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For immediate release: April 25, 2005 (05-039)
Contact:
Jim Hudson,
Office of Drinking Water (360) 236-3131
Deanna Whitman, Communications Office 360-236-4022
Water systems receive Washington Drinking Water Week recognition
OLYMPIA – Four water systems in Washington are receiving awards from the state Department of Health for their commitment to providing our state with safe and reliable drinking water. The South Whidbey School District, Snohomish Public Utility District, Sentinel Gap Water Association and the Willapa Valley Water District Manager will be recognized during Drinking Water Week, May 1-7, 2005.
“It is a pleasure to honor these systems for their outstanding efforts,” said Denise Clifford, Office of Drinking Water Director. “They have gone above and beyond and deserve recognition.”South Whidbey School District - The South Whidbey School District water system on Whidbey Island provides drinking water to 1,700 students and staff. The school district is being recognized for taking an active role in educating students, teachers and the community about lead last fall after finding it in schools drinking water.
The district invited parents to a public education forum to discuss the issue. Information was presented by school board members, school staff, local public health and the Department of Health. Within a week, every school in the district was provided with bottled water.“The quality of a school’s drinking water has received local and national attention in the past year, and this school district did a great job of addressing the problem,” said Clifford. The award ceremony is at 9:15 a.m. on May 3 at the South Whidbey Primary School, 5476 S. Maxwelton Road, Langley.
Snohomish Public Utility District - The Snohomish Public Utility District (PUD) is receiving an award for “going above and beyond” to operate a quality water system. In addition to directly operating and managing 15 water utilities in Snohomish County, the PUD is recognized for its outstanding support of neighboring systems during emergencies. The reception is at 1 p.m. on May 3 at the Snohomish PUD; 2320 California Street, Everett; award ceremony at 1:30 p.m. in the Commission Room.
Sentinel Gap Water Association - The Sentinel Gap Water Association in Grant County is being recognized as the “most improved” water system. Last year this small community replaced its old, disintegrating water system with new facilities, including all distribution mains, the pump and control system, and a state-of-the-art reconstructed well head.
This project took years of work and funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development Program, the state’s Community Development Block Grant Program, consultants, water system operators and the Grant County Health District. The award ceremony is at 5:30 p.m. on May 2 at the Beverly Fire Hall (corner of Tacoma Street and Lower Crab Creek); reception and community pot luck dinner at 6 p.m.
Ray Klube, Willapa Valley Water District - For the first time, an individual certified water system operator is being recognized during Drinking Water Week. Ray Klube, operator for the Willapa Valley Water District in Pacific County, is being honored for his exemplary commitment to protecting the public.
Ray has operated and/or managed the district’s water system for 35 years. Ray started with the district under a high school work program. After graduating he became a full-time employee and a state-certified operator in 1973. Recently, Ray led the replacement of a more-than-30-year old pressure filtration system with a modern direct-filter system. The award ceremony is at 6 p.m. on May 4 at the Willapa Valley Grange, 290 Camp One Road, Raymond; reception to follow.
Governor Christine Gregoire has signed a Washington Drinking Water Week Proclamation (http://www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/dw/2005_gov_proc.pdf) that calls upon state residents to help protect drinking water sources from pollution, conserve water and get involved in local water issues. Drinking Water Week (http://www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/dw/drinking_water_week.htm) is available on the Department of Health Web site.
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