Our PBSD operators, Duane Dehn and Ryan Faragher, work closely with the plant operators.
Duane has been with the plant since its inception and ran the previous system which relied on a
series of treatment ponds below Hwy 13. Doug Belanger, co-owner of Birch Street Septic, said:
“Duane Dehn has provided a great opportunity for septic haulers and the Greater Bayfield
Wastewater Treatment Plant. He worked endlessly maintaining the ponds and worked to
prevent overloads at the ponds.”

GBWWTP is successful because of the support of PBSD users, who include customers directly
connected to the plant and those who have their holding tanks or septic systems pumped and
their waste hauled to the plant by local haulers. Hauled waste usage has doubled over the past
20 years. Birch Street Septic appreciates having a local waste treatment plant as it is less costly
than hauling to other facilities and keeps its payments circulating in the local economy. #2
Septic hauls waste collected from residential and business customers north of Washburn. Jen
from #2 Septic calls the GBWWTP: “A great facility to use and great people to work with!” The
plant’s services have facilitated the growth of both residential and business development
throughout the district, which has positively impacted local tax revenues.
GBWWTP requires periodic replacement and upgrade of its facilities. This year the System
Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) system will require replacement. SCADA is the brains
and communication system that controls the operation of the plant. This system is twenty years
old and has become outdated. Replacement parts aren’t available, and if a problem arose with
the system, it may lead to failure. Replacing the SCADA system is a priority for 2025. We
appreciate the support of all our PBSD users in helping to keep the waters of Lake Superior
clean!