More than 11 million gallons of wastewater is treated each day in Greenville. And no matter what, our operators at the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP), along with Environmental Compliance Coordinator JoEllen Gay and her lab staff, report to work.

"The lab has to run wastewater samples every single day," said JoEllen. "When we're one or two people short, or when there's snow on the ground, it doesn't matter - it has to be done."

JoEllen also praised her colleagues at the WWTP for their skill and dedication. "The staff here is so skilled in what they do," JoEllen said. "They just keep things going. They are wonderful. We are always trying to update things and make sure GUC remain compliant."

One of the ways in which JoEllen's staff keeps GUC in compliance with state and federal regulations is through our Industrial Pre-treatment Program. They regulate six large industrial customers in Pitt County.  These industries may have the potential to discharge wastewater that is harmful to our plant operations and the Tar River, so GUC is required to monitor and regulate those customers.

When wastewater enters the plant, it flows through a barscreen which removes large solids, such as rags and trash.  The wastewater then undergoes aeration which involves microorganisms that remove nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus that are not good for marine life. From there, the water goes through clarification, where the older microorganisms and solids are settled out.

"We don't use any chlorine," JoEllen said. "We pride ourselves on being 100% biological. Chlorine is a toxic chemical, so we use ultra violet radiation for disinfection."

UV disinfection isn't the only thing WWTP staff prides itself on. Public education about wastewater treatment is something that JoEllen takes personally.

"We have really vamped up our public education programs," she said. "We have local schools coming in for tours, and we work in conjunction with educational programs like Love a Sea Turtle, which teaches elementary and middle school students about leadership and environmental stewardship."

Sea turtles aren't the only animal JoEllen loves. The most recent addition to her family, Dallas, has her wrapped around his paws.

"I love him," she said. "He is a misfit we rescued from the pound. He's half lab and half basset hound. Dallas is just so sweet. When I come home, he's happy to see me; where as my teenage daughters could care less," she laughed.

When she's not at GUC, she loves spending time with her husband of 25 years, Tim; and their two daughters, Savannah, 19, and Caylan, 16.

"We pretty much have a blast wherever we go," JoEllen said. "We've been to Boone a lot as a family. Even to this day, at 19 and 16, Savannah and Caylan still love Tweetsie Railroad. We love the coast, and I love Beaufort. We could go anywhere and have a good time."

A native of Wilson, JoEllen attended Barton College where she double majored in Biology and Chemistry. Before coming onboard at GUC, she worked for private laboratories, substituted as a high school chemistry teacher, and worked at the City of Wilson Wastewater Treatment Plant for 15 years.

In addition to being a hard working scientist, JoEllen enjoys serving her church and the Wilson community. She teaches an adult Sunday school class twice a month, serves on the fundraising committee for the women's ministries, and helps raise money for the Wilson Pregnancy Center.

Despite staying extremely busy with work and family, she has found a job that she loves. "GUC is a wonderful company to work for. The people I work with are great. We are very laidback and the staff is brilliant."