Henry County Times

Special to the Times This year thus far has been high- lighted by industry awards for the Henry County Water Authority (HCWA), as the Georgia Associa- tion of Water Professionals (GAWP) has recognized its em- ployees and facilities for superior achievements. Highlights of the GAWPAnnual Conference & Expo in Savannah in July included the Master Plan SpotlightAward for the HCWA, in recognition of the Authority’s 2015-2045 Water and Wastewater Master Plans. In addition, three HCWA employees were honored as well. Eric Osborne, HCWAWater Pro- duction Manager, received the Op- erator Meritorious Service Award from the American Water Works Association (AWWA). The AWWAMeritorious Operator is a water professional recognized for special performance in one or more of the following areas: (1) continuous compliance with pub- lic health standards in finished water; (2) consistent and outstand- ing contribution to plant mainte- nance; (3) development of new and/or modified equipment; (4) special efforts in the training of treatment plant operators; (5) spe- cial acts not directly related to water treatment, but which demonstrate dedication to the pub- lic beyond the normal operator’s responsibilities; and (6) consistent and outstanding contributions to operations and/or maintenance of distribution lines, pump stations, and reservoirs. In addition, Tony Carnell, HCWA Deputy Manager, was inducted into the GAWP 5-S Society, which is an elite group of water profes- sionals who have made a signifi- cant contribution to the art and science of Collection System Op- erations. Those contributions come in the form of operation, maintenance, design, construction, management, planning, education, training, or certification of collec- tion systems, as well as through service to GAWP and the Georgia Section of the American Water Works Association (GAWWA). During its Annual Conference, the GAWP also recognized Barry Brand, HCWA Tussahaw Plant Supervisor, with Life Member- ship, an exclusive award for water professionals with 30 years of practice in the industry and serv- ice to the Association. Earlier this year during the GAWP Spring Conference, the HCWABear Creek LandApplica- tion System received the top honor of Water Reclamation Facility of theYear in Georgia, within the cat- egory of facilities with 1.1 to 10 million gallons per day of treat- ment capacity. The Water Reclamation Facility of the Year Award is given to the best managed and best operated facilities in Georgia. Not only is the score from an annual review of the facility considered, but all as- pects of the facility’s performance, such as safety, maintenance, oper- ations, documentation, lab opera- tions, and industrial monitoring. The Bear Creek andWalnut Creek Water Reclamation Facilities both received GAWP PlatinumAwards as well, for achieving 100 percent permit compliance for at least five consecutive years. In addition, the HCWATussahaw and Towaliga Water Treatment Plants each received a Certificate ofAchievement for Best Operated Water Plant in Georgia in their re- spective categories. Those facili- ties also received GAWP Platinum Awards for achieving 100 percent permit compliance for 11 consecu- tive years. Finally, during the GAWP Spring Conference, the Authority’s Eric Osborne and LesaWalker, HCWA Operations Manager, were in- ducted into the inaugural class of the Golden Hydrant Society, which is an award society organ- ized by GAWWA for the recogni- tion of professionals in the drinking water industry. Each year, only five nominees are inducted into the Golden Hydrant Society. This year, two of the five members of the state’s water industry honor society hailed from the HCWA.As members of the inaugural class, Osborne and Walker and the other inductees will have their names added to a national registry held by AWWA. “I’m very proud of our employ- ees for their hard work and talents that have resulted in them being recognized as the best of the best, and all of our award winners are very deserving,” says Lindy Farmer, HCWAGeneral Manager. “Their commitment to theAuthor- ity and our customers shows how much they are invested in this community, as well as how much they are respected in our industry.” The Henry County Times August 8, 2018 Page 7 Henry Water Authority awarded at conference The HCWA Bear Creek Facility was selected as the GAWPWater Reclamation Facility of the Year, for being the best operated and best managed facility of its kind in Georgia. Receiving theAward on behalf of the HCWA are (l. to r.) James Cook, Roy Lewis, and Sherry Hannah. Special photo Inside Henry TOP QUALITY NAME BRAND • Household Items • Antiques • Furniture •Ladies • Mens • Children Items 770-957-8868 • 401 Racetrack Rd. • McDonough Monday - Saturday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Donʼt miss even lower discounts with the Color Tag Sales - EVERYDAY! Why Pay Retail!