WICHITA, Kan. — ARAMARK Uniform Services recently upgraded the wastewater treatment system at its facility here in response to the city’s revised wastewater discharge regulations.
Corporate spokeswoman Sarah Jarvis reports that the system was up and running as of Aug. 15. “ARAMARK is committed to improving our overall environmental performance,” says Jarvis. “This upgrade will allow us to continue maintaining our compliance with the city’s regulations.”
Rebecca Gagnon-Lewis, Wichita’s water and sewer pretreatment administrator, says that ARAMARK has always been responsive to the city’s concerns about water quality. “The completion of their new system was right on schedule,” she says. “I can’t say enough great things about how well it’s been working.”
The new treatment system represents a substantial investment by ARAMARK. According to a Wichita Eagle story earlier this year, the upgrade is valued at more than $1 million.
“ARAMARK’s water utility bills were a bit high with the old system,” says Gagnon-Lewis. “The new system will definitely help the company to save on water utility costs.”
In addition to cutting costs and bringing ARAMARK’s treatment system up to local standards, the new system will also address ongoing pH issues. It will also safely process lead from wastewater, important because some of ARAMARK’s clients return laundry that’s been exposed to lead, according to Gagnon-Lewis.
ARAMARK Uniform Services treats more than 1.5 billion gallons of water annually and operates more than 40 full-scale wastewater treatment systems.
ARAMARK has been operating in Wichita since the late 1980s when it acquired and consolidated several local laundry facilities. The local facility employs 100 people and provides more than 2,000 businesses with uniforms and restaurant linens, as well as reusable mops, towels and entranceway mats.
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