HCWA wraps of 2024 with a collection of industry awards

HCWA wraps of 2024 with a collection of industry awards

The Henry County Water Authority (HCWA) put a bow on its 2024 program year by bringing home some of the most coveted system awards, as well as individual honors, during the year-end Fall Conference of the Georgia Association of Water Professionals (GAWP).

The HCWA has received GAWP Platinum Awards for its (Wastewater) Collection System and Water Distribution System, as well as a Platinum Award for its Walnut Creek Water Reclamation Facility Central Laboratory and a Gold Award for its Tussahaw Water Plant Laboratory. In addition, the Authority's Kelly Prescott-McDaniel and James C. Sims, Jr. received individual accolades as honored water professionals.

The GAWP Collection System and Water Distribution System Platinum Awards recognize those respective systems achieving the highest possible grade following a peer review by fellow water professionals. Platinum Awards recognize systems that grade out at 95% or higher on the annual evaluation of these respective operations for five consecutive years. The HCWA collection system has achieved this highest grade on its annual evaluation for 13 consecutive years, while the Distribution System has reached this mark for nine years straight.

The GAWP Collection System Platinum Award recognizes those utilities who strive to continually improve their sewer collection and conveyance systems through proper management, maintenance, and operations. The grading criteria follow practices that include preventative maintenance, system evaluation, rehabilitation programs, training, and more.

The GAWP Water Distribution System Platinum Award recognizes those utilities that excel in the management, operation, and maintenance of their water distribution system. According to GAWP officials, by achieving this award, the HCWA has demonstrated the highest quality water system operations for the benefit of its customers.

The GAWP Laboratory Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) Awards encourage the professional advancement of laboratories within the water industry in Georgia. The awards judging process provides an avenue for peers to exchange ideas, circulate technical expertise, and offer productive feedback. According to GAWP officials, this award recognizes those laboratories who are demonstrating outstanding quality assurance programs.

The GAWP Laboratory QA/QC Platinum Award for the Walnut Creek Water Reclamation Facility Central Lab reflects a grade of 95% or higher on its annual evaluation for five consecutive years. The GAWP Laboratory QA/QC Gold Award for the Tussahaw Plant Lab represents a grade of 95% or higher on its annual evaluation for the 2024 program year.

Kelly Prescott-McDaniel, HCWA Water Reclamation Compliance Supervisor, received the Ira C. Kelley Award, which recognizes a water professional who encourages and promotes advancements and achievements in the environmental laboratory field.

James C. "Cliff" Sims, Jr. was inducted into the GAWP Golden Manhole Society, which recognizes individuals who have made a significant contribution to the art and science of collection systems through their work in operations, maintenance, design, construction, management, planning, education, training, or certification.

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HCWA water professionals received several industry awards during the GAWP 2024 Fall Conference, including Platinum Awards for the highest graded Wastewater Collection and Water Distribution Systems.

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