- Home
- Departments
- Public Utilities
- Awards & Recognition
Awards & Recognition
Awards & Recognition
Brunswick County Public Utilities is pleased to display the many accolades that have been awarded from state agencies throughout the years. Brunswick County Public Utilities strives to treat its source water above current state and federal standards in accordance with the Safe Drinking Water Act and Natural Primary Drinking Water Standards.
2025 Awards
Golden Manhole Society Award: Donald Dixon
- Presented By: NC One Water
- Description: In recognition of the outstanding contributions to the advancement of the systems, design, education, training, certification, construction, operations, maintenance, and management of water distribution systems or wastewater collection systems.
Raymond E. 'Red" Ebert Award: Mickey Thompson
- Presented By: NC One Water
- Description: In recognition of significant contributions to the practice of operating a water distribution or wastewater collection system.
Outstanding Wastewater Collection Operator of the Year: Jake Elliott
- Presented By: NC One Water
- Description: In recognition of outstanding contributions to the successful operation and maintenance of wastewater collection systems.
Disaster Preparedness Award
- Presented By: NC One Water
- Description: In acknowledgement of outstanding achievements in advancing disaster preparedness initiatives, and thereby strengthening our preparedness.
Meter Madness Competition: Trevor Page, 3rd Place
- Presented By: NC One Water
- Description: Timed competition of an individual's skill at assembling a meter quickly, totally, and accurately. View a short video from the Meter Madness Competition at the 2025 NC One Water Conference.
Hydrant Hysteria Competition: Connor Cook & Clifton Hawley, 4th Place
- Presented By: NC One Water
- Description: Timed competition measuring a team's ability to completely assemble a commonly utilized utility hydrant as accurately as possible. View a short video from the Hydrant Hysteria Competition at the 2025 NC One Water Conference.
2024 Awards
Utility of the Future Today Award
- Presented By: Water Environment Federation (WEF) “ the water quality people”
- Description: The Utility of the Future Today Recognition Program seeks to reach deeply into the water sector to form and motivate a community of like-minded water utilities engaged in advancing resource efficiency and recovery, developing proactive relationships with stakeholders, and establishing resilient, sustainable, and livable communities.
Source Water Protection Award of Excellence
- Presented By: N.C. Source Water Collaborative
- Description: A Groundwater Planning Award was presented to Brunswick County in recognition of initiatives to protect North Carolina’s drinking water and the watersheds that support it through their Brunswick County Wellhead Protection Ordinance project.
Disaster Preparedness Award
- Presented By: NC One Water
- Description: In acknowledgment of outstanding achievements in advancing disaster preparedness initiatives, and thereby strengthening our preparedness.
Outstanding Water Distribution Operator of the Year: Cody Knox
- Presented By: The North Carolina Section of American Water Association & The North Carolina Water Environment Association
- Description: For his ability and devotion in the operation of a Water Distribution System.
2023 Awards
Disaster Preparedness Award
- Presented By: NC One Water
- Description: In acknowledgment of outstanding achievements in advancing disaster preparedness initiatives, and thereby strengthening our preparedness.
Outstanding Wastewater Collection Operator of the Year: John Gregory
- Presented By: The North Carolina Section of American Water Association & The North Carolina Water Environment Association
Outstanding Water Distribution Operator of the Year: Ronnie Fulford
- Presented By: The North Carolina Section of American Water Association & The North Carolina Water Environment Association
- Description: For his ability and devotion in the operation of a Water Distribution System.
2021 Awards
Certificate of Facility Optimization- Turbidity Removal: 4 Years Optimized
- Presented By: North Carolina’s Area Wide Optimization Program
- Description: Brunswick County Water System Treatment Plant.
2019 Awards
Certificate of Facility Optimization- Turbidity Removal: 3 Years Optimized
- Presented By: North Carolina’s Area Wide Optimization Program
- Description: Brunswick County Water System Treatment Plant.
2018 Awards
George W. Burke Jr. Facility Safety Award presented to Brunswick County Public Utilities Sewer Collections Division
- Presented By: Water Environment Federation "the water quality people"
- Description: In recognition of the Excellence of its Active and Effective Safety Program and Safety Record.
Outstanding Water Distribution Operator of the Year: Adam Sellers
- Presented By: The North Carolina Section of American Water Association & The North Carolina Water Environment Association
- Description: For his ability and devotion in the operation of a Water Distribution System.
Outstanding Wastewater Collection Operator of the Year: Bobby Faircloth
- Presented By: The North Carolina Section of American Water Association & The North Carolina Water Environment Association
- Description: For his ability and devotion in the operation of a Wastewater Collection System.
Wastewater Laboratory Analyst Excellence Award: Anna Leroux
- Presented By: NC AWWA
2017 Awards
Distribution System of the Year- Large System
- Presented By: NC AWWA-WEA
- Description: In recognition of protecting public health and the environment through pro-active practices of management, operations, and maintenance beyond minimum standards.
Certificate of Facility Optimization- Turbidity Removal: 2 Years Optimized
- Presented By: North Carolina’s Area Wide Optimization Program
- Description: Brunswick County Water System Treatment Plant.
2016 Awards
Distribution System of the Year- Large System
- Presented By: NC AWWA-WEA
- Description: In recognition of protecting public health and the environment through pro-active practices of management, operations, and maintenance beyond minimum standards.
2015 Awards
Distribution System of the Year- Large System
- Presented By: NC AWWA-WEA
Collection System of the Year- Medium System
- Presented By: NC AWWA-WEA
Certificate of Facility Optimization- Turbidity Removal: 1 Years Optimized
- Presented By: North Carolina’s Area Wide Optimization Program
- Description: Northwest Water Treatment Plant.
2014 Awards
Distribution System of the Year- Large System
- Presented By: NC AWWA-WEA
2013 Awards
Distribution System of the Year- Large System
- Presented By: NC AWWA-WEA
2008 Awards
Clean Water State Revolving Fund PISCES Award
- Presented By: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- Description: Presented for Performance and Innovation in the SRF Creating Environmental Success. In recognition of construction of advanced treatment reclamation facility and regional wastewater treatment & collection system.
2006 Awards
Safety Award
- Presented By: American Water Works Association (AWWA)
- Description: In recognition of safety achievements.
2004 Awards
Al DeRatt Award: Donald Dixon
- Presented By: North Carolina Rural Water Association (NCRWA)
- Description: For dedication and service to the people and wastewater systems in North Carolina.