Consumer Confidence Awards

We begin this Awards Presentation with the announcements of the Consumer Confidence Awards -- you know, that report on water quality that can be great communication tool. KRWA encourages you to use that report to communicate results. KRWA’s challenge to you is to not be bashful about telling your story. The Consumer Confidence Report is one vehicle to do that. This is the 4th year that KRWA has judged entries for the Consumer Confidence Reports. Each Award Winner receives a plaque and a monetary reward from KRWA.  The reports were judged on these criteria: Accuracy; meeting required language, readability and appearance and last, use as a public relations tool.

 

Consumer Confidence Awards	1st place	2nd place	3rd place
Rural Water districts and Privately Owned Systems	Cowley RWD No. 4	Public Wholesale District No. 4	Nemaha RWD No. 3
Municipalities under 3000 population	City of Nortonville	City of Wakeeney
Municipalities 3,000 to 25,000 population	City of Winfield	City of Larned
Municipalities over 25,000	Leavenworth Water Department	City of Manhattan	City of Garden City

Congratulations to all those who have found ways to make the CCR a public relations tool for their water utility.

 

Best Tasting Water in Kansas

Our next award is for the Best Tasting Water in Kansas. During the conference, a team of water experts, representing KDHE, KRWA and the Kansas Water Office -- judged the entries and after a preliminary round, the three finalists were:

City of Emporia
Public Wholesale No. 4
City of Winfield

And the winner is
Public Wholesale No. 4

A fresh sample of water from Public Wholesale No. 4 water will be entered into the National Rural Water Taste Contest in Washington, DC. in April. KRWA will be attending that and hopefully will bring home more fame and glory for Kansas at least something more than an empty jug. Last year, we were proud that the City of Emporia was one of 5 finalists nationally.

 

Rural Water Manager Our Rural Water Manager of the Year has a background in agriculture, a long history of serving his community and organizations. A big volunteer, he’s also spent countless hours of overtime at his plant. He was first employed when the system was constructed and he knows just about where every foot of pipeline was installed. Presently the system has additional construction in progress. He’s respected for his 20 years of experience … he has helped guide the management and operation of his system to be among the best in Kansas. We congratulate the Rural Water Manager of the Year, Sam Atherton Public Wholesale District No. 4

Municipal Operator Our municipal operator of the year has lived in his hometown his entire life. He’s unique, having worked on both water and wastewater and streets and every other municipal task, including --- catching dogs. He’s been a volunteer firefighter for nearly 20 years. He’s involved in his church and youth programs. When there’s a project, he’s in the middle of it. He’s got the job now that he’s wanted since he was a little boy .. being city superintendent. A former mayor says, “He is dang near genius!” An innovator, he has a knack for fixing nearly anything .. and he keeps a sense of humor .. adding that -- if he can’t fix it, he will fix it so no one else can! His unique skills allow him to look at something and then build it better… just like the poo cam that he has assembled for checking out the city’s sanitary wastewater lines. He’s a great guy … and a deserving candidate for recognition as KRWA’s Municipal Operator of the Year, We congratulate ... Paul Froelich City of Enterprise

Municipal Business Manager The next award is for Municipal Business Manager. He has been involved in the business of helping manage municipal government since 1989. He is highly regarded by his employees and he sets high standards and encourages everyone to be their best. He’s help guide improvements to water and wastewater utilities – he heart is in agriculture and the agri-economy of the local area and Kansas. Others would suggest he is a T V and Internet addict … but his heart has never left the farm… working with local businesses and industry .. working always, to get results. Congratulations to Allen J. Dinkel City of Hoisington

back to top Wastewater Utility Director The next award is the Wastewater Utility Director. Well, that’s just ONE of the titles that could be printed on this award. Our winner is equally qualified in water and gas services. He’s been active at the local, regional and state levels and has received meritorious service awards for his work. He and team members have always ranked at or near the top in water and wastewater operator competition statewide. He holds a Class IV wastewater certificate and Class III Water Operator’s certificate. He has overall responsibility for all phases of maintenance repair, and upkeep of city buildings, streets, equipment, utilities, property and furnishings. He is a "hands on" superintendent performing any duty required to get the job done .. and yet he still finds time to volunteer for many community functions. Congratulations to the Wastewater Utility Director of the Year ... Michael R. Gilliland City of Osage City

