EPA Recognizes Beall for Operator Excellence
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency presented Mark Beall of Stanardsville, Va., with the mid-Atlantic region’s award for excellence in operating a small public drinking water system.
“Public drinking water plant operators like Mark Beall defend us all against waterborne diseases and contamination that can cause serious, even fatal, illnesses,” said William S. Arguto, who oversees drinking water for EPA’s mid-Atlantic region. “EPA presents this award annually to honor the outstanding, highly qualified, trained professionals who operate drinking water treatment plants.”
Beall was nominated for the award by the Virginia Department of Health for his exceptional contributions to the Woodberry Forest School and its community. Through his leadership and direction, the Woodberry Forest School has maintained perfect compliance for the past eight years and achieved optimal corrosion control treatment for the first time. Beall also created a community e-mail network to inform customers about their drinking water quality.
EPA’s mid-Atlantic region created the Professional Operator Excellence Award in 2006 to highlight the importance of public water systems and to recognize outstanding performance by public water system plant operators. The award can be given to operators in two categories: large (serving more than 3,300 customers) and small (serving fewer than 3,300 customers) public water systems.
For additional information about the Professional Operator Excellence Award visit www.epa.gov/reg3wapd/drinking/awards.htm#operator.