The Water Environment Federation (WEF) has selected Gulf Coast Authority (GCA) for its annual Water Heroes Award. This award recognizes individuals or municipalities who performed duties above and beyond the usual call of duty during an emergency situation to continue to protect the public health and the environment.
This year’s award specifically recognizes the efforts of GCA employees who maintained wastewater services during Winter Storm Uri in February 2021. Personnel worked in challenging conditions to maintain treatment services and repair damage. Compliance sampling continued during the storm and sampling teams took pride in their completion rate despite the extraordinary circumstances.
“Employees were true heroes – working tirelessly and selflessly to fulfill our mission through twin challenges of an extended deep freeze and the pandemic,” said Franklin D.R. Jones Jr., Chairman, GCA Board of Directors.
Most exceptionally, GCA employees continued to maintain wastewater treatment service even as their own families and properties were suffering hardship or damage.
“Our employees demonstrated their commitment to meeting our mission during a time of great hardship,” said Elizabeth Fazio Hale, General Manager/CEO of GCA. “ “It is times like these that really show the true grit, strong ingenuity, and sacrifice of our GCA team. It is an honor and a privilege to serve alongside the amazing employees of GCA.”
The Water Heroes Award will be presented by WEF to GCA at the Water Environment Federation fall conference on October 11, 2022, in New Orleans, LA.
Gulf Coast Authority was created by the Texas Legislature in 1969 to protect the waters of the State of Texas through environmentally sound, economically feasible, and technologically advanced wastewater and water management practices. GCA provides regional industrial and municipal wastewater treatment services, solid waste management, industrial water services, and financial services – all with the goal to protect the environment, preserve water resources, and promote industrial development for a strong economy. For more information, please visit www.gcatx.org.
