For immediate release: May 1, 2008 (08-067)

Contacts:
Carolyn Cox, Drinking Water 360-236-3162
Gordon MacCracken, Communications Office 360-236-4072                                                 

Drinking water heroes were leaders when it counted

Winners hail from Spanaway, Eatonville, Mount Vernon, Washougal, Spokane Valley

OLYMPIA — Spanaway Water Co. Manager Jeff Johnson was at home nursing a nasty cold when the call came: Employees had just gotten the word that E. coli bacteria had been detected in some routine water samples.

Within a few hours, Johnson and the Spanaway Water Co. staff had worked with the state Department of Health to issue news releases in time for the evening news, alerting the 20,000 people served by the water system that there might be a problem. They worked with state and local agencies to notify schools and food service establishments, set up a station for customers to get drinking water, and staffed an after-hours call center.

Johnson and his staff will receive one of five awards the Department of Health is presenting during Drinking Water Week, a national observance that highlights the value of water service in protecting public health, fire protection, support for the economy, and overall quality of life. Gov. Chris Gregoire has proclaimed May 4-10 as Drinking Water Week in Washington.

“Assuring safe and reliable drinking water requires commitment and dedication,” said Secretary of Health Mary Selecky. “These water systems operators went above and beyond to protect the health of their customers.”

For their efforts, Johnson and staff will receive the Office of Drinking Water’s “Grace Under Pressure” Award. Selecky will present the award at 2:30 p.m. May 8, at company headquarters, 18413 B St. E., Spanaway.

Award winners were nominated by peers and Office of Drinking Water staff. The other winners:

·         Edward Bush, who recently retired as water system manager for the City of Washougal in Clark County, will receive the “Lifetime Achievement Award.” During his 30-year career, he spearheaded water system initiatives and improvements, provided leadership in professional associations, and worked to improve service, education, accountability, and professionalism. The award will be presented at 1 p.m. May 5 at the Camas Police Department Community Room, 2100 NE 3^rd Ave., Camas.

·         Sharon Germano, who led the Forest Glen Estates homeowners association’s efforts to overhaul its failing water system, will receive the “Going Above and Beyond” award. The Forest Glen resident, who had no experience running water systems, volunteered to obtain grants and loans to finance construction, oversaw system improvements, and guided the community through water outages and health advisories. Today, the Pierce County development has an improved water system that can handle peak demands. The award will be presented at 4:30 p.m. May 8 at Ohop Mutual, 34014 Mountain Hwy., Eatonville.

·         Lorna Parent, environmental health specialist for the Skagit County Health Department, is the “Friend of Drinking Water” recipient. For more than 20 years, she has helped towns such as Rockport, Big Lake and Marblemount obtain safe, reliable drinking water. Her efforts to get access to drinking water data for local health departments contributed to development of the state Department of Health’s drinking water internet database. Parent will be honored at 3:30 p.m. May 7 at the Skagit Room, 1800 Continental Place, Mount Vernon.

·         Kathy Small, manager of Pasadena Park Irrigation District No. 17 in the Spokane Valley, is “Operator of the Year.” Small not only led efforts to rehabilitate a water system with one of the state’s highest leakage rates, she documented the steps she took and calculated savings in pumping costs as well as water conserved for future growth. Small then created a training course to help other systems tackle leakage issues. She’s also being recognized for a team-building management style that inspires others to give their best and for service through professional and educational organizations. Small will receive the award at 2 p.m. May 8 at 9227 E. Upriver Drive, Spokane.

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