OUTSTANDING WATER RESOURCE OPERATOR AWARD

The New York Water Environment Association (NYWEA), headquartered in Syracuse, recognized Ron Kenny of Westchester County with an Outstanding Operator of the Year Award, which is given annually to honor a water resource recovery operator in each of NYWEA”™s regional chapters across the state. The award commemorates extraordinary dedication in the 

day-to-day operation of a water resource recovery utility or a successful solution to a problem and/or contributions to the wastewater field giving recognition to operations personnel who are essential in mitigating operational challenges.

Kenny was born and grew up in County Galway, Ireland, and immigrated to the United States in 1996. He was a carpenter by trade until he was hired by Westchester County in 2008 as an operator trainee. In 2009, Kenny was promoted to operator. In 2014, he was promoted to supervising operator 

at the Yonkers Joint Wastewater Treatment Plant where he has been for seven years. During these years he has kept the facility from having any major upsets or permit violations from wet weather events. His knowledge of the facility and his calm steady demeanor set the example for other employees to follow. 

Founded in 1929 by professionals in the field of water quality as a nonprofit educational organization, NYWEA has 2,500 members statewide and hosts several technical conferences each year for environmental engineers, scientists, water resource recovery operators, public officials and others who work in water and wastewater quality management.