by Abigayle Sloan, ’07

The Grandville Clean Water Plant is overflowing with Grand Valley graduates who are leading the way in blue energy efforts.

Nine of the 14 employees at the plant have degrees from the university ranging from chemistry to natural resources management. Todd Wibright, ’91, oversees the crew as the superintendent of the facility that serves Grandville, Georgetown Township, Hudsonville and Jamestown Township in Ottawa County.

“We were looking for people who were excited about the environment that had some biology and chemistry backgrounds and Grand Valley is a great resource for filling that need,” said Wibright.

Almost immediately after graduation, Wibright signed on as an operator at the plant. He worked his way up the ranks, and was promoted to superintendent in 2005. It wasn’t long before his ambition for preserving the environment compelled him to assess the needs for a plant expansion. He found that the facility’s growth was imperative in order to accommodate the significant need for wastewater resources in the sprawling Grandville area.

“Water really does connect,” Wibright said. “People, businesses and our social structure are connected to water in some fashion. When you use water at home and you go out to a restaurant, most people don’t think about where it goes. It’s all connected to a series of pipes. We have more than 75 miles of piping.”

Pictured left to right are Todd Wibright, ’91; Fred Taylor, ’99; Tom Syswerda, ’99; Chris Guile, ’01; Bill Poelma, ’06; Jason Pullen, ’04; Scott Yonkers, ’05; and Brian Vu, ’04. Not pictured is Dan Boss, ’03.

The city of Grandville agreed to invest $25 million into the facility to double its size. With the plant’s development, the city installed the first anaerobic digester in Michigan. The digester is an egg-shaped tank that breaks down waste and converts it into fertilizer for local farmers. The digester also distributes methane gas to power a connected generator, which heats maintenance and laboratory buildings on the property. The entire multi-faceted concept is called “combined heat and power,” and it is estimated to save the city $100,000 per year.

“Wastewater comes to this central location and it is 99.5 percent water. The other 0.5 percent is organic material and excess nutrients. If all those nutrients had gone out to the environment, it would be a huge burden, causing algae blooms and other environmental issues,” Wibright explained.

In recent years, the Grandville Clean Water Plant has been nationally recognized for its dedication to environmental protection and sustainability. Wibright’s team has received more than five state and national awards for the plant’s unique process of treating wastewater, which is being duplicated in large cities like Boston, New York and Los Angeles.

A graduate of Grand Valley’s chemistry program in 2004, Brian Vu works with all aspects of the plant’s operations, including lab testing and making sure the facility meets the standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency. “We have a bunch of different parameters we test for, including phosphorous and ammonia. We are making sure that what we put out to the river doesn’t affect anybody downstream,” Vu said.

Approximately 6 million gallons of wastewater a day are cleaned and then returned into the Grand River watershed. By embracing the technology that makes sustainability and blue energy possible, Wibright and his staff of Lakers hope to ensure that future generations in West Michigan will enjoy the benefits of living near the water.

Noreen Myers, ’72, was recognized by the Alumni Association with the Distinguished Alumni Award at the April 25 winter commencement ceremony.

Myers was the first alumna appointed to the Grand Valley Board of Trustees; she served an eight-year term from 2005-2013. She is currently a sole practitioner specializing in employment law.

Brad Wallar, associate professor of chemistry, received the Outstanding Educator Award. Wallar was nominated by his former students who recognized his dedication as a professor, advisor and research mentor.

Both awardees also accepted accolades at a ceremony the evening before commencement with their friends, families and peers at the Alumni House.

Do you know someone who is deserving of the Distinguished Alumni or Outstanding Educator Award? Nominate them at www.gvsu.edu/alumni/awards.