Rural Water Operator The next award is for Rural Water Operator. With nearly 130 miles of pipeline, an iron removal and softening plant, more than 800 customers and selling water to 3 other system, this operator works hard to get results. He enjoys his work because he wants it to be perfect. A Class II operator he is always striving to learn more – and when he returns from training sessions or conferences, he brings the information back and applies it. A promoter for growth and improvement of the system, he enjoys the rural water system. Life was not always this way as he was previously employed by a much larger city... and before that taught inmates in the state prison system KRWA congratulates the Rural Water Operator of the Year, James Jackson Jefferson RWD No.13

Rural Water Bookkeeper The next award is for Rural Water Bookkeeper of the Year. More than a bookkeeper, our winner does it all, from the daily routine of bookkeeping to preparing easements to negotiating with landowners, signing up new applicants, recording deposits and taking trouble calls. She began as a meter reader and took over full duties in the office in 1994. Her attention to detail with customers, board members and overall administrative duties help get results for this expanding water district. KRWA congratulates the Bookkeeper of the Year, Debra Smith Douglas RWD No. 3 back to top

Most Improved Water System This year’s conference theme fits our award winner to a “T”. How else to get results than to work with your neighbors? One Rural Water District in SE KS began service in 1963 with 150 customers. They received an initial loan from then FmHA for $303,000. A neighboring water district also began in 1963 and it continued to grow to eventually serve 600 customers through 400 miles of pipeline by 1994. In 2001, the smaller district approached the larger neighbor to ask to consolidate. Boards and members of each district voted to combine the two systems. In 2002, this Consolidated District extended service to 48 new customers living in an unserved area. The new users each paid $3000; the balance of the project was paid for from district funds – without fanfare or any pleas for grant funds. KRWA recognizes this district for rather remarkable growth though a combination of sound financial management, in-house construction and cooperative spirit with neighbors. Their operator has guided this system for 17 years. KRWA is pleased to announce its winner: Most Improved Water System Montgomery Consolidated RWD 1 Clark King, Manager, received award on behalf of the district.

Special Recognition Award Our next award is a Special Recognition Award. This year’s special recognition award fits the theme “Working Together.” It goes to a team. One winner is more of the operator and the other member is more of the administrator. The operator/manager brings an impeccable resume of qualifications including numerous experiences in the mechanical and electrical maintenance fields. He has served on the board of directors of the RWD for many years. He has provided tremendous assistance, much of it without compensation to the RWD. The administrator has provided this same RWD invaluable benefit thanks to his 34-years in the banking industry. For the past 12 years, he has and continues to assist the board and employees with financial management .. from moving to accrual accounting system to helping I the office at the end of each month .. These two guys have worked together to get results for their rural water district .. KRWA congratulates … Special recognition Award Winners.. Charles Nussbaum Shawnee RWD 3 and Rex Springer Shawnee RWD 3

Friend of Rural Water This next award is entitled "Friend of Rural Water". While KRWA makes many efforts with legislative initiatives, KRWA works with many other organizations and agencies to get results. KRWA presented this Friend of Rural Water to outstanding individuals who have made a great impact for our cities and rural water systems. From federal and state legislators and state agency personnel, this award recognizes “service” … This year’s award winner has provided tireless service. The award winner has more than 20 years experience working for the State. I want to announce the name because we want it to be a surprise.. Please join me in congratulating a great Friend of Rural Water .. Tina K. Rajala Kansas Water Office “Tina your work in managing the Water Conservation Program, and your completion of the Unaccounted For Water Assessment for the Kansas Water Plan has helped better target technical assistance. And while some of the systems may not realize it, your management of the Kansas Water Plan funded contract that KRWA operates goes a long way to help many systems maintain their financial capacity. Tina, KRWA only sees one of numerous contracts that report to you .. KRWA commends you for the efforts at improving water conservation efforts and your efforts also to map the rural water districts have been important assets. Thank you and “congratulations.”

Silver Faucet Award Gary Smith, Chief of Community and Business Programs, Rural Development, presented The Silver Faucet Award to Rural Water District No. 1 Smith County, KS This award recognizes the contributions by a local water system to the betterment of the community. back to top

The Conger Award The KRWA Board of Directors surprised General Manager Elmer Ronnebaum with the presentation of The Conger Award. This award is selectively presented to those persons who have provided invaluable leadership to the Association and development of its programs.