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Manhattan, Kansas wastewater plant wins three prestigious awards

Teri Hansen

22 Oct 2025 • 1 min read

Front Row, From Left: KWEA Past President Alex Darby; Interim Director of Public Utilities Randy DeWitt; Biosolids/Lift Station Supervisor Daniel Tidwell, Environmental Compliance Manager Abdu Durar, KWEA Plant Operations & Maintenance Committee Chair Dave Harper; Back Row, From Left: Wastewater Plant Operators Supervisor Eugene Morehead, Wastewater Treatment Plant Superintendent Clint Bivens, Wastewater Treatment Plant Mechanics Supervisor Tim Grecu, Environmental Compliance Specialist Jaden Groene, and Environmental Compliance Specialists Ben Patterson, receive awards on behalf of the City at an August 27 awards luncheon in the Sunflower Ballroom at Hotel Topeka.

MANHATTAN, Kan. — The city's Department of Public Utilities earned three state and national awards this year for its wastewater treatment and management practices, marking the second consecutive year the department has received all three honors.

The Manhattan Wastewater Treatment Plant was recognized by the Kansas Water Environment Association with two awards: the Class 5 Wastewater Treatment Plant Award, given to facilities processing more than 3 million gallons daily, and the Outstanding Biosolids Management Program award. The department received the accolades at an Aug. 27 ceremony in Topeka.

The plant also was honored in July by the National Association of Clean Water Agencies with its Peak Performance Platinum Award, recognizing the facility's 100% compliance record and zero permit violations over seven years.

"This is the third consecutive year that the plant received the national award," said Randy DeWitt, interim director of public utilities.

The city's Environmental Compliance Manager Abdu Durar and other department staff accepted the awards on behalf of Manhattan.

The NACWA award specifically recognizes the plant's performance related to its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit, which is required for wastewater facilities to discharge into U.S. waterways. The permit establishes requirements to prevent discharges from harming water quality or public health.

The plant's streak of compliance and performance marks a significant achievement for the city's public utilities operations. Manhattan previously received the biosolids award in 2010, 2011, 2015, 2021, 2022 and 2024, while earning the Class 5 treatment plant award in 2001, 2002, 2015 and 2024.