The awards committee is responsible for developing a list of candidates for the various individual and facility awards. These include awards for outstanding individuals in the Association as well as water and wastewater treatment facilities and collection and distribution systems.
Asset Management Committee
Asset Management (AM) is an emerging
business model for water and wastewater utilities in the United States,
having had its start in Australia over twenty years ago. AM is a
transition from building and operating assets to managing their life
cycle. With an AM Program, a utility can develop, maintain and manage
utility assets at minimal costs while delivering the service levels that
customers desire. GAWP's Asset Management Committee envisions a broad
spectrum of appeal in the AM Committee membership, to include operating,
engineering, financial, legal, manufacturing and consulting disciplines.
The mission and responsibility of the Customer Service Committee is to enhance and elevate the quality of customer service provided by Georgia's utility companies by planning, organizing, and producing customer service workshops or seminars throughout the State of Georgia. The purpose of these activities is to provide training opportunities for all employees in the field of interpersonal relations with internal and external customers.
The Disaster Preparedness/Emergency Response/Security Committee
focuses on promoting, educating, and disseminating information about planning, preparing, and responding to all types of
emergencies. In the past, the committee has evaluated, revised, and updated the GAWP's plans and documents for emergency response
and assistance to utilities experiencing system damage/failure due to natural events such as tornados, floods, etc. Since the
events of September 11, 2001, the committee has supported educational and training efforts in producing and effectively utilizing
Vulnerability Analyses and Emergency Response Plans mandated by the federal government. The committee is also promoting mutual aid
between utilities in the event of a natural or man-made disaster.
The Georgia Water Network committee promotes the objectives of the Association to Young Professionals and Students, including coordinating with the Association's student chapter(s), as well as assisting GAWP in involving those new to the industry with committees and other volunteer efforts within the Association. The GWN sponsors a number of professional and social events throughout the year to allow young professionals and students to gain exposure to the industry. The membership is comprised of young professionals from municipalities, industries, regulatory agencies, and consulting firms as well as students from various universities.
To assist and support industry's environmental efforts through expansion of information exchange and
education services to environmental professionals concerned with industrial water, wastewater and other environmental related
issues. Committee Focus: Historically, the GAWP's primary focus has been to provide education and training opportunities for people
working in the water and wastewater field. The Industrial Committee broadens this focus to include environmental issues of concern
for its membership including water, wastewater, air quality, stormwater, and other environmental regulations. The Industrial
Committee membership includes a broad-based group of individuals from industries, municipalities, universities, local and state
governments, and consulting firms.
The Laboratory Committee shall serve to provide a forum for GAWP Laboratory and Operations personnel to meet
and discuss current issues regarding laboratory analysis associated with water and wastewater treatment. The laboratory committee
is responsible for developing the annual Laboratory Symposium and for selecting and presenting all laboratory awards. The
Laboratory Committee is dedicated to the dissemination of technical and scientific information, increased public understanding of
water and wastewater issues and the promotion of sound public laws. It also supports programs which improve water resources and
endeavor to raise the level of quality of data produced by water professionals.
The Maintenance Committee was created in 1996 to serve and enhance one of the often-overlooked segments of the Water and Wastewater Industry. To encourage excellence in the field of maintenance the Maintenance Committee has instituted the following programs:
1) The Golden Wrench Award that is given annually to the top Maintenance Mechanic in the state;
2) A maintenance session for Association conferences;
3) "Hands-on" demonstrations are offered at District Meetings and in Conference Exhibit Halls;
4) A Maintenance site on the GAWP Bulletin Board for discussion and membership involvement ( We need a young, energetic, cyber-savvy individual to manage it.);
5) Committee representation on a task force to evaluate maintenance certification for The Association of Boards of Certification. The committee also encourages maintenance personnel to seek cross-training and certification in plant operations.
Master Planning Committee
The purpose of the Integrated Master Planning
Committee is to identify, discuss, and promote approaches to sustainable
water resources master planning efforts. More specifically, the
committee will develop a set of guidelines to provide Utilities serving
communities of all sizes and locations within the State of Georgia with
best practice approaches and strategies to Master Planning. The
Committee strives to be a resource for Utilities involved in Master
Planning efforts. Open forum discussion, workshops and conference
sessions are sources for sharing these resources with Georgia utilities.
The role of the GAWP Membership Committee is to set forth and advocate
and execute strategies, programs and policies that support membership
growth and are useful and helpful to GAWP for building and retaining
membership; to demonstrate benefits of GAWP membership, to promote
GAWP/committee involvement, and to undertake special initiatives (i.e.
surveys, supporting district promotions, etc.)
Each section is encouraged to appoint a representative to this
committee, as the Membership Committee strives to represent the various
interests of all our members.
