Awards of Excellence
Recognizing the outstanding contributions of rural drinking water & wastewater professionals is one of the highlights of Idaho Rural Water Association’s Spring Conferences. This is an opportunity to place recognition for outstanding performance and professionalism where it is deserved!
The award categories and its descriptions are provided below. (Most awards are given based on performance in the previous calendar year.)
Drinking Water Operations Specialist of the Year: This award recognizes an Idaho licensed drinking water operations specialist who is actively working in the field with outstanding leadership abilities and accomplishments in the drinking water operations.
Wastewater Operations Specialist of the Year: This award recognizes an Idaho licensed wastewater operations specialist who is actively working in the field with outstanding leadership abilities and accomplishments in the wastewater operations.
Rookie Operations Specialist of the Year: This award recognizes someone who has acquired their operator’s license in the State of Idaho (drinking water or wastewater) within the last twelve months and that does an outstanding job.
Administrator of the Year: This award recognizes an administrative employee (City Clerk, Recorder, Treasurer, Administrator, Manager, etc.) for outstanding performance in office management, customer service and any other procedures that have benefited the operation of the utility system.
Doug MacNichol Humanitarian of the Year: This award recognizes someone concerned with the interest and welfare of the public and is one who possesses traits of compassion for other humans by their acts of kindness. They go above and beyond for their community.
Drinking Water System of the Year: This award recognizes a water utility system that has demonstrated exceptional efforts to properly manage, operate and maintain their systems.
Wastewater System of the Year: This award recognizes a wastewater utility system that has demonstrated exceptional efforts to properly manage, operate and maintain their systems.
Source Water Protection System of the Year: This award recognizes a water utility system in Idaho that has demonstrated exceptional efforts to protect their drinking water for its customers and neighbors through the development or implementation of a source water protection plan.
Kelly Dahlquist Community Impact Award: This award recognizes an individual who uses herculean efforts to build up Idaho communities through drinking water and wastewater infrastructure projects, strategic planning for city revitalization or has developed creative solutions to longstanding community challenges. This individual will embody a spirit of generosity and passion for Idaho’s communities.
Shelley Reeves - City of Grace
Administrator of the Year
This nominee for Administrator of the Year is the system’s unsung hero, adept at managing the budget and handling both praise and complaints. Her proficiency in water and wastewater permits is invaluable, and she assists employees with license renewals. Known for her politeness, residents enjoy their interactions at city hall. Beyond her role, she actively supports the county fair and high school, often volunteering at sports events. She's the heart of our community, uniting the community and essential to our success. Despite the team having licenses, she's the knowledgeable force behind the city and is credited for being the “glue that holds the whole city together”. “We are the lucky ones to have her on our team!”
Christopher Byrne - Santa-Ferwood Sewer Project
Rookie of the Year
The individual nominated for the Rookie of the Year Award began in the water and sewer industry in April 2022 as an assistant operator. The previous operator of 14 years suffered a health crisis, requiring the system to depend on IRWA and a former employee for training. Despite the unfortunate circumstances, the new hire quickly excelled, handling both assistant and lead roles across three entities: a treatment plant and two water districts. He's adept at troubleshooting and, if necessary, consults industry peers for advice. His efficiency is a significant asset to our operations.
Dustin Howell - Hecla Lucky Friday Mine
Drinking Water Operations Specialist of the Year
With 16+ years' experience, this individual has significantly enriched the water system with their expertise. Their unwavering dedication, including working during vacations and braving harsh conditions, has resulted in exceptional maintenance and a near-perfect record. Since becoming a drinking water operator in 2021, they've tirelessly trained others amidst almost 100% departmental turnover. This dedicated professional maintains the system with preventive measures such as constant chlorine monitoring, annual filter maintenance, and SOP development. Daily tasks encompass electrical, pump, and water quality checks, along with tank inspections and immediate repairs. They consistently ensure the mine benefits from a reliable, high-quality water supply without complaint.
Mackenzie Kissell, the City of Weiser
Waste Water Operations Specialist of the Year
The nominee for the Wastewater Operations Specialist of the Year inspires others with his innovative thinking and fresh ideas. He earned his Wastewater Treatment 2 and Collections 2 licenses in just two years and has helped others' advance in their career. He has simplified permit processes to make it easier for others to understand. His mad math skills help navigate the chemical dosing. He saves the community money by thinking “outside the box” on projects like welding ladders and rebuilding motors instead of buying new or hiring out help. Most importantly he is passionate about what he does and IS a “Wastewater Nerd!”
Eastern Idaho Regional Sewer District’s Oxbow Wastewater Treatment Plant
Wastewater System of the Year
This system specializing in “dirty water” exemplifies commitment to cleanliness and surpasses standards with innovative approaches and sustainable practices. The staff do not complain about their work, the facility, or one another which creates a positive environment to work in. That positivity speaks volumes for the way the plant is run and maintained. The facility and the grounds are pristine. The equipment and machinery (behind the scenes) are maintained regularly to help keep the system in tip top shape to prevent expensive repairs or purchases. When a problem does arise the entire staff jumps in to help even if it takes all night to get things running back to normal. The plant takes environmental concerns seriously and is a top priority since they discharge to a local river and are careful to protect the community they serve and live in. Safety and training are a top priority of the plant superintendent and encourages the team to learn and get that next level of certification. Efficiency is a top priority so the system can serve the growing community as the most economical price. The team works hard to seal off infiltration of water inflows so they are paying to treat unnecessary water through he treatment plant. The proactive strategies exhibited by this system serves as an excellent example and sets a high bar.
