Coeur d’Alene wastewater superintendent to retire

Coeur d’Alene’s longtime wastewater superintendent, Sid Fredrickson, is retiring after 30 years with the city.

Fredrickson, 70, joined the city in November 1986 as superintendent of streets. He began his tenure with the wastewater department in 1991.

He oversaw six upgrades at the wastewater plant, which dates to 1939, to improve its function and comply with state and federal rules. The result was better odor control, improved disinfection and ammonia controls, and lower phosphorous levels in treated water released into the Spokane River.

“Under his steady leadership, our wastewater facilities have continued to be at the forefront of preserving public health and the environment. We’re very proud of his work and wish him well in retirement,” Mayor Steve Widmyer said in a statement Friday.

Fredrickson was given the William D. Hatfield Award from the Water Environment Federation and the Pacific Northwest Clean Water Association in 2013. The award is for outstanding performance and professionalism.

Fredrickson personally led hundreds of tours of the facility for schoolchildren, higher education officials and other community groups.

He served on the Coeur d’Alene School Board from 2002 to 2012.

He is set to retire at the end of the year. The city will host an open house for Fredrickson from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Dec. 14 at the Library Community Room, 702 E. Front Ave.