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Education and sharing of experiences rank as the most important missions of the GAWP. GAWP sponsors three association-wide annual conferences (Annual, Spring, and Fall Conferences) and many specialty conferences every year. The Program Committee is responsible for the Technical Content of these Conferences. Many of the Program Committee Members represent another committee (i.e., water, wastewater, stormwater). The Program Committee is also fortunate to have several at-large committee members who help with planning and coordinating the conferences. The Committee, in its entirety, is responsible for the technical content of the conferences. The Program Committee meets, on average, once a month to plan for upcoming conferences.
The Public Education Committee (PEC) provides education and outreach resources for GAWP. The primary objective
of the Public Education Committee is to equip the membership of the association with the tools needed to inform the general public
about the ever-changing issues within the industry. In addition, the PEC also conducts an annual three-day workshop for science
educators, which focuses on water treatment, water use, and water source protection. The members of the Committee are a diverse
group of professionals who together develop and implement unique and interesting programs in support of the water and wastewater
industry.
The Residuals, Recycling & Reuse Committee is a group of more than twenty GAWP members with a
specific interest in municipal and industrial water and wastewater residuals. Our committee focuses on policies, regulations,
permitting, planning, design, construction, operation, and troubleshooting of residuals-related facilities and practices. The
committee is specifically interested in not only educating the GAWP membership about existing disposal practices and optimization,
but also highlighting innovative methods of beneficial reuse and recycling of residuals materials. The Committee s charge is: The
Residuals Recycling Committee shall function as a resource to the membership of GAWP in assisting its members initiate, coordinate,
plan, develop, and implement recycling and beneficial use of residuals, including water plant solids, wastewater treatment solids,
and other recyclable materials.
As the primary water and wastewater organization in Georgia, GAWP has the responsibility to take the lead in
educating both our professional membership and the public on new and better ways to manage our water resources including the
increased beneficial use of reclaimed water. To meet this responsibility, the Water Reuse Committee will provide education to our
membership by presenting focused sessions at our scheduled conferences and through specialty conferences. In addition, the
Committee will provide educational outreach to the greater community, including both the general public and elected officials. In
pursuing these goals, the committee will network with other environmental, educational and professional organizations.
The Safety Committee is a group of individuals working as a team, dedicated to the promotion of safe working
practices within the water and wastewater industry. The committee is comprised of volunteers representing varying levels of
knowledge and experience.The committee values the input of all individuals who believe that safety is an important part of the
day-to-day operations and strives to provide interested parties with the information necessary to make an informed decision on
matters that affect their personal and professional lives.
This committee is responsible for advertising
GAWP scholarships as well as selecting scholarship recipients. Beginning
in January of each year Scholarship Applications can be found on the
Academic Resources section. Applications must be received by February
28.
The Small Systems Committee members are Georgia Water Professionals who are committed to supporting small utilities. This goal will continue with emphases on not only small systems, but small system operators. This committee focuses on serving small to medium utilities, gaining and welcoming new members with new ideas, and supporting facilities in need. The Small Systems Committee through our Annual Managers Forum, has proven that working through GAWP enhances the effectiveness of small systems, and the future of their operators. The Committee holds two Mini Forums yearly to reach out to other managers. The Small Systems Committee strives to help the little guy.
The Stormwater Committee seeks to promote a holistic understanding of stormwater quality and quantity issues by creating forums for representatives from public and private sectors to discuss issues and ideas, promote technology transfer, share innovative, equitable and cost-effective solutions, and develop relationships with other storm water professionals. The Committee remains focused on this goal by working closely with the Georgia Chapter of the American Water Resources Association (AWRA) to obtain the following objectives: hosting monthly meetings and sessions at the GAWP conferences, hosting/participating in an annual specialty conference, providing technical information to GAWP publications, providing timely information to our members through an online bulletin board, and and presenting annual Stormwater Program of the Year awards.
Utility Finance & Management Committee
The purpose of the Utility
Finance & Management Committee is to provide a home for activities to
serve GAWP member utilities with regard to management and finance
related topics including user charges, fees, and rates; financial
planning; project management; capital planning; asset management; and
similar issues.
Wastewater Collections Committee
The Wastewater Collections Committee members are Georgia Water Professionals who are committed to strengthening, increasing and
supporting the knowledge and overall operations of small to large wastewater collections systems across Georgia. Our committee
members bring an abundance of knowledge to the area of wastewater collections by using the experience of our utility employees,
contractors, and consultants. During our meetings, we discuss issues and ideas, promote technology transfer, share innovative,
equitable and cost-effective solutions to problems that face many of today's managers, supervisors and first level operators. The
committee values the input of all individuals who believe that increasing the knowledge of day-to-day operations is important for
the future of our wastewater collections system and welcomes new members with this same forward thinking.
Initiated in 2005, the Wastewater Treatment Committee (WWTC) is beginning its second year. The
Committee brings together GAWP members interested in municipal wastewater treatment, and includes professionals in plant operations,
management, and engineering design. The Committee provides opportunities for professional development in the technical aspects of
wastewater treatment. |
