82nd Annual Arkansas Waterworks & Water Environment Association Conference
Bill HagenBurger, P.E.
The 82nd Annual Arkansas Waterworks & Water Environment Association Conference, Short
School and Exposition took place April 28 – May 2 at the Convention Center in Hot Springs,
Arkansas. This year’s chair was Howell Anderson, Manager of Engineering Services for Little
Rock Wastewater Utility, and the conference theme was “Pride Through Performance.” The
weather was perfect, Hot Springs was beautiful, and the conference was a big success.
The conference started Sunday, April 28th, first thing in the afternoon with the expo, AWEA
business meeting, the opening session and the board meeting. The Meet and Greet began at 4:15
p.m. with the highlight being the drinking water contest. This year’s District winners included
Russellville, Searcy Water Utilities, City of Rogers, Hope Water & Light, and Paragould. The
clear water pumped from the Wilcox group and Memphis Sand aquifers proved too hard to beat
and the 2013 Drinking Water Contest Winner was Paragould. Finishing out the Top 3 was the
City of Rogers in second and Russellville in third. This year’s judges included Jeremy Rowe –
Arkansas Environmental Training Academy, Josh Freeman – quarterback for the Tampa Bay
Buccaneers…just kidding, he is with Arkansas Rural Water Association, and Gerald Saunders –
Arkansas Department of Health. Good luck to Paragould at the Water Taste Contest to be held at
the 2013 Southwest Section Annual Conference & Exposition this coming October 13-15th.
Monday morning started with the Keynote Speakers. This year the Conference included two
keynote speakers. Chad Pregracke, President and founder of Living Lands & Waters and author
of “From the Bottom Up” (2007 National Geographic Society), who talked about how over the
last 15 years, his crew and over 70,000 volunteers have removed seven million pounds of
garbage out of our nation’s rivers. The other keynote speaker was Steve “Wild Man” Wilson,
who’s known as “Wild Man” for his role as coordinator of the Arkansas Game and Fish
Commission’s Project WILD, a conservation education program. Wilson also is the host and coproducer of “Talkin' Outdoors at the Corner café,” a 30-minute weekly television program, and
producer of “Call of the Wild,” a weekly statewide radio broadcast.
Following the Keynote Speakers, the attendees had a choice of activities to attend to make this a
rewarding conference. These included technical sessions, the equipment ROADeo, the
Operations Challenge, the Exhibit Hall or simply networking and catching up with other
professionals in the water and wastewater industry. The spouses were off to enjoy Hot Springs
and the spouse program. As usual, the technical sessions were full of insightful and interesting
topics in the water and wastewater fields. This year’s conference included 104 technical sessions
focusing on leadership, safety, regulations, laboratory, water and wastewater treatment and just
about anything that water and wastewater professionals can use to become more knowledgeable
and effective. The Equipment ROADeo was dominated this year by Little Rock Wastewater
taking all but one of the nine podium spots. The Exhibit Hall continued to have the latest and
greatest equipment and technology for use in the water and wastewater industry. I sometimes
wonder if the internet will bring an end to the trade show, but nothing beats the value of seeing a
piece of equipment or instrument firsthand and talking with a live person. The use of the internet
and the exhibition allows us to just make better decisions.
The Water Awards Luncheon was held Tuesday at the Embassy Suites. This year’s keynote
speaker was Blake Weindorf, the current SWAWWA Chair. Blake started with a brief history of
the Southwest Section, mentioning that in 2007 the Section hired its first Executive Director,
Harold Seifert. Blake recognized Harold and then asked the luncheon attendees to show their
appreciation for his efforts with a round of applause. Harold will retire from his position as
executive director after this year’s SWAWWA Annual Conference in the fall. Blake then
discussed how the Southwest board has hired Don Broussard as Harold’s replacement. Don is a
past Vice President of the American Water Works Association (AWWA) and will do an
excellent job as executive director even if he is from Louisiana. Blake then paid tribute to two of
his biggest professional influences who recently passed away. First was Jim Harvey, former
chief executive officer of Central Arkansas Water and a Jackson County farmer, and second
Bobby Price, who influenced Blake to get involved with the Southwest Section. Blake then
talked about two national AWWA awards which were presented to Arkansans at this year’s
AWWA National Conference. Joseph Tilton of Searcy is executive director of Ghana West
African Missions and was awarded the AWWA Award of Merit. To receive this award,
nominees must work outside the water profession and demonstrate outstanding service in support
of the principles of AWWA in providing better water for people. Presented the AWWA
Diversity Award was Central Arkansas Water. This award recognizes an organization that has
created, promoted, and maintained diversity within an organization and effectively utilizes each
individual’s talents.
