The Water-Wastewater Division of Bowling Green Municipal Utilities received several awards at the KY/TN Water Professionals Conference held Sept. 8-11 in Louisville.

BGMU received an Operational Excellence Award for continued outstanding operation of its water recovery facility for calendar year 2024. BGMU has received this award for 16 of the last 17 years.

This award is given annually to publicly owned and industrial water recovery facilities that have achieved permit compliance during the previous calendar year by having no more than one violation of their National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit.

The Water Treatment Plant received the Award of Excellence for Plant Operations, Large Plant Category. The criteria considered for this award include management, records, appearance and the overall results of an evaluation.

Only one award is given to a plant that produces over 20 million gallons per day. BGMU’s Water Treatment Plant can treat up to 45 million gallons of water per day.

Additionally, several employees were recognized.

Eddie Jones, chief operator of the water treatment plant, received the Operator’s Meritorious Service Award for outstanding accomplishments and service in providing a quality water supply to the public and dedication to leadership in the water industry.

Joe Pavoni, water-wastewater systems manager, was awarded the Bedell Award. The Bedell Award was established to acknowledge extraordinary personal service to a Water Environment Federation Member Association. Recipients are selected by the Bedell committee comprised of past Bedell award winners.

Heather Stringfield, chief operator of the water recovery facility, was awarded the Hatfield Award. The Hatfield Award is presented to operators of water resource recovery facilities for outstanding performance and professionalism.

Recipients are selected by the Hatfield committee comprised of past Hatfield award winners.

Doug Kimbler, treatment plants superintendent, was awarded the S. Leary Jones Award. This award was established in 1990 as a special recognition of many years of dedicated service to the Clean Water Professionals of Kentucky and Tennessee and/or to the field of environmental engineering.