This nomination recognizes the inspiring work of the CT. Section of the American Water Works Association, the Connecticut Department of Public Health, Portland High School and the Town of Portland in embracing the challenge of training a new cadre of water system operators who will be ready to take on green jobs in the water sector. The Water and People Course created by veteran science teacher Seb Agostino and long time water professional Dave Kuzminski is in its second year at Portland High School and is proving very popular among high school seniors with its hands-on instruction, engaging field trips and variety of guest speakers from the water industry. Senior students at end of the course will be taking the small water system operators certification exam administered by the Connecticut Department of Public Health Water Supply Section.

CT. Section AWWA Chairman John Herlihy and Portland’s own Dave Kuzminski along with First Selectwomen Susan Bransfield made the trek to Boston’s historic Faneuil Hall where the United States Environmental Protection Agency bestowed its most prestigious Environmental Merit Awards for 2010. The Merit Award is the highest external award that the agency bestows and was awarded in the second floor meeting hall which was the site where historic men such as John Quincy Adams, Samuel Adams and James Otis encouraged independence from Great Britain.

(Captions from left to right)

Region 1 Bureau Chief Jane Downing, David Kuzminski	First Selectwomen Susan Bransfield, Jane Downing Bureau Chief, David Kuzminski
Ct. Section Chairman John Herlihy, Jane Downing, Region 1 Bureau Chief, David Kuzminski	Curt Spalding, EPA Regional Administrator, New England, John Herlihy, Ct. Section AWWA Chairman, Gina McCarthy Assistant Administrator EPA, Washington DC, David Kuzminski