City of Coeur d' Alene
Drinking Water System of the Year
The nominee for the Drinking Water System of the Year has exhibited exceptional commitment to delivering clean, reliable water, frequently outperforming standards and pioneering innovative strategies. With proactive infrastructure improvements, efficient management, and steadfast sustainability, it has secured user safety and set industry benchmarks.
During a city-wide hack, the system's water department displayed remarkable dedication, maintaining service continuity despite widespread disruptions with other services. Their swift action and community focus underscore their leadership in water management by demonstrating their forward-thinking practices.
USDA- Rural Development's Idaho Team in Water Environment Programs
Friend of Rural Water
Someone who has made a significant difference to our industry and to many of you. The recognition we are sharing this evening is well deserved and has helped many public drinking water and wastewater utility systems, operators, and thousands of Idaho citizens.
We are celebrating a group of individuals who embody the very essence of dedication, service, and excellence. Stewards of our communities and champions of public health. Since 2012, this remarkable team has obligated over $415 million to fund water and wastewater facilities across Idaho. That number, in itself, is staggering, but the true significance lies in what that funding represents: clean drinking water for our families, safer wastewater management for our neighborhoods, and a commitment to the sustainable infrastructure that shapes our future. Through their hard work, they ensure that every drop counts and that every community has access to one of our most vital resources.
What makes this team’s achievements even more extraordinary is their ability to do more than what is expected. Year after year, they have consistently brought more funding to Idaho than was originally allocated—an accomplishment that speaks volumes about their tenacity, their resourcefulness, and their passion for serving the people of this state. Since 2020, this team has obligated on average 295% of the state’s loan allocation and 328% of the grant allocation. Because of their efforts, Idaho communities have been able to thrive and grow in ways that might never have been possible otherwise.
Behind every dollar obligated and every project funded is a story of dedication, meticulous planning, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. This team has shown us what it means to go above and beyond, to see challenges not as obstacles but as opportunities to deliver more for the people of Idaho.
One example of this dedication and persistence was shared from the City of Glenns Ferry who worked closely with RD over many years. The lack of a reliable water source in Glenns Ferry led to a long-term relationship.
The City’s Spring was determined to be GWUDI because of its proximity to the Snake River leaving the city to develop treatment to utilize the spring. While pilot studies were being conducted the springs production diminished to the point that for a 24-hour period there was no water to pump. The city had been proactive and had just finished installing another seven hundred feet of perforated pipe to capture more of the springs output. With this piping just feet away from the infiltration gallery the city received an emergency declaration to go ahead and connect it to the gallery.
The city had already been working with RD and with their help and expertise they encouraged the city to go after bonds to help with the construction of a Water treatment facility that would treat both the Spring and River water. The city was able to pass two bonds for 1.5 million dollars of the seven million dollars that was needed to build the plant. Dave Flesher with RD was very instrumental in helping the city get the remainder of the funding through grants saving the customers of the city water system hundreds of dollars in their utility bills.
While the plant was being built Mr. Flesher noticed that the city had several other needs as well. Two of those being bathroom facilities at the city owned Boat Docks and city park. With his help the city was able to secure the necessary funding to install both bathrooms.
I know many of you have your own story of working with the people on this team. Going for more, brainstorming for unique solutions, and getting your community and leadership to YES! On behalf of all those whose lives you’ve touched, thank you for your unparalleled dedication, your vision, and your unyielding drive to make Idaho better.
Today, we honor your achievements. You remind us that real change happens when people care deeply and work tirelessly for the common good. Congratulations, and thank you for everything you’ve done and continue to do for Idaho.
Van Sandifer, Panorama Hills Water Company
Kelly Dahlquist Community Impact Award
This individual was nominated for the Kelly Dahlquist Community Impact Award due to his relentless efforts in revamping a frequently malfunctioning water system.
Unless you have lived it, it’s hard to understand what continual mainline leaks, pump failures, meter failures and hook-up leaks do to your confidence and enjoyment of your community. Couple those failure events with a volunteer water company staff backed up by available neighbors and you appreciate the times you can simply turn on the faucet and have clean, safe water flow.
Despite being a volunteer, this individual has taken on the role of Project Manager for the DEQ-funded system rebuild, ensuring it stays on schedule, within budget, and with the least impact to the community. The project takes many hours a day everyday working with the contractor and engineer. His dedication to creating a robust and reliable water infrastructure is evident in his tireless work with the contractor and residents.
Without him, our community would still struggle with these persistent problems. His commitment exemplifies the award's essence.
City of Rogerson
Idaho's Great American Taste Test Winner
