Katsel Receives State Award

WAITSBURG - Waitsburg Public Works Director Dan Katsel is one of five Washington state award winning "water pros." The first week in May is National Drinking Water Week, the week when the state Department of Health (DOH) honors the work and dedication of water system operators who work to make Washington water some of the safest and best-tasting tap water in the world, according to a DOH press release.

"It takes an incredible amount of knowledge, dedication and hard work to keep water systems running well," said Clark Halvorson, director of the agency's Office of Drinking Water. "I couldn't be prouder of the thousands of men and women who work in the drinking water sector in Washington. Narrowing the list of nominees to five wasn't easy."

Operating a water system is a demanding job involving multiple skills including planning, engineering, construction, quality monitoring, budgeting, among other things. The five individuals honored this year received recognitions for "Ongoing Excellence," "Grace under Pressure." and "Lifetime Achievement."

Katsel will receive the Lifetime Achievement award for his 39 years of service with the City of Waitsburg. Katsel joined the City Crew in 1975, as a laborer, and worked his way to public works director. He has been involved in every aspect of the City's Public Works Department and oversees several unique features of the water system, most of which was designed in the 1930s.

Waitsburg's City Council meeting has been moved from May 21 to May 29 to accommodate Katsel's award presentation. The ceremony will take place at the Waitsburg Lion's Club Building (Waitsburg Fairgrounds) at 7 p.m.