together for three and a half years to complete YCUA’s wastewater treatment plant expansion and improvements project. The work involved building a new facility surrounding the existing one and then blending the renovated plant to create a single modern operation.

Due to the close proximity of the YCUA facility to Willow Run Airport, FAA approval was required for crane boom height limits to avoid issues with air traffic landing approach height restrictions. Christman created and monitored detailed crane location schedules and kept in constant communication with the airport to ensure safety.

The team also had to overcome the challenge of keeping the facility operating while construction took place. Tetra Tech was keen to the fact that construction needs were secondary to YCUA’s operational needs and presented designs with this in mind. Because of the uniqueness of the project, two construction teams worked on opposite sides of the facility to successfully meet the goals of the project.

With the help of all team members, the plant was able to maintain smooth operation through construction. YCUA can now process 45 million gallons of wastewater per day compared to the 29 million gallons per day processed before the renovations were completed.

The Washtenaw Contractors Association Pyramid Awards program recognizes the contractors, subcontractors, and owners for their teamwork, service, and innovation on exceptional projects. Pyramid award winners are selected by an independent panel composed of a cross section of construction industry experts from outside the southeast Michigan area.

For information: www.ycua.org or
Contact: webmaster@ycua.org
Phone: 734-484-4600 ext. 107

Lansing, MI - February 24, 2007 - Ypsilanti Community Utilities Authority’s World-Class Biosolids Incineration System has received an Honorable Award in the Engineering and Surveying Excellence Awards Competition sponsored by the American Council of Engineering Companies of Michigan and the Michigan Society of Professional Engineers. YCUA and Tetra Tech, its consulting engineers, were honored at the ACEC Awards Banquet at the Soaring Eagle Casino in Mount Pleasant on February 24, 2007.

With the installation of this new technology, YCUA has set the standard for emissions. The YCUA replacement incinerator is the cleanest sludge-burning incinerator in the country. With its fluidized bed and four levels of exhaust air control equipment, the replacement incinerator uses the cleanest-burning technology in the country.

The YCUA Board of Commissioners had a vision for improving air quality. They made a commitment to carry out this vision in 2000 by selecting a clean, efficient, fluidized bed sewage sludge incinerator system to replace the existing multiple hearth unit from the options available for biosolids disposal. The new replacement furnace and air cleaning system were designed in 2002, received a permit from Michigan Department of Environmental Quality in 2003, and went into a successful operation in August of 2006. This system consists of a new, highly efficient furnace, with four stages of air cleaning processes including two stages of water scrubbers, one wet electrostatic precipitator and an activated carbon filter. This is the only municipal biosolids incinerator system in the United States with carbon filters to polish the exhaust prior to release. Performance testing conducted in July of 2006 demonstrated that the air quality from the new YCUA system met all MDEQ parameters. As a result, YCUA is proud to say it has the cleanest burning biosolids incinerator system in the U.S.

For information: www.ycua.org or
Contact: webmaster@ycua.org
Phone: 734-484-4600 ext. 107

Ypsilanti, MI - March 29, 2006 - The Ypsilanti Community Utilities Authority hosted the 2006 AWWA Tapping contest on March 29, 2006. John Hunter from East Jordan Iron Works, also the Chairman of Michigan AWWA Tapping Committee, conducted the contest. Each four-member team was timed on its speed in completing a water tap on a fully pressurized water main. Participants included two teams from YCUA, the City of Lansing (former Michigan tapping champions as well as national tapping placers), and the City of Troy (former Michigan and national placers). Representatives from other utilities and water work suppliers judged the event. First place honor went to the City of Troy with a time of 1:18 and the City of Lansing same in second with a time of 1:19 YCUA’s A and B teams rounded out third and fourth places with time 3:01 and 5:00 respectively. Those who participated were issued .03 continuing education credits. An informational tapping class was also held after the contest.

