Drinking Water Week awards celebrate those who provide safe water

Responding to vandalism or making sure bacteria doesn’t get into tap water, Washington’s drinking water professionals face challenges every day while providing safe, reliable drinking water to the 5 million citizens on public water systems. The Department of Health Office of Drinking Water (ODW) recognized several of these outstanding individuals and organizations for their efforts during National Drinking Water Week, May 3-9.

The "Grace Under Pressure" award recognizes how well Cindy Jones (left), operations manager, Eric McCrandall (center), facilities manager, and Floyd "Gus" Nolte, executive director, responded after an intruder poisoned the well at the Drug Abuse Prevention Center near Castle Rock last year. The staff kept residential drug treatment patients calm and safe during a month-long ordeal that involved a criminal investigation, taking more than 100 water samples, bringing in an alternate water supply and portable showers and toilets, and ultimately cleaning the Center's reservoir and distribution system. The crime remains unsolved.

Brad Lake and Sean Bauer, City of Kent: "Friends of Drinking Water"

ODW Director Denise A. Clifford recognized Brad Lake (right) and Sean Bauer as "Friends of Drinking Water" for their exceptional commitment to providing safe, reliable drinking water to customers in the City of Kent and neighboring water systems. As Public Works Water Superintendent, Lake promoted the idea of Kent providing certified operator services to neighboring systems. He devoted his own time to help resolve their water issues and to develop regional planning groups. As Water Quality Supervisor, Bauer facilitated many of the improvements to failing systems surrounding Kent. In addition to working for the city, Bauer provides contract operator services to three small public water systems. He is a member of the Operator Certification Advisory Committee and actively promotes drinking water issues.

Cary Eller, water quality program coordinator for Chelan County Public Utility District, is the "Operator of the Year." Eller manages the PUD’s main water system and several other district-owned systems. He also works as a contract operator and manages 12 water systems in Chelan, Douglas, and Grant counties. He took on systems with no operators and those with challenging problems such as arsenic. Eller earns praise for being conscientious and effective, and focusing on preventing rather than reacting to problems.

Port of Walla Walla Commissioners Fred Bennett (left) and Paul Schneidmiller celebrate Drinking Water Week with ODW Director Denise Clifford. The Port was recognized for "Going Above and Beyond" by developing the Burbank Business Park Water System. The $3.5 million project offers a central water system for the business park and its neighbors, which helped eliminate individual wells. The Port now supplies water to the Columbia School District, which allowed the district to stop using nitrate-contaminated wells. The Port also plans to provide a better water source for the 100 residential customers of the Columbia View Water System in Burbank.

If you have questions about Drinking Water Week, please call or email Donna Lynch (360) 236-3167.