Contributed Story
Dennis Lewis, Senior System Operator for the Valley Head Water Works, was recently named Water Operator of the Year by the Alabama Rural Water Association (ARWA) at its 44th Annual Conference held in Mobile, Alabama from March 20-23, 2022.
The Conference was attended by approximately 1000 water and wastewater professionals from across the state. ARWA is a non-profit organization representing over 500 rural water and wastewater systems throughout the state of Alabama. ARWA provides assistance to these systems to comply with State and Federal regulations, to help with management and operational problems, and provide training initiatives that will promote personnel development and efficiency.
The Water Operator of the Year Award recognizes a State of Alabama Certified Water Treatment Operator for his/her outstanding leadership abilities and accomplishments in water utility operations.
Mr. Lewis has been an integral part of the Valley Head Water Works since 1982 when he was hired as that organization’s first full-time employee. Under his leadership, the Valley Head Water customer base has grown from 300 households in 1982 to over 1000 at the present time, and its service area now extends from just north of Fort Payne to the Alabama/Georgia state line at Sulphur Springs. Mr. Lewis will retire on April 30 concluding a 40-year career in public service.
