For Immediate Release | Official Press Release

PRESS RELEASE

OFFICE OF THE MAYOR

36601 Ford Road | Westland, Michigan | 48185

Office 734.467.3200 | Fax 724.721.2310

WWW.CITYOFWESTLAND.COM

Westland Employees Achieve Difficult State Water Certification

Pictured Above (Left to Right) : Mayor William R. Wild, Christopher Payzant, Michael Dittmar and DPS Director Ramzi El-Gharib

Westland, MI - Under the State of Michigan Safe Drinking Water Act (Part 19) for supervision of the City's water distribution system through its Operator-In-Charge (OIC) must, in accordance with State law, possess a Michigan S-1 license. The S-1 licensing of the OIC is required of all communities with a population greater than 20,000. The Water Distribution System certification licensing is graduated with "S" licenses starting at an S-4 and increasing to the OIC certification of S-1.

Mayor Wild is pleased to report that two City employees have successfully obtained the difficult state S-1 license. Foreman Michael Dittmar, a 14-year employee and Christopher Payzant, a 22 year employee have successfully passed the rigorous examination requiring information in a number of areas related to water distribution systems and earned their S-1 licenses.

"The City of Westland is fortunate to have City employees with this advanced level of training. I am confident they can help provide oversight of the City's vital water distribution system and ensure compliance with State regulations;" commented Mayor William R. Wild. "Further, considering that in the entire State of Michigan there are only 560 individuals with an S-1 license, Westland is fortunate to have employees with the knowledge and expertise required of an S-1 operator in charge helping provide oversight of this essential service to the residents and businesses in the City;" Wild concluded.

For more information, contact Aubrey Berman, Administrative Secretary, at (734) 467-3200.

The City of Westland is the 10th largest city in Michigan with a population of over 84,000. The city's residential development is an excellent blend of single family homes, apartments and condominiums. The broad selection of housing opportunities is complimented by over 1500 acres of well-maintained parks and nature trails as well as a highly rated municipal golf course. Also available is a skate park, ice arena, a state-of-the-art Library and novel city park themes that are fun and family-friendly.

Westland has the location, land, infrastructure, and leadership, under Mayor William R. Wild to attract new industry and help existing businesses redevelop properties and to maintain competitiveness in today's global economy. Six modern platted industrial parks on 320 acres are served by class "A" internal roads, with up to date utilities and rail access available within two of the parks. Westland is conveniently located within the center of southeastern Michigan's expressway system, minutes north of Detroit Metropolitan Airport, and ideally located between downtown Detroit and Ann Arbor.

Westland is the area's premier "Shopping and Dining Destination". Westland Shopping center, one of the country's original four regional malls, boasts 80 retail stores and has anchored Westland's commercial district for more than 30 years. Westland's diversity and progressive planning offers residents a wide variety of life experiences, and make Westland truly the "All American City".