October 4, 2006
Contact:   Mark Pepper (307) 436-8636

Water and Wastewater Professionals Honored by State

Governor Dave Freudenthal proclaimed October 29 through November 4, 2006 Water and Wastewater
System Professional Recognition Week in Wyoming at a proclamation signing ceremony in the
Governor’s office September 29, 2006.

The signing ceremony was attended by several water and wastewater advocacy groups in Wyoming
including the Wyoming Association of Rural Water Systems (WARWS).  The Association is the
premier training and technical assistance group in Wyoming.  The Wyoming Association of Rural
Water Systems is a state affiliate of the National Rural Water Association, the nations’ largest utility
membership organization.

Wyoming’s water is a valuable economic, environmental and recreational resource. Water from the
ground, streams, lakes and reservoirs is used to irrigate crops, produce goods and services, provide
safe and healthy communities, maintain wildlife habitat and/or fisheries, provide recreational
opportunities, and contribute to Wyoming’s identity. Wyoming’s citizens benefit from the wages,
increased land value, products, businesses and Wyoming lifestyle that result from utilizing water.
Water and wastewater professionals contribute to the value of water through the skilled operation of
sophisticated water and wastewater systems. These professionals include system operators,
maintenance personnel, laboratory workers, administrative personnel, engineers and suppliers.

Over 150 of Wyoming’s water and wastewater professionals recently completed hands on and
continuing education at the WARWS annual Fall Expo which was held September 18 – 20 in Casper.
Annually, WARWS specialists conduct training and technical assistance to all of Wyoming’s
over 700 rural water systems.  The Association completed over 1250 technical assistance visits, in
excess of 10,000 man hours of training and assisted 40 communities in Wyoming with Ground water
and Source water protection plans during the calendar year 2005 in an effort to ensure the protection
of Wyoming’s water and deliver “Quality on Tap”.

The Proclamation signing was witnessed by USEPA
Region VIII Chief Municipal Systems Unit - Jack
Rychecky; WYDEQ Water Quality Division officials:
Brian Mark, Kim Parker, Molly Nelson; Jim Van Dorn,
WARWS Circuit Rider; Representatives from MAP,
AWWA, and WWQ&PCA and several licensed operators.

Download the Governor’s Proclamation (pdf)