Awards
Celebrating excellence, dedication, and leadership in North Carolina's water community.
Award Descriptions
Learn more about the prestigious awards presented by NC One Water to honor our outstanding industry professionals and organizations.
Individual Awards
Golden Manhole Society
Recognizing individuals who are significant contributors to the advancement of the systems design, education, training, certification, construction, operations, maintenance, and management of water distribution systems or wastewater collection systems.
Submit a NominationRaymond E. "Red" Ebert Award
Presented to the member who has made a significant contribution to the practice of operating a water distribution or wastewater collection system.
Submit a NominationSafewater Maintenance Technologist of the Year Excellence Award
Selected based on maintenance certifications and training, active membership in professional associations, years of service, recommendations, professional accomplishments, and sharing of skills and abilities with other professionals.
Submit a NominationWastewater Collections Operator of the Year
Given to an individual who has contributed much to the successful operation and maintenance of sewage collection systems.
Submit a NominationWastewater Laboratory Analyst Excellence Award
Presented to a wastewater laboratory analyst for outstanding performance, professionalism and contributions to the water quality analysis profession.
Submit a NominationWastewater Treatment Plant Operator of the Year
Presented to an individual whose skill, dedication, and professionalism have contributed significantly to the successful operation of a wastewater treatment facility. Nominees are recognized for consistent regulatory compliance, sound process control, and a commitment to protecting public health and the water environment.
Submit a NominationWater Distribution Operator of the Year
Given each year to an individual who has contributed much to the successful operation and maintenance of a water distribution system.
Submit a NominationOrganization Awards
Disaster Preparedness Award
Presented to utilities based on service population size for outstanding achievement in disaster preparedness initiatives addressing natural disasters, man-made disasters, and acts of aggression.
Submit a NominationGeorge W. Burke, Jr. Safety Award
The purpose of this award is to encourage an active and effective safety program in municipal and industrial wastewater facilities, and to stimulate the collecting and reporting of injury data. The documented and illustrated safety program and safety record of the facility for the preceding calendar year are the primary criteria for the award.
Submit a NominationWalter J. Courmon Safety Award
The purpose of this award is to encourage an active and effective safety program in municipal and industrial water facilities, and to stimulate the collecting and reporting of injury data. The documented and illustrated safety program and safety records of the facility for the preceding calendar year are the primary criteria for the award.
Submit a NominationWastewater Treatment Plant Operations & Maintenance Excellence Award
Honoring the wastewater plant personnel that serve their community with a high level of professionalism and diligent work in the operation and maintenance of their wastewater treatment facility. The recipient's plant staff make the most of their available resources, no matter how great or small.
Submit a NominationWastewater Collection System of the Year
Recipients of the award will have demonstrated that the system performs quality collection system maintenance procedures through the efficient use of labor, materials, equipment, and innovative methods to keep its collection system in good working condition to minimize health hazards and property damage that occur due to sanitary sewer over flows during both wet weather and dry weather conditions.
Submit a NominationWater Distribution System of the Year
Recipients of the award will have demonstrated that the system performs quality water system maintenance procedures through the efficient use of labor, materials, equipment, and innovative methods to keep its distribution system in good working condition to minimize health hazards.
Submit a NominationDirect Selection Awards
5-S Award (Select Society of Sanitary Sludge Shovelers)
Selected based on merit for contributing significant effort, time and energy in leadership and service through NC One Water.
Arthur Sidney Bedell Award (WEF)
Honoring a WEF member for demonstrating organizational leadership, administrative service, membership activity, technical excellence or similar participation.
AWWA Austin F. McCormack, Jr. Award
Presented to an AWWA member in good standing and young professional (35 or younger) who has made notable and outstanding contribution in water reliability, water quality, new directions in water treatment technologies, or membrane applications.
AWWA Operators Meritorious Service Award
Recognizing a water supply or distribution professional for compliance with health standards, outstanding contribution to plant maintenance, efficiency and effectiveness or other service beyond normal operating responsibilities.
Donald E. Francisco Educator of the Year Award
A prestigious award given annually to a member who has demonstrated outstanding service to NC One Water through education and training of water and wastewater professionals.
George Warren Fuller Award (AWWA)
Presented annually to an AWWA member for distinguished service, leadership and significant contributions toward the advancement of the water works practice within AWWA and/or the North Carolina section.
Hatfield Award (WEF)
Presented to an operator of wastewater treatment plants for outstanding performance and professionalism; must be a current WEF member.
Kasey Monroe Outstanding Service Award
Given annually by NC One Water to a member of the Association who by his/her efforts and contribution has demonstrated outstanding service to NC One Water.
Kenneth J. Miller Founders Award (Water For People)
Honoring an individual for outstanding volunteer service to the cause of safe water and sanitation around the world.
Wendell LaDue Utility Safety Award (AWWA)
A national AWWA award recognizing distinguished water utility safety programs with impressive safety record for the past five years, safety and health program best practices. NC One Water may select one nominee in each of four classes, and AWWA selects the finalists.
Photo Contest
Annual Photo Contest
Recognized at the Awards Ceremony, the Annual Photo Contest is a submission-based competition rather than a nominated award. Entries are reviewed and winners are selected by the NC One Water Publications Workgroup. Submit your best water-themed photography for a chance to be featured and celebrated.
Submit Your Entry2025 Award Recipients
Congratulations to our outstanding individuals, facilities, and teams who have gone above and beyond to protect and advance our water environment.
View 2025 Recipients List
| AWWA Silver Water Drop Award | Woody Wright | |
| Best-Tasting Water Contest | Two Rivers Utilities | |
| Best-Tasting Water Contest | Town of Cary, Cary/Apex WTP | |
| Best-Tasting Water Contest | City of Raleigh, EMJ Plant | |
| Board of Trustees Appreciation | Gregory Jenkins | Raleigh Water |
| Board of Trustees Appreciation | Ben Kearns | CFPUA |
| Board of Trustees Appreciation | Mike Osbourne | Black & Veatch |
| Disaster Preparedness Award | Brunswick County | Brunswick County Public Utilities |
| Donald E. Francisco Educator of the Year Award | Ricardo J. Hernandez | Raleigh Water |
| George W. Burke, Jr. Safety Award | Justin D. Blackmon | Roanoke Rapid Sanitary District |
| George Warren Fuller Award | Kenneth Waldroup | CFPUA |
| Golden Manhole Award | Donald Dixon | Brunswick County Public Utilities |
| Hydrant Hysteria (Men's Division) – 1st place | Plan BJustin Huntley, Jimmie Guillen, Jonathan Smith | Union County Water |
| Hydrant Hysteria (Men's Division) – 2nd place | Barrel BoysMatthew Clark (Coach), Luke Hagee, Tripp Morgan | Greenville Utilities Commission |
| Hydrant Hysteria (Men's Division) – 3rd place | Raleigh Hydrant SlammersJosh Bennett (Coach), Jason Talton, Jeff Tennant | Raleigh Water |
| Hydrant Hysteria (Women's Division) – 1st place | Hydrant HoneysJustin Huntley (Coach), Amy McCarley-Molina, Michelle McCarver | Union County Water |
| Hydrant Hysteria (Women's Division) – 2nd place | HydraCanesMeriam Manuel (Coach), Jennifer Anderson, Sarah Calverley | Raleigh Water |
| Outgoing Chair | Incoming Chair | Kevin Irby | Carolyn Ross | CDM Smith | Charlotte Water |
| Kasey Monroe Outstanding Service | CARLOS PEREZ | Raleigh Water |
| Kenneth J. Miller Founders (Water For People) | Josh Martin | McKim & Creed |
| Meter Madness – 1st place | JIMMIE GUILLEN | |
| Meter Madness – 2nd place | JUSTIN HUNTLEY | |
| Meter Madness – 3rd place | MICHAEL THOMPSON | |
| Operations Challenge – 1st place | Predaturds | |
| Operations Challenge – 2nd place | Turdinators | |
| Pipe Tapping – 1st place | Union County | |
| Pipe Tapping – 2nd place | Greenville Utilities Commission | |
| Pipe Tapping – 3rd place | Union County | |
| Raymond E. "Red" Ebert Award | Michael "Mickey" Thompson | Brunswick County Public Utilities |
| Safewater Maintenance Technologist of the Year Excellence Award | Brandon Silvers | Charlotte Water |
| Special Recognition | Allyson Ridout | Cape Fear Public Utility Authority |
| Special Recognition | Douglas Baughman | Hazen and Sawyer |
| Student Design Team | Maisha Chowdhury, Makenna Miles, Graham Scherle... | NCSU |
| Student Poster Contest | ELLEN WILLIAMS | |
| Student Poster Contest | KYLE REZEK | |
| Student Poster Contest | MADELEINE SPARROW | |
| Three Musketeer Award | DOUGLAS BAUGHMAN | Hazen and Sawyer |
| Three Musketeer Award | CARLOS PEREZ | Raleigh Water |
| Three Musketeer Award | DANIELLE WALTERS | Wharton Smith |
| Walter J. Courmon Safety Award | City of Newton | |
| Wastewater Collection System of the Year – LARGE | Fayetteville Public Works Commission | Fayetteville Public Works Commission |
| Wastewater Collection System of the Year – MEDIUM | City of Concord | City of Concord |
| Wastewater Collection System of the Year – OVERALL WINNER | Town of Smithfield | Town of Smithfield |
| Water Distribution System of the Year | Town of Smithfield | Town of Smithfield |
| Water Distribution System of the Year – OVERALL WINNER | Fayetteville Public Works Commission | Fayetteville Public Works Commission |
| Wastewater Collections Operator of the Year Award | Jake Elliott | Brunswick County Public Utilities |
| Water Distribution Operator of the Year Award | Justin Rice | Asheville Water Resources |
| WEF House of Delegates Service | Thomas Bach | KCI |
| WEF Life Member | Paul Syslo | |
| WEF Award – With Everlasting Thanks Award | Barry Shearin | Formerly Charlotte Water |
| Wilbur E. Long Wastewater Operator of the Year Award | Timothy Van Skipper | Roanoke Rapid Sanitary District |
| Exhibitor Best in Show 2025-2026 | Garver |
Nominate a Peer
Do you know someone who has made exceptional contributions to the water industry? Help us recognize their hard work by nominating them for an upcoming award.
View Award Criteria & Nominate