During their 2021 Rural Water Conference, Minnesota Rural Water Assoc. presented an Achievement Award to Tony Strande, chief operator for the Clear Lake/Clearwater Sewer Authority.

“We’re out of sight, out of mind, but it’s also nice to be appreciated,” said Strande. “During this whole pandemic we’re the guys who kept the water and sewer going.”

Strande began his 39 year career in the water and wastewater industry in 1982 when he attended St. Cloud Technical College’s Water/Wastewater (WET) Program. 

“Having grown up on a farm I’m not afraid of a little smell,” he said.

An internship in Monticello turned into a job with their wastewater department, then their water department. In 1990 he went to Becker, where he was water superintendent and ran the wastewater plant until 2005. He then worked for Clear Lake in their maintenance department for a year before moving to the Sewer Authority, where he’s been ever since.

The Minnesota Rural Water Assoc.’s Achievement Award is presented to a person who has applied innovative ideas, inventions, or procedures that have benefited the operation of a public water/wastewater systems and/or its customers. Strande was instrumental in bringing the Membrane Bio Reactor (MBR) into the Sewer Authority’s wastewater treatment plant.

“I like to look forward,” said Strande. “We were the first operational MBR in the state. The technology we were using was outdated and we needed some new technology to bring the plant into compliance. MBR is an ultra-filtration unit; our water comes out at probably 100 times cleaner than the river it goes into. It does a fantastic job.”

He was completely surprised when his name was called during the conference in August as the recipient of the 2021 Achievement Award.

“I had no idea,” He said. “It’s something you never expect.”

One of the things he’s most proud of is the crew he has to replace him when he retires at the end of the year, John Forsell and Spencer Notch.

“It’s taken a while to get the best fit for this place,” he said. “I believe we have a good crew here in place now and I have no reservations in retiring. Before I was anxious about leaving. I think the two we have now are going to be the future here.”

He’s also proud of the cleanliness of the facility and has been told by others that it’s the cleanest treatment plant they’ve seen.

“We take pride in our workplace,” he said.

There’s a lot that goes into the job that’s 24 hours a day 365 days a year. Employees may get a call to come in at 2 a.m. on a Sunday or have to stay hours later than usual. 

“Most of this is a technical job,” said Strande. “You have to be somewhat proficient in computers – SCATA Systems Control and Data Acquisition. You have to be a good mechanic, a part-time chemist, a biologist, and be responsible and dedicated.”

There’s also licenses to acquire and ongoing continual education. 

“You can’t take yourself too seriously in this business,” he said. “You’ve got to have some humor. It’s a dirty job but someone has to do it.”

Strande plans to work on his muscle cars during retirement as well as spend some time in Arizona during the winter. 

“I’m going to just relax,” he said. “But I’m sure people will find lots of things for me to do.”