Local man wins award for contributions to Water Protection

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- The work of water protection employees generally goes unnoticed by many residents, but one local man is getting his due with a recent honor.

Billy Nolan, the city's assistant superintendent of water protection, recently received the Operator of the Year award for a large facility from the Missouri Water Environment Association.

Nolan has been with the water protection department for seven years, serving as the assistant superintendent for six months. He said it was a surprise to win the award.

"It was more of just shock and, you know, 'why me' kind of deal," Nolan said. "To me, I can pick five other people here at this plant that I'd much rather have an award than myself."

Edward Leaverton, the city's superintendent of water protection, works with Nolan daily and said he is the right person to be honored.

"It couldn't have gone to a more deserving or better person," Leaverton said. "He's such a hard-working, committed individual. He spends a lot of time here building relationships, helping new employees, helping other employees evolve their careers. He's a great asset to this community and we're lucky to have him."

Nolan said many may not know what goes on in his facility.

"Most people that drive by here, they don't know the majority of anything this place does," Nolan said. "So, just the overall learning of basically everything that comes down to sewer lines coming in here and the quality of water that we put out after all our biological processes is pretty amazing."

Nolan said while he appreciates the award, accolades are not why he comes to work.

"I don't do my job for recognition, I do this job because I actually believe in what we do and try to put out the best effluent water that we can to protect the animals and everyone, you know, on south of us health-wise," Nolan said. "So that's my award is producing the best that I can do here."