PROJECT SUMMARY
In 1990, the City of Corning was under a "cease and desist" order from the State of California, due to operational and effluent quality problems with their wastewater facilities. The treatment plant was running at near-full capacity, due to its need to provide full treatment of wastewater from a nearby olive processing plant, the town's main industry. There were problems also with high levels of chlorine and ammonia in the treated effluent. A costly plant expansion seemed inevitable for this city of 6,200 residents.

To address the problem, the City entered into a five-year contract with ECO Resources in October of that year, with the objective of improving efficiencies and compliance without the need for an expansion of the facilities. ECO Resources worked with the State of California to modify the plant's permit, and the company developed new monitoring systems for ammonia and chlorine.

In the following years, ECO Resources implemented a variety of innovative programs and cost-effective services that have kept the City's wastewater collection and treatment systems running efficiently and in full compliance with all regulatory requirements. To further improve efficiency and performance of the wastewater treatment systems, ECO Resources implemented a computerized preventive maintenance program. The service life of clarifier rotors and other critical plant components was dramatically increased (in some cases as much as tenfold), thus reducing the City's need for major capital improvements. ECO Resources recently helped the City fund and implement the rehabilitation of the sewage lift station.

The quality of ECO Resources' service earned the company an early five-year renewal of its original contract in 1993 and, in 1997, a seven-year extension.

As part of its original contract with Corning, ECO Resources retained the former City employees. One such employee has received several promotions over the years and now serves as District Operations Manager for the company. ECO Resources, as part of its employee development program, funded the educational expenses of this employee in earning a Grade 5 certification in wastewater treatment (highest level attainable) from the State of California.

The Corning wastewater treatment plant and staff have earned numerous awards from the Northern Sacramento Valley Section of the California Water Environment Association (CWEA), including Plant of the Year (multiple times), Collection System of the Year, Laboratory Technician of the year, and Operator of the Year. In addition, the CWEA honored ECO Resources with an education award, recognizing the company's efforts to increase public awareness of the importance of efficient wastewater treatment. In keeping with a policy of community involvement and civic support, ECO Resources recently provided the necessary labor for a city revitalization project, constructing dozens of brick planters and benches to enhance the downtown area's appearance.

The City's response to ECO Resources' efforts has been overwhelmingly positive. "Hiring ECO Resources was one of the best things that the City ever did," says Tom Russ, Corning's Director of Public Works. "I consider them an extension of our own City staff." That, perhaps, best summarizes not only the success of ECO Resources' relationship with Corning, but also the ultimate goal of all public-private partnerships.