MPS Employee Receives Scholarship to Further Education

Monday, July 20, 2009 - Dan Portlock, a part-time Water Plant Operator for MPS, received a $2500 scholarship from the Minnesota Section of the American Water Works Association (AWWA). Dan will use the scholarship toward attaining his master’s degree at NDSU in environmental engineering. Dan graduated from NDSU with a civil engineering degree in May, 2009. He intends on continuing to work part-time at the MPS treatment plant throughout his graduate studies. Dan has been employed by MPS since the spring of 2008.

For his graduate research, Dan intends on investigating the formation of bromate at the MPS treatment plant. MPS water treatment plant is in compliance with current Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations for this contaminant. However, Dan’s research may reveal cost saving measures through optimizing control strategies the treatment facility uses in meeting the EPA regulation. Bromate is a disinfection by-product that is a suspected carcinogen for humans. It can be found in treatment facilities that use ozone or produce bleach on-site for water disinfection.

MPS water plant has over a twenty year history of hiring local university students to assist in operations. Typically, students studying in science or engineering are hired. In addition to helping with MPS operations, students may be attracted into the water and wastewater field. Prior to Dan, other students working for the MPS water plant have received scholarships from the Minnesota Section AWWA. Dan learned of his scholarship in early-July.

Posted by: MPS Water Plant Supervisor, Troy Hall