Davison wins national water excellence award

By Monica Dufour
INDEX Staff Writer

DAVISON — When Davison city officials say they have the best water around, they’re not kidding. The city was selected by American Water Works Association as this year’s recipient of the National Excellence Source Water Protection Award for North America.

Davison City Clerk Andrea Schroeder will receive the award in Atlanta, Ga., June 9. “I’m really excited,” said City Clerk Andrea Schroeder. “As far as I know, this is the first national award the city of Davison has received.”

Schroeder has been involved with the source water protection for Davison since 2003 when she was the DPW clerk. Over the years she’s applied for and received five grants for water protection totaling $200,000. Schroeder has been all over the community, promoting the importance of groundwater protection.

Davison wasn’t just selected to receive the prestigious award out of a hat — Schroeder said it took a combined effort from members of Department of Public Works, the Source Water Protection team and members of the Davison community. Schroeder said the water treatment facility, which opened in 2005, also had a hand in making Davison’s water the best.

Schroeder said in order to compete for the national award, the city had to be selected by the state in September, 2006.

Schroeder said she also credits the efforts of the Source Water Protection team: DPW member Matt Sytek, DPW Director Brian Klaassen and the late former DPW director Scott Yaklin, Genesee Health Department member Jerrilyn Pratt, Davison-Richfield Fire Chief Mike Wright, Davison Community Development Director Colleen Hackney, Davison Community Schools Director of Finance and Operations Dan Romzek, DTV Video Producer Sandy Coots, Davison Township Superintendent Kurt Soper, Richfield Township Supervisor Jim Jacques and former city manager Peter Auger.

Schroeder said the city is scheduling a celebration for the city’s water award the end of June.