Municipal Water Plant Superintendent Award | Bookkeeper of the Year | City Administrator of the Year | Manager of the Year | Friend of Rural Water | Municipal Wastewater Operator of the Year | Operator of the Year | City Clerk of the Year | Best Tasting Water in Kansas | Most Improved System | Silver Faucet Award

Leonard Nissen, Manager of Nemaha RWD 4, is congratulated by Chuck Banks, State Director of USDA Rural Development.  USDA awarded its 33rd Annual Silver Faucet Award to the District at the 2007 KRWA conference.

Nemaha County RWD 4 receives USDA’s Silver Faucet Award

The dedication by local board members, staff and others to organize and develop Rural Water District No. 4, Nemaha County, was recognized this past week as the USDA Rural Development presented its annual “Silver Faucet Award” to the project. The presentation was made during ceremonies at the annual Kansas Rural Water Association conference and exhibition held at Century II Convention Center in Wichita.

In presenting the award, USDA Rural Development program chief Gary Smith stated: “Nemaha Rural Water District No. 4 knows the meaning of responsibility, dedication and customer service. They took responsibility for the decline in their area’s drinking water and created a system that would serve and sustain their area. Their dedication to the community has been exhibited by maintaining reasonable user rates and sound operation of the system. Their customer service is evident by maintaining an average of less than 15 percent in annual water loss in the last four years.”

The District was incorporated in 1990. At the time, Nemaha County Extension and Kansas Rural Water Association supported the organization and planning for the project. Local leaders also worked closely with USDA Rural Development in development of the project that received USDA loan and grant funding in 1994 in the amount of $2.64 million. The project included the development of a new water system from wells to storage to distribution. Construction was completed in 1995; the system began providing water service in early 1996.

The District serves 230 rural customers. This is 150% of the original projected number of users; the District now also sells water to the City of Goff.

Leonard Nissen, Manager of the District, accepted the award. Directors serving on the board include: Mark Winkler, Steve Hermesch, Carl Reiff, David Wehner and Rick Heinen. Leo Wessel, Goff, assists with maintenance of the project.