On August 23 – 25, 2010, representatives of Kentucky’s public drinking water and wastewater utilities gathered for Kentucky Rural Water Association’s (KRWA) 31st Annual Conference and Exhibition held in Louisville, Kentucky.   With nearly 700 utility professionals gathered at the Galt House Hotel to hear presentations from industry experts, network with peers, and tour Kentucky’s largest exhibition of products and services available to public utilities. An “illuminating” experience was offered to all of the conference attendees in keeping with our theme, “A Beacon of Light.”

Monday’s activities began with the KRWA Golf Scramble at the beautiful Nevel Meade Golf Course, while training sessions were held at the Galt House for water and wastewater personnel.  The day concluded with the opening of the Exhibit Hall and the President’s Reception.  A packed exhibit hall, with a record number of 114 booths, displayed the latest in industry technology, products and services.  The Best Display award this year went to YSI, Inc., a manufacturer of water quality monitoring and testing equipment.

Tuesday morning’s Member Appreciation Breakfast featured Democratic U.S. Senate Candidate, Jack Conway, Kentucky’s Attorney General, who shared his views and vision for Kentucky with our membership. Also, ten drinking water and wastewater utilities were recognized as Wooden Bucket finalists and honored for their outstanding service during the past year. They received plaques of appreciation from Tom Fern, State Director, USDA-Rural Development.  This year’s honorees were Barkley Lake Water District; Beattyville Waterworks; East Daviess County Water Association; East Logan Water District; Eubank Water System; City of Hardinsburg; Knott County Water & Sewer District; Lake Village Water Association; City of Pikeville; and Western Mason County Water District.

The KRWA Annual Business Meeting was held following the breakfast.  William Ballard, East Clark County Water District; Randell O’Bryan, Crittenden-Livingston County Water District; and David Peterson, Caveland Environmental Authority, Inc., were re-elected to serve two-year terms on the KRWA Board of Directors.  The following board members will serve as officers in 2010/2011: President – Larry Herald, Paintsville City Utilities; Vice President – Jim Smith, Carroll County Water District #1; Secretary – William Ballard, East Clark County Water District; and Treasurer – David Peterson, Caveland Environmental Authority, Inc.

The General Session began in the afternoon by Shining a Light on Water & Wastewater Issues in Kentucky.  Featured presenters included Fred Sheldon, President, National Rural Water Association; Greg Heitzman, President/CEO, Louisville Water Company; Rick Rand, Kentucky State Representative and Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee; Charlie Borders, Commissioner, Public Service Commission; Hank List, Deputy Secretary, Energy and Environment Cabinet; and Colonel Keith Landry, Commander, Louisville District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The afternoon concluded with a special recognition of several utilities for their outstanding contributions in customer and public relations through outreach, education and leadership.  Those utilities were East Logan Water District, Louisville Water Company, and Warren, Butler and Simpson County Water Districts.

The Rural Water Extravaganza Reception and Banquet highlighted Tuesday evening’s festivities.  Professional Humorist and Motivational Speaker, Charles Marshall, delivered a funny, clever, and relatable presentation, with a healthy dose of southern charm.

Three concurrent sessions continued on Wednesday morning and included Paulette McKinney and Teresa Faulkner, Insurors of Kentucky, Shedding Light on Insurance for Utilities; Darren Honious, YSI, Inc., Dissolved Oxygen Measurement Technology; and Steve Gott, S & K Equipment Company, on Variable Speed Controllers.  Jay Hoffman, Wet or Dry Inspection, addressing Storage Tank Maintenance Issues; Jeremy McComas, C. I. Thornburg Company, on Water Meter Technologies; and Josh Cravins, Wascon, Inc. discussed Water Booster Stations – Prepackaged vs Built in Place.  Andy Lange, KRWA, provided an overview of the new Utility Management Certification Program;  and Damon Talley, KRWA General Council, and Jerry Wuetcher, Kentucky Public Service Commission, wrapped up the morning with From a Legal Point of View.

The 31st KRWA Conference concluded with the annual Awards Luncheon.  Dr. Rand Paul, U.S. Senate Candidate for the Republican Party, discussed his thoughts for the future of Kentucky and included a brief question and answer period with our membership.

The City of Hardinsburg, operated by Veolia Water North America received the 2010 Wooden Bucket Award.  This award is presented to a water and/or wastewater utility that has made substantial and lasting improvements in providing high levels of customer service and high quality drinking water and wastewater services in its community.  Congratulations to the City of Hardinsburg and Veolia Water!

Distinguished Service Awards were presented to two of KRWA utility member representatives.  The first award was presented to Joe Elliott, Southeast Daviess County Water District, for his leadership in fostering a cooperative relationship among utilities in Daviess County and throughout Kentucky.  Sandra Gary, Muhlenberg County Water District #3, was also recognized for her leadership in providing a forum for professional development of utility administrative personnel in Kentucky.

KRWA wishes to give special thanks to all of the sponsors who made this year’s event such a success!  We especially note our Platinum Sponsors, HD Supply Waterworks and Badger Meter; Wascon; American Development Company; our Gold Sponsors, Morgan Keegan; Rubin and Hays; and C.I. Thornburg; and our Bronze Sponsors: Bell Engineering; GSC – Water Division; Insurors of Kentucky; Kentucky Glass Lined Tank Systems; Mueller Company; Neptune Equipment Company; S & K Equipment Company; Straeffer Pump & Supply; and The Crom Corporation.

Mark your calendars for next year’s conference at the Hyatt Regency Hotel and Convention Center in Lexington, Kentucky, August 29-31, 2011!