Drinking Water Week: May 1-7, 2011

View Governor Gregoire's Drinking Water Week Proclamation

View News Release (April 26, 2011)

In celebration of Drinking Water Week, May 1-7, 2011, the Department of Health's Office of Drinking Water will recognize water systems and operators for their commitment to providing safe and reliable drinking water.

We asked stakeholders to nominate water systems or water works operators deserving of recognition. An Office of Drinking Water committee reviewed the nominations and our director's management team made the final selections.
 

Friend of Drinking Water:

Lewis County - Lewis County stepped up to manage and operate the City of Vader's troubled water system. The community could not pay for replacement parts, pipes and chemicals, and was ineligible for loans. By taking over the water system, Lewis County was able to secure about $1.3 million in grants and low-interest loans to pay for the repairs.

Photo (see enlargement): Lewis County Commissioner Ron Averill, far right, shares a moment during the celebration with, from left, Shirley Kook, Lewis County Public Works; Merilee Kenyon, Office Manager; John Strom, City of Vader Water System Operator; Lewis County Commissioner Bill Schulte; and Lewis County Commissioner Lee Grose.

Operator of the Year:

Kim Gubbe - The nomination for Kim Gubbe, operations manager for Thurston County Public Utility District #1 (PUD) says it all: "Kim is committed to ensuring that all of the PUD's customers have safe and reliable drinking water, and selflessly gives of her own time and resources to support this goal." Gubbe is the certified operator for more than 100 water systems. "She is proactive in relying on prevention as the first line of defense to avoid potentially health-threatening and costly problems," the nomination said.

Photo (see enlargement): Operator of the Year Kim Gubbe, center, celebrates her accomplishment with (from left) PUD General Manager John Weidenfeller, Office of Drinking Water Deputy Director Field Operations Clark Halvorson, Paul Pickett, Commissioner District 1; and Chris Stearns, Commissioner District 3.

Most Improved:

The Town of Endicott, Whitman County - population 289, was recognized for completing major improvements to its drinking water system. A new well ensures safe, reliable drinking water for residents. It replaces a well that had nitrate contamination. The town increased water storage for fire-fighting and fire flow capacity and cut its leakage rate by more than half, from 13.2 percent to 6 percent.

Photo: (see enlargement) Office of Drinking Water Director Denise Clifford, center, recognizes the Town of Endicott for improvements to its water system. From left are David Bilow, councilman; Verne Strader, mayor; Clifford, Mike Isaacs, waterworks operator; and Sue Bafus, clerk.

Lifetime Achievement:

Kathleen "Cas" Hancock of Concrete, who operates a number of water systems in Skagit and Snohomish counties, was recognized for her many contributions to the drinking water industry. She is often described as a plain-spoken, big-hearted dynamo with a penchant for bringing people together to solve problems.

Photo: Cas Hancock, center, received her Lifetime Achievement Award at a Skagit County Board of County Commissioners meeting. Among those congratulating Hancock from the Office of Drinking water were, from left, Derek Pell, assistant regional office manager; Bob James, regional manager; Nancy Feagin, regional engineer; and Jennifer Kropack, regional planner.

Grace Under Pressure:

Mason County Public Utility District #1 - In October 2010, E. coli was detected in the wells of Canal Mutual Water System and the Minerva Terrace Water System. The contamination resulted from heavy rainfall – 200 percent higher than normal. Both systems are operated by Mason County Public Utility District #1 (PUD). The PUD staff quickly alerted customers with hand-delivered notices, handed out bottled water, and worked with the state and county health departments as well as consultants. They worked long hours for weeks on end to resolve the contamination problems.

Photo: Office of Drinking Water Director Denise Clifford, lower left, congratulates Mason County PUD 1 employees for grace under pressure. Accepting the award are, from left, front row Jocelyne Gray, director of operations - water, and Brandy Milroy, engineering technician. Back row Roy Munch, lead water system operator; TJ Goos, water system technician; and Barney Bruff, water system technician.

Going Above and Beyond:

The City of Walla Walla - The City of Walla Walla's Public Works Department has a vision to leave a legacy of sustainable infrastructure for the future. The staff put together an extensive plan for water and sewer system replacement and street repairs. They produced informational documents, promoted the plan, and held public meetings to make citizens aware of the magnitude of the problems with the city’s aging water infrastructure. Construction began in 2010 and is expected to wrap up in 2015.

Photo: Ki Bealey, Public Works director, left, accepted the Drinking Water Week award at a Walla Walla City Council meeting from Denise Clifford, Office of Drinking Water director, right, and Maryanne Guichard, assistant secretary for the Environmental Health Division.