Summer 2009 - Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority

Lab Director Earns Excellence AwardJosephine “Josie” Longoria, regional laboratory director at theGuadalupe-Blanco River Authority (GBRA), was honored withthe 2008 Laboratory Analyst Excellence Award by the WaterEnvironment Association of Texas (WEAT).The WEAT Laboratory Analyst Excellence Award recognizesan individual for outstanding performance, professionalism, andcontributions to the water quality analysis profession. Longoria earnedrecognition because of her extensive involvement in the education ofher peers in the science and water resources community while takingon leadership roles with enthusiasm and dedication. Formal recognitionfor WEAT awards occurred at Texas Water 2009.“WEAT is pleased to recognize Ms. Longoria for heraccomplishments and service to the water utility laboratoryprofession,” said Carol Batterton, WEAT’s executive director. “Ourorganization is fortunate to have such a dedicated professional in thisimportant area.”Longoria began her career after graduating from West Texas A&MUniversity with a degree in Biology and Chemistry. Her 16 years in thelab have included working for the Texas A&M Extension Lab, the A&LAgricultural Lab, as well as the South East Water Reclamation PlantLaboratory in Lubbock, Texas.After joining the GBRA in 2002 as a laboratory analyst, Longoriaeventually was promoted to regional laboratory director in 2003. Shewas instrumental in organizing the GBRA Regional Lab’s first attemptin acquiring its NELAC accreditation for both drinking water andwastewater. Longoria described the task as a monumental undertaking,requiring her to act as a quality assurance officer and lab director.“Ms. Longoria is a dedicated professional working every day toprotect the natural resources of our basin and promote the laboratoryanalyst profession,” said Debbie Magin, GBRA director of water quality.Longoria hasalso assisted withaddressing the NELACInstitute requirementsin Texas. She has beeninvolved in the TexasWater OperationsChallenge, a teamstyle competition thataddresses challengesrequiring immediateaction in waterresources. She servesas chair of TexasWater’s OperationsChallenge and recentlybecame this year’schair elect for the LabAnalyst Section (LAS).Longoria is an activePhoto by Tammy Beutnagelmember in the water resourcescommunity as a member of the Water Environment Association ofTexas (WEAT), Water Environment Federation (WEF), American WaterWorks Association (AWWA), Texas American Water Works Association(TAWWA) The NELAC Institute (TNI), and as President of the LASAlamo chapter of Texas Water Utilities Association (TWUA).The Water Environment Association of Texas is a memberassociation of the Water Environment Federation (WEF) and has morethan 1,500 members.SMWTP Gets Third TOP Ops RecognitionPhoto by Tammy BeutnagelLeft to Right: Darel Ball, Trey Sibert, Richard Clinton, Joe Long andJerry Sharp.The San Marcos Water Treatment Plant operators earned their third TOP OpsAward from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).The Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority is the contract operator for the City ofSan Marcos’ water treatment plant. The facility uses surface water from CanyonReservoir to reduce the city’s pumping from the Edwards Aquifer by an average of75 percent.TOPS Ops, an award given when the TCEQ’s technical review and oversightteam determines that the water plant operators have successfully met all rigorouscriteria for a comprehensive performance evaluation in a specific period of time.“Three consecutive awards speaks volumes about the level of excellence ouroperators bring to this service,” said Bill West, GBRA general manager. “We arealso fortunate to work with a city and staff that is as forward-thinking about itsutility operations as San Marcos.”4