Watts has introduced the recipients of its inaugural Backflow Hero Award. Recipients have been chosen by the Watts backflow management workforce from nominations from the Watts gross sales group and rep community.

The Backflow Hero Award acknowledges those that have made a major influence within the subject of backflow prevention and people that embody the next qualities:

• Ardour for Defending Consuming Water: Demonstrates an unwavering dedication to safeguarding ingesting water from the risks of backflow.
• Revolutionary and Inventive Pondering: Generates recent, ingenious concepts round backflow prevention.
• Dedication to Schooling: Actively seeks and offers persevering with schooling concerning the significance and strategies of backflow prevention.
• Enforcement of Greatest Practices: Upholds and promotes the very best requirements and greatest practices in backflow prevention.

The 2024 Backflow Hero Award recipients are:

Dave Watson – Dave Watson Associates

Dave started working within the cross-connection management subject within the Seventies, touring from city to city to elucidate the necessity for CCC applications because the codes have been being developed. Dave is devoted to discovering the perfect merchandise to guard programs whereas managing the influence on clients. Over time, he has advisable vacuum breaker designs, provided constructive enchancment concepts, and produced backflow preventer restore movies.

Dave teaches in any respect Michigan Plumbing & Mechanical Contractor’s Affiliation (MPMCA) cross connection testing lessons. He additionally presents to inspector teams corresponding to PIAM, Tri-County, and SEMPIA. In his early years, he educated pipe fitters at GM, Ford, and Chrysler. He continually interacts with native code authorities, addressing product listings and set up points, and speaks instantly with clients to collect suggestions.

Jim Purzycki – Backflow Equipment and Valve Firm (BAVCO)

Jim is a extremely skilled professional in backflow prevention and cross-connection management, with over 40 years of dedication to the sphere. Water company personnel regularly search his recommendation, and plenty of of his revolutionary concepts have influenced backflow merchandise obtainable right this moