DC Water General Manager George S. Hawkins was awarded the prestigious George Warren Fuller Award by the Chesapeake section of the American Water Works Association (AWWA) during its annual meeting. The award recognizes Hawkins’ “exceptional and extraordinary” service and leadership to the water sector through a career of environmental and watershed protection.

The George Warren Fuller Awards are presented annually by the American Water Works Association for distinguished service to the water supply field in commemoration of the sound engineering skill, the brilliant diplomatic talent and the constructive leadership which characterized the life of George Warren Fuller.

General Manager Hawkins was recognized for exceptional service, citing a career in environmental protection and specifically in his leadership at DC Water. Since his arrival in 2009, DC Water has embarked on two massive engineering projects to protect the environment and a third that will generate power from wastewater using a technology new to North America. DC Water has also tripled its water main replacements and begun a sewer lining program that significantly reduces open trench replacement. Customer communication and transparency have been key, as DC Water has expanded its social media, community outreach and relationships throughout the District.

Commenting on the award, Mr. Hawkins said, “It is always a pleasure to be recognized for leadership in your field. I am proud of the work we are doing at DC Water— large-scale projects, research and innovation, maintaining aging infrastructure, and increasing customer communication. It is only because of the spectacular skill and experience of the people on the team, doing the work in the field, that I get accolades like this. I am incredibly humbled to be honored, because I feel honored to be part of the group that does this work.”

The awards ceremony was held August 28 at the Ocean City Convention Center in Ocean City, Maryland.