Tukwila, Maple Valley residents honored for service at King County wastewater treatment plants

2005 Archived News

Two King County employees who help treat sewage from more than 1.4 million people have been chosen as employees of the year for 2004 at the region's two wastewater treatment plants in Seattle and Renton.

Between them, Denise Bulbula of Tukwila and Frank "Pep" Stratton of Maple Valley have 27 years of direct experience in protecting public health and the environment.

Bulbula is an operator at the West Point Treatment Plant in Seattle. Bulbula monitors and controls treatment equipment at the plant and at off-site facilities such as pump stations and wastewater flow regulators. The plant treats wastewater from Seattle, north King County and part of south Snohomish County.

Bulbula is the definition of reliability, according to her supervisor, James Sagnis. Whatever needs to be done, Bulbula can always be counted on to do it, Sagnis said. He emphasized the word "always."

In her eight years with the utility, Bulbula has displayed dedication to her job and an exceptional work ethic, Sagnis said. Her positive attitude is also an asset that benefits her entire crew.

Stratton is an electrical instrumentation lead at the South Treatment Plant in Renton. He maintains and repairs treatment process instruments and equipment at the plant and 25 offsite pump stations. The plant treats wastewater from east and south King County and parts of south Snohomish County and northeast Pierce County.

Supervisor Steve Davidson said Stratton is the most competent craftsperson he's ever worked with. Stratton has worked 19 years for the utility.

Besides his technical expertise, "Pep is just one of the nicest persons," Davidson said. "He treats everyone fairly." Stratton earned his nickname during his younger days, a reference to his boundless energy. The name is still fitting, Davidson said. "He's phenomenal."

An employee committee at each plant chooses one of the four Employees of the Quarter selected each year as its Employee of the Year.

King County's Wastewater Treatment Division protects public health and water quality by serving 17 cities, 17 local sewer agencies and more than 1.4 million residents in King, Snohomish and Pierce counties. Formerly called Metro, the regional wastewater treatment utility has been preventing water pollution for nearly 40 years.