AWARDS ARCHIVE

Employee Awards

2007 Golden Manhole Cover Award
Trent Bowles was awarded the 2007 WEASC Golden Manhole Cover Award. This award is recognizes the promotion of professionalism in Sewer Collection Systems in Operations, Management, Design, Education, Training, Certification or Management and Planning. Trent, a Travelers Rest resident, began working at Western Carolina in 1998 is the Pump Station Supervisor. He holds an “A” certification level and is a Certified Journeyman Electrician. He has helped develop several in-house programs that allow ReWa (f.k.a.WCRSA) to train its current employees to conduct upgrades to the systems.
2007 William D. Hatfield
Don Milner was presented with the 2007 William D. Hatfield Award, given by the Water Environment Federation Member Association to wastewater treatment plant operators for outstanding performance and professionalism. The award was given in recognition for his work at the Lower Reedy plant as foreman for eight years. Don, a Mauldin resident, is now the Industrial Pretreatment Program Inspector and has been with ReWa (f.k.a.WCRSA) since 1989.
2007 5S Society Inductee
Ann Simms was inducted into the WEASC South Carolina Chapter of the 5S Society. Members are chosen for their contributions of outstanding measure to their organizations. Ann, a Greenville resident, is a Laboratory Manager and has been with ReWa (f.k.a.WCRSA) since 1990. In 2006, she received the Crystal Crucible award and in 2000 she was awarded the Water Environment Federation’s Analyst of the Year award.
2007 5S Society Inductee
Samantha Bartow was inducted into the WEASC South Carolina Chapter of the 5S Society. Members are chosen for their contributions of outstanding measure to their organizations. Samantha was presented with the Noel M. Hurley Membership Award for her outstanding achievements for recruiting new members in 2006. Aside from performing her duties as the Administrative Assistant of ReWa's (f.k.a.WCRSA) Collection Systems Department, Samantha has served as a member of the Water Environment Federation’s National Automation and Information Technology Committee, and has held the office of WEASC’s State Information Technology Chair. Currently, she is the District Treasurer of the Blue Ridge Foothills District. She also maintains the WEASC website and served as the moderator and presenter at a recent WEASC conference.
2007 Maintenance Person of the Year Blue Ridge Foothills District Awards
Greg Page was named the 2007 Maintenance Person of the Year at the Blue Ridge Foothills District Awards from the Water Environment Association of South Carolina (WEASC). Page currently serves as the Electronic/Electrician Instrumental Technician for ReWa (f.k.a.WCRSA). This award is presented annually for excellent achievement in the maintenance of a water, wastewater, collection or distribution system in South Carolina. Upon receiving this award, Page is eligible for the WEASC award at the state level.
2007 Wastewater Operator of the Year Blue Ridge Foothills District Awards
John Barry was named the 2007 Wastewater Operator of the Year at the Blue Ridge Foothills District Awards from the Water Environment Association of South Carolina (WEASC). Barry has served as ReWa's (f.k.a.WCRSA) Environmental Systems Operator II for the past four years. This award is presented annually to a wastewater plant operator for excellent achievement in the direct operation of a wastewater system. It recognizes Barry’s commitment and dedication to the operation of a wastewater plant as well as the protection of the environment. Upon receiving this award, Barry is eligible for the WEASC award at the state level.
2006 Hatfield Laboratory Analyst Award
Perry Ashmore was presented the 2006 Hatfield Laboratory Analyst Award at the state level for his outstanding service. With over 30 years of experience at ReWa (f.k.a.WCRSA), Ashmore has completed various tasks ranging from operational duties to managing multiple treatment facilities within the organization. In August 2003, Perry began managing the Pelham WWTP, which is currently the largest municipal upgrade in South Carolina history. His daily management style leads the staff to actively take part in the current upgrade. This will ultimately help them to learn the process and operational modifications for a smooth transition in the upgrading of the plants.
2006 Noel M. Hurley Membership Award
Samantha Bartow was awarded the Noel M. Hurley Membership Award for outstanding achievements for recruiting new members to WEASC. Samantha is the administrative assistant of Renewable Water Resources's Collection Systems Department. Her duties at ReWa include event coordination, budgeting and purchasing, and database administration
2006 Crystal Crucible Award
Ann Sims was presented the 2006 Crystal Crucible Award which recognizes individual for significant contribution for her innovative laboratory operations. Simms, Laboratory Manager at Renewable Water Resources (f.k.a. WCRSA) since 1990, is responsible for organizing and implementing ReWa’s plant, industry, water quality sampling, analysis, QA/QC, NPDES reporting and recordarchiving programs.

