Okatie, SC (May 13, 2020) – South Carolina American Water Works Association (SCAWWA) has honored Beaufort-Jasper Water & Sewer Authority’s Water Operations Manager Kevin Sexton with the Meritorious Service Operator Award for 2020. “This award is given to a certified water works operator for outstanding performance as a water plant operator based on health department standards for excellence in operation and maintenance.”
Sexton began working in the water field straight from high school, as a meter reader for the City of Beaufort in 1990, and transferring to BJWSA in 1994. He changed roles to water operator trainee in 1996, and was promoted to supervisor. After much experience and many accumulated licenses later, in 2015, he became BJWSA’s Water Operations Manager.
Director of Treatment Operations, Tricia Kilgore, P.E., nominated Sexton, stating, “BJWSA has an exemplary record of producing safe drinking water, not just complying with public health standards, but also exceeding them. Kevin has been at the center of this long streak. Kevin is a consummate public health professional with a strong commitment to safe drinking water and service. He is honest, reliable, and gregarious. Kevin is attentive to details and data yet mindful of the big picture. BJWSA plays an essential role in the community, and water operations is one of the most essential departments for the Authority.”
Kilgore also shared Sexton’s willingness to educate the public. He spends some weekdays and weekends at local events representing BJWSA and educating all ages about drinking water. Kevin and Brian Chemsak, BJWSA Director of Engineering, have built a traveling Water Engineering System, nicknamed WES. With WES, attendees learn about hydraulics and water distribution. WES has a storage tank, pump, and control panel, and participants can build a distribution system from a selection of piping and fittings and learn how water moves around.
For more information about BJWSA, visit www.bjwsa.org. Learn more about SCAWWA at https://www.scwaters.org/page/Awards.
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