PPG Aerospace Huntsville facility earns water excellence award

August 1, 2005 - PPG Aerospace received an Excellence in Industrial Treatment Award from Alabama’s Water Environment Association (AWEA) in recognition of exemplary wastewater treatment at its Huntsville facility in 2004.

The plant, which produces aircraft and specialty windows, was honored in the category of physical and chemical treatment of wastewater. The Huntsville plant generates nearly 70,000 gallons of wastewater daily from glass and acrylic cutting, coating and finishing operations to produce aircraft and specialty windows.

“We are proud to receive this award from Alabama’s Water Environment Association because we share a commitment to protect our water supplies,” said Mike Morgan, Huntsville plant manager. “Receiving this honor is a testament to the success of our efforts here at Huntsville. You can be assured that we will continue to maintain the high standards we have demonstrated.”

The plant’s waste minimization program includes water reuse, secondary containment facilities, automatic pH controls, and intensive safety and training efforts. Before discharge to the Huntsville sewer system, wastewater is treated with polymers and pH adjusted to remove non-hazardous metals as sludge. The de-watered sludge is then sent for disposal.

Alabama companies with perfect or near-perfect regulatory records are nominated by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management for AWEA’s annual awards. Nominees complete questionnaires and undergo site review. Winners are chosen in up to four categories: physical treatment, physical and chemical treatment, physical and biological treatment, and advanced treatment.