WCRSA Awards

2007 SCOSC Awards
ReWa (f.k.a.WCRSA) is proud to announce that six facilities were presented with South Carolina Occupational Safety Council (SCOSC) safety awards. The Mauldin Road treatment plant won the Palmetto Safety Excellence Award for the state in their category and code. This award is presented annually to the company with the lowest OSHA Recordable Incidence Rate that is at least 50% below the state average for comparable companies throughout South Carolina. The Gilder Creek, Georges Creek/Marietta, Grove Creek/ Piedmont, Lower Reedy and Pelham treatment plants received the South Carolina Safety Certificate, which is awarded to companies whose incidence rate is below the state average for comparable companies which have not received the Palmetto Award.
2007 NACWA Excellence in Management
ReWa (f.k.a.WCRSA) was presented with the 2007 Excellence in Management Recognition Award from the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA). The Excellence in Management Recognition program was launched in 2003 to acknowledge public clean water utilities that implement progressive management initiatives. ReWa (f.k.a.WCRSA) is being honored for its commitment to clean water and its dedication to maximizing the utility’s effectiveness and efficiency during a time of rising costs and ever-expanding water quality challenges.
2007 SCDHEC Outstanding Facility Award
ReWa (f.k.a.WCRSA) is proud to recognize four treatment plants, Gilder Creek, Georges Creek, Grove Creek and Mauldin Road, for winning the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control Outstanding Facility Award at the Annual Membership Conference, in Myrtle Beach, SC. The Outstanding Facility Award is given based on criteria including budget, treatment process, innovative progress or solutions, public education, preventative maintenance and others. This year, ReWa (f.k.a.WCRSA) went above and beyond with community outreach programs, a Biosolids program, the Annual River Sweep, the FOG (Fats, Oils and Grease) Campaign, and employee involvement.
2007 Peak Performance Awards
ReWa (f.k.a.WCRSA) is proud to announce that all ten of its wastewater plants received Peak Performance Awards from the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) during the Association’s 2008 Summer Conference and 38th Annual Meeting. NACWA presented the prestigious Gold Peak Performance Award to the Durbin Creek, George’s Creek, Gilder Creek, Lower Reedy, Mauldin Road, Pelham, and Slater-Marietta wastewater treatment plants to recognize their 100% compliance with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit requirements in 2007.NACWA’s Silver Peak Performance Awards were presented to the Grove Creek, Piedmont, and Taylors wastewater treatment plants for their outstanding compliance records in 2007. The Silver Peak Performance Awards recognize the achievement of member agencies for receiving no more than five NPDES permit violations.
2007 NACWA Public Service Nomination
For his outstanding advocacy for environmental stewardship, Western Carolina Regional Sewer Authority nominated South Carolina State Rep. James Hodges Harrison for the 2007 Public Service Award from the National Association for Clean Water Agencies (NACWA). Western Carolina is proud to announce that Rep. Harrison was selected to receive this award at the State level. The National Environmental Achievement Awards (NEAA) annually recognize individuals and member agencies that have made outstanding contributions to environmental protection and wastewater management. The NEAA Public Service Award is given to current or former elected or appointed public officials at the local, state and federal levels of government who have demonstrated exemplary commitment and service to their community, the environment and to NACWA.
2006 WEASC Operations Challenge
ReWa (f.k.a.WCRSA), "Virtual Velocity", earned first place at the Operations Challenge competition at the Water Environment Association of South Carolina's Annual Environmental Conference. The Operations Challenge is an annual competition, which takes place across the country at Water Environment Federation conferences. Team "Virtual Velocity" of ReWa (f.k.a.WCRSA) came in first place in the overall competition. As a result of placing first overall, team "Virtual Velocity" is guaranteed the opportunity to compete in the National Competition this fall in Washington, D.C.
2006 NACWA Public Information and Education Award
Executive Director, Ray T. Orvin and former Chairman, John Boyette ReWa (f.k.a.WCRSA) was recently presented with the Public Information and Education Award by the National Association of Clean Water Agency (NACWA). NACWA annually recognizes individuals and member agencies that have made outstanding contributions to environmental protection and wastewater management. ReWa (f.k.a.WCRSA) created the “Freshwater Freddie Ultimate Water Guide for Kids.” The piece was recognized as being a cost-effective tool that efficiently and effectively educated the community about protecting our environment and learning about the wastewater treatment process.
Pretreatment Program Excellence Award
The Water Environment Association of South Carolina (WEASC) presented their first Pretreatment Program Excellence Award to ReWa (f.k.a.WCRSA) for demonstrating their commitment to protecting and improving the quality of the State's waters through exceptional implementation and enforcement of their Pretreatment Programs. ReWa (f.k.a.WCRSA) Pretreatment Manager William Armes accepted the award on behalf of the organization. The WEASC evaluates eligible organizations based on such criteria as their implementation and enforcement objectives, regulations for Commercial Dischargers and hauled wastes, inspections procedures, recordkeeping practices, enforcement strategies, and program components including staff training, stakeholder involvement and public awareness.