Following Blake’s keynote address Howell Anderson, chair, presented Blake with an
appreciation certificate. Then the water awards were presented by Howell and Ashley Barr, Vice
Chair. Water small system awards went to the City of Stephens, XNA Regional Airport, and the
City of Rector. Bob L. King from the City of Prairie Grove was awarded the Water Outstanding
Achievement Population less than 5,001 and Spencer Oyemaja of Searcy Water was awarded
Water Outstanding Achievement Population more than 5,000. Stacy Cheevers of Beaver Water
District was awarded the Water Works Manager of the Year.
Tuesday evening concluded with the conference Banquet & Kellogg Award Ceremony. This was
the 9th AWW&WEA Annual Conference that I have attended but my first Conference Banquet. I
found the Banquet to be very enjoyable and it was clear to see the friendships that have
developed over the years in the Arkansas water and wastewater professions. Perry Nelson
announced the amount of money raised for Water For People (WFP) at this year’s conference -some very impressive numbers. The conference raised $21, 736 for WFP with over $7,500
coming from the Northwest District alone and over $2,000 coming from Searcy Water Utilities. I
am beginning to realize that a conference is not complete without Les Patterson calling the Hogs.
Thanks Les! Woooooooooo, Pig! Sooie! After the Hog Call, Lisa Ellington and Larry Oelrich
announced this year’s inductee into the Glen T. Kellogg Water & Wastewater Hall of Fame,
Alan Fortenberry. Lisa did an excellent job in defining the person behind the name of the Award
and why it is the most prestigious water and wastewater award in the state of Arkansas. Larry
also did an excellent job in defining Alan’s 40-plus years of service to the water profession in the
state of Arkansas, clearly showing why Alan, who currently serves as CEO of Beaver Water
District, deserves this recognition. Congratulations Alan! The Banquet concluded with this
year’s Conference Chair, Howell Anderson, passing the gavel to next year’s conference chair,
Ashley Barr with Little Rock Wastewater. Ashley then announced the theme of next year’s
Conference -- People with Purpose. It appears that next year’s conference is in very good hands.
I always look forward to my spring trips to Hot Springs to attend the Annual Arkansas
Waterworks and Water Environmental Association Conference. I know I will learn something
new and, along the way I’ll develop and strengthen my professional relationships with colleagues
in the water industry. If you already attend the Conference, keep attending, and if you never
have, I encourage you to rethink your priorities and put next year’s conference date on your
calendar, now!
Bill HagenBurger P.E. is Plant Engineer for Beaver Water District, where he has managed engineering
and construction activities and provided engineering support since 2001. Bill has been a member of
the Southwest Section since 2001, and is currently the Arkansas Trustee. Bill also serves on the
Membership Committee. He may be reached at bhagenburger@bwdh2o.org.
2013 AWW&WEA Conference Awards
Exhibitor Awards:
Most Informative Exhibit - Instrument & Supply
Best Looking Exhibit - Henard Utility Products
Most Informative Exhibitor - Henard Utility Products
Water Small Systems Awards:
City of Stephens – XNA NW Regional Airport - City of Rector
Water Outstanding Achievement Population LESS than 5,001:
Bob L. King, City of Prairie Grove
Water Outstanding Achievement Population MORE than 5 ,000:
Spencer Oyemaja, Searcy Water
Water Works Manager of the Year:
Stacy Cheevers, Beaver Water District
Wastewater Small Systems Awards:
City of Brokland & City of Ashdown
Wastewater Outstanding Achievement Population LESS than 5,001:
Matt Rager Jr., Winthrop Rockefeller Institute
Wastewater Outstanding Achievement Population MORE than 5,000:
Eric Wassell, Little Rock Wastewater
AWEA Awards:
William Winn, City of Fayetteville
Mike Thompson Wastewater Manger of the Year:
Larry Collins, City Corporation (Russellville)
Young Professional of the Year:
Blake Jackson, Little Rock Wastewater
Safety Award for Cities with Population > 20,000:
Fayetteville Wastewater (Duyen Tran)
Safety Professional of the Year:
Jimmy Smith, Search Water Utilities
AWEA Awards:
Arthur Sydney Bedell Award:
Bob Williams, Jacksonville Wastewater Utility
William D. Hatfield Award:
Lance McAvoy, Fort Smith Utility
George W. Burke, Jr. Award:
Dan Dawson, Searcy Water Utilities
Collection Systems Award:
David Dean, Pine Bluff Wastewater Utilities
James Bailey Educator of the Year:
Drinking Water Taste Contest Winner:
Paragould
Dump Truck ROADeo:
Backhoe ROADeo:
1st Place: Leon (Paul) White, Little Rock Wastewater
2nd Place: Dillon Nalley, Little Rock Wastewater
rd
3 Place: David Garringer, Little Rock Wastewater
1st Place: Jesse Burlison, Little Rock Wastewater
nd
2 Place: Dillon Nalley, Little Rock Wastewater 3rdPlace: Ryan Arnold, Arkadelphia Water & Sewer