City of Norman Wins Annual Water-Tasting Competition at OWPCA Conference

Midwest City, OK, October 18, 2017 --(PR.com)-- Bragging rights for the next year were awarded to the City of Norman in the 2017 Oklahoma Water Pollution Control Association (OWPCA) annual Water-Tasting Competition. The City of Norman triumphed over the eight other cities that were competing this year, with the water-tasting contest being a highlight of the 2 ½ day OWPCA Annual Conference.

The water samples for the nine cities competing were labeled by number only, and judged on clarity, odor, color and taste. The OWPCA selected a panel of distinguished judges: Todd Craighead, Host of Outdoor Oklahoma; the Honorable Leslie Osborn, Oklahoma House of Representatives; and Alex Cameron, News9. The City of Norman will also advance to the next level of competition to be held during the 2018 American Work Works Association (AWWA) Conference in Louisiana.

Individual awards included:

- Wastewater Collection System Technician of the Year: Robert Travis, City of Norman
- Darcey Award as the Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator of the Year: Veon Richmond, City of Norman
- Wastewater Administrative Technician of the Year: Kellie Seeds, City of Norman
- Wastewater Operator Newcomer of the Year: Dustin Cozard, City of Norman
- Water Plant Maintenance Technician of the Year: Scott Lewis, City of Norman
- Water Plant Maintenance Supervisor of the Year: Andy Bruehl, City of Norman
- Water Plant Lab Manager of the Year: Rachel Croft, City of Norman
- Water Distribution System Maintenance Technician of the Year: Tommy Martin, City of Norman
- Large Water Well System Operator of the Year: Bennie Gilmore, City of Norman
- Large Water Well System Maintenance Technician of the Year: Greg Apperson, City of Norman
- Stapley Award for Water Plant Operator of the Year: Clayton Herron, City of Norman
- Water System Administrative Technician of the Year: Mary Wray, City of Norman
- Public Works Superintendent of the Year: Bill Canary, City of Newcastle
- Water System Operator Newcomer of the Year: Ron Burnett, City of Nichols Hills
- Water System Maintenance Team of the Year: Alex Gallegos and Paul Johnson, City of Nichols Hills
- Water Well Operator of the Year: Ryan Kintner, City of Nichols Hills
- Water Lab Operator of the Year: Charles White, City of Madill
- Water Plant Supervisor of the Year: Phillis Balch, City of Ada
- Jessie Vaughn Award (Instructor of the Year): Robert Krueger, Rose State College

The Oklahoma Water Pollution Association (OWPCA) has a rich history dating back to 1926 and has been the source of training and professional development for those who work in the water and wastewater field in Oklahoma. The Environmental Training Center at Rose State College is proud to host this annual event.

About Rose State College: Rose State College is a two-year community college in Midwest City, Oklahoma. Founded in 1970 to serve the students of the Midwest City and Del City, Rose State now welcomes more than 13,000 students each year from across the State of Oklahoma. Rose State offers more than 60 different degree programs, small class sizes with a 20:1 student-to-faculty ratio, on-campus student housing, and among the lowest cost of tuition in the State of Oklahoma.