DOE reps will visit Wednesday in Garfield

Representatives of the Washington state Department of Ecology will be in Garfield Wednesday for a look at the town's wastewater treatment plant following the hiring of a new operator.

Reuel Klempel started two months ago, after a long process to find a Level II Operator which resulted in the threat of a fine from the DOE.

“They're gonna see that we're in a lot better shape than we were,” said Mayor Ray McCown. “Everything is so much better.”

Part of Klempel's work has included installing new equipment for daily tests for ammonia and fecal coliform, steam-cleaning and, when a sludge pump broke...