NC0027103_State Award_20071102

Michael F. Easley, Governor
A I VA
NCDENR
NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
William G. Ross Jr., Secretary
N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Release: IMMEDIATE Contact: Susan Massengale
Date: Nov. 2, 2007 Phone: [phone], ext.227
PEMBROKE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT OPERATOR RECEIVES STATE AWARD FOR
EXCELLENCE
• RALEIGH — Rhonda Hagan Locklear, operator in responsible charge for the Pembroke Wastewater
Treatment Plant, is the 2007 recipient of the Wilbur E. Long Municipal Operator of The Year Award for
outstanding performance in her profession.
The award will be presented to Hagan Locklear on Monday, Nov. 5 during the Pembroke Town Council
meeting. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the Pembroke Town Hall, 100 South Union Chapel Road, Pembroke.
Paul Rawls, chairman of the Water Pollution Control System Operator Certification Commission, will present the
award. Hagan Locklear also will be recognized at the 87th Annual Conference of the American Water Works
Association and Water Environment Association in Charlotte on Dec. 3.
Hagan Locklear became operator in responsible charge at the Pembroke Wastewater Treatment Plant in
April 2004. She is also the laboratory manager for the facility. The facility has an exemplary National Pollutant
Discharge Elimination System compliance record.
Regulators and consultants who worked with her say that Hagan Locklear always has had an inquisitive
nature and the desire to make the wastewater process operate better and more efficient. She is known for her
willingness to help others understand issues regarding wastewater treatment plant processes or laboratory
analyses. Hagan Locklear enjoys taking the time to teach other operators about the wastewater profession. She is
definitely an asset to the profession in North Carolina.
She teaches at Biological Wastewater Grade I & II schools held at Robeson Community College, annual
schools held at the McKimmon Center for Extension & Continuing Education at N.C. State University and the
N.C. Division of Water Quality's annual operator schools held at the N.C. Department of Environment and
Natural Resources' Fayetteville Regional Office.
The Wilbur E. Long Award is bestowed on a North Carolina operator of a municipal, industrial or animal
water pollution control system who exhibits outstanding knowledge and innovation in the continuing operation of
a wastewater system. The award honors a person who has contributed time toward training, education and
building professional values and devised, discovered or invented devices or techniques that enhance the science
of system operation. The award, established by the Water Pollution Control System Operator Certification
Commission, is presented only when the commission considers an operator to be deserving of special
recognition.
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