For information: www.ycua.org or
Contact: webmaster@ycua.org
Phone: 734-484-4600 ext. 107

Ypsilanti, MI - April 8, 2005 - Ypsilanti Community Utilities Authority staff member Kevin Dupuis recently received the Michigan Water Environment Association (MWEA) Maintenance Professional of the Year award. This award is a phenomenal accomplishment.

The MWEA Maintenance Professional Award is presented to a worthy individual who, working on a day-to-day basis in maintenance, displays remarkable dedication to his or her employer and to the MWEA, excelling professionally and publicly promoting the wastewater treatment profession. Nominees for this award include posses a voluntary Maintenance Certification, five years experience in the areas of electrical, instrumentation, and/or mechanical maintenance; and exhibit exemplary contribution to the advancement and understanding of maintenance issues.

Mr. Dupuis is a perfect example of a young professional who is dedicated to learning and improving his performance. He is interested in every training opportunity available and readily accepts new challenges. He seeks jobs that will educate him and improve his skills. He has the single-most positive attitude toward work that I have ever seen. He is a leader and is well respected by both the people who work for him and the people he works for. It is truly a pleasure to watch his skills grow as he gains experience and applies what he learns. He has a natural instinct for problem solving and "thinks around corners" as skillfully as other mechanics with much more experience.

The Michigan Water Environment Association (MWEA), established in 1925, represents more than 1,700 water quality professionals statewide who are dedicated to preserving, restoring and enhancing Michigan's water resources. MWEA is a member association of the Water Environment Federation (WEF) an international organization with more than 100,000 members worldwide. MWEA’s mission is to be the recognized authority on and advocate for preserving, restoring and enhancing Michigan's water resources.

For information: www.ycua.org or
Contact: webmaster@ycua.org
Phone: 734-484-4600 ext. 107

Ypsilanti, MI - March 30, 2005 - Ypsilanti Community Utilities Authority employees Don Nichols and Luther V. Blackburn were recently instrumental in preventing a possible child abduction situation in Ypsilanti Township.

On March 15, 2005, while performing their regular duties as Line Service Technicians for YCUA, the Ypsilanti area’s water and wastewater utility, Nichols and Blackburn spotted the potential emergency situation and bravely and selflessly intervened to assure the safety of a local child. Nichols and Blackburn were formally recognized for their heroism at the March meeting of the YCUA Board of Commissioners, where they were presented with Resolutions of Commendation.

In conjunction with the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Department and Charter Township of Ypsilanti Fire Department, it is YCUA’s pledge to actively participate in the Crime Prevention Neighborhood Watch Program as “Eyes and Ears” for the Ypsilanti community. This event is an example of that commitment. YCUA is proud of the dedication of its staff to assuring the safety of local residents and is grateful to Nichols and Blackburn for their service to the community beyond the call of duty.

Ypsilanti Township’s Neighborhood Watch network is comprised of approximately 45 individual groups that work cooperatively to improve the quality of life in the community. Each group is organized and managed by a resident coordinator and a core group of active members including block captains and other volunteers. A representative of the Township, the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office, and the Township Fire Department attend each meeting, providing crime statistics and other timely information of interest. Issues raised at meetings are brought back to the Township administration for staff assignment and resolution. Neighborhood Watch meetings are held on a monthly basis.

Residents interested in developing a neighborhood watch program may contact Mayme Johnson in the Charter Township of Ypsilanti Community Support Office at 484-5263.

For information: www.ycua.org or
Contact: webmaster@ycua.org
Phone: 734-484-4600 ext. 107

Ypsilanti, MI - October 4, 2004 - Ypsilanti Community Utilities Authority is very proud to be the recipient of the 2004 George W. Burke Jr. Award. This award, given in recognition for a facility having an outstanding safety program and record, is awarded annually by the Water Environment Federation and its member associations. YCUA received the award at the 2004 annual conference of the Michigan Water Environment Association in August.

This award was established in 1982 to honor George W. Burke Jr. for his years of service to the water environment field. He was instrumental in developing the WEF’s annual safety survey and assisting in the production of several safety training aids and promotional packets.

The award is given in recognition of a facility’s commitment to health and safety in the workplace as evidenced by a documented safety program and the incident record of the preceding year. One year ago, the YCUA Health and Safety Supervisor submitted a detailed application outlining the established safety programs and procedures followed by Authority employees.

YCUA has always exceeded standards relating to the safety of its employees. It is a great honor to have this commitment recognized across the state.

Special recognition goes to Scott Robinson, YCUA Health and Safety Supervisor, and Mike Warren, YCUA AFSCME Safety Coordinator, who provide leadership in the development of the safety program. Additionally, recognition goes to all YCUA employees, both management and staff, who show great commitment and dedication to YCUA as they support, promote and cooperate in achieving the goal of providing a safe working environment.

The Michigan Water Environment Association (MWEA), established in 1925, represents more than 1,700 water quality professionals statewide who are dedicated to preserving, restoring and enhancing Michigan's water resources. MWEA is a member association of the Water Environment Federation (WEF) an international organization with more than 100,00 members worldwide. MWEA’s mission is to be the recognized authority on and advocate for preserving, restoring and enhancing Michigan's water resources.

For information: www.ycua.org or
Contact: webmaster@ycua.org
Phone: 734-484-4600 ext. 107

Ypsilanti, MI - July 7, 2004 - Ypsilanti Community Utilities Authority staff member Leonard Casey recently received the Michigan Water Environment Association (MWEA) Maintenance Professional of the Year award. This award is a phenomenal accomplishment.

The MWEA Maintenance Professional Award is presented to a worthy individual who, working on a day-to-day basis in maintenance, displays remarkable dedication to his or her employer and to the MWEA, excelling professionally and publicly promoting the wastewater treatment profession. Nominees for this award include posses a voluntary Maintenance Certification, five years experience in the areas of electrical, instrumentation, and/or mechanical maintenance; and exhibit exemplary contribution to the advancement and understanding of maintenance issues.

Mr. Casey is a perfect example of a young professional who is dedicated to learning and improving his performance. He is interested in every training opportunity available and readily accepts new challenges. He seeks jobs that will educate him and improve his skills. He has the single-most positive attitude toward work that I have ever seen. He is a leader and is well respected by both the people who work for him and the people he works for. It is truly a pleasure to watch his skills grow as he gains experience and applies what he learns. He has a natural instinct for problem solving and "thinks around corners" as skillfully as other mechanics with much more experience.

The Michigan Water Environment Association (MWEA), established in 1925, represents more than 1,700 water quality professionals statewide who are dedicated to preserving, restoring and enhancing Michigan's water resources. MWEA is a member association of the Water Environment Federation (WEF) an international organization with more than 100,00 members worldwide. MWEA’s mission is to be the recognized authority on and advocate for preserving, restoring and enhancing Michigan's water resources.

For information: www.ycua.org or
Contact: webmaster@ycua.org
Phone: 734-484-4600 ext. 107

Ypsilanti, MI - September 19, 2003 - The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) Air Quality Division has approved the Ypsilanti Community Utilities Authority (YCUA) Permit to Install a replacement sewage sludge incinerator at its wastewater treatment facility in Ypsilanti Township. This permit to install a fluidized bed incinerator, which will replace the current multiple hearth incinerator, is part of a $110 million wastewater plant expansion/improvements project.

The replacement incinerator will significantly reduce emissions and will be equipped with state-of-the-art emission control technology. The current incinerator will be taken off line in early 2004, dismantled, and the fluidized bed incinerator constructed at the same location. The new incinerator is expected to be operational in mid-2005.

For further information, contact Larry R. Thomas at YCUA, visit the YCUA website at www.ycua.org, or the MDEQ website at www.michigan.gov/deq.

For information: www.ycua.org or
Contact: webmaster@ycua.org
Phone: 734-484-4600 ext. 107