CULLMAN, Ala. – The Cullman City Council on Monday evening recognized the Cullman Wastewater Treatment Plant for achieving top ranking in the state among facilities using bio-filter/trickling filter systems. Councilman and Utilities Committee Chairman David Moss presented the Alabama Water and Pollution Control Association’s 2025 “Best Operated Plant Award” plaque to Plant Superintendent Jake Calloway.
Moss told the audience, “This isn’t something that’s taken lightly. They crunch a lot of data, they measure a lot of everything that’s measurable, and we rated the top in the state, so (it’s) something we should all be very proud of.”
After the meeting, Calloway told The Tribune that inspectors looked at “almost every aspect of the plant: lab results, how well we stay in line with ADEM requirements, the condition of our equipment, how effective our treatment processes are, cleanliness and maintenance of the plant, odor, safety and organization.”
Said Calloway, “The inspectors who came seemed to be impressed by pretty much everything. The main thing that they kept repeating was how clean and maintained the plant was.”
This is the second consecutive year for Cullman’s plant to receive the award.
Other council business
The council approved a 10-year tax abatement for an unnamed local automotive parts manufacturer for an upcoming $8 million facility expansion that should create 25 new jobs. Such abatements have become common practice across the country in relations between manufacturers and local governments, and still require the company to pay all applicable taxes designated for local education.
The council also approved a special event permit for street preacher Glenn Hurley to preach at the intersection of Third Street Southwest (U.S. Highway 278) and Second Avenue Southwest (U.S. Highway 31) from 2:45-5:15 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 10, 2025.
The Cullman City Council meets on the second and fourth Mondays of every month, at 7 p.m. in the city hall auditorium. The public is invited to attend.
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