The South Dakota Association of Rural Water Systems (SDARWS) has awarded Robert Durham, Plant Manager of the Randall Community Water District (RCWD) with the Donald B. Pospishil Award on January 10, 2019 during their Annual Technical Conference. This award honors the work of Don Pospishil who dedicated many years of his life to helping small water systems across South Dakota and is presented to individuals who demonstrate leadership abilities in the water supply field; provide quality service to consumers; and exhibit professionalism and dedication while operating and maintaining a small water system.

Robert (Buzz) Durham began his career with Randall Community Water District on November 4, 1986. 2019 will mark his 33rd year in service with rural water. Buzz has taken his service to rural water to the top of the service mountain. He became Plant Manager for RCWD’s Pickstown and Platte water treatment facilities. He manages the Plant Operators and is essential in providing over one billion gallons of water annually to RCWD’s customers. The changes in standards of treatment operations and fiscal management throughout his career have been taken in stride and the knowledge gained has been shared with each new operator he has trained.

The Durham family has a proven track record in rural water service; as Clarence Durham, Buzz’s father, worked for RCWD as well. Values, ethics and customer service is the standard of the Durham family. Another tribute to Mr. Durham is that, while serving rural water, he also served his country in the National Guard and has retired after twenty-five years of service.

The 2019 South Dakota Rural Water Annual Technical Conference hosted over 500 individuals and provided water and wastewater educationalpresentations for board members, managers, and water operations specialists from throughout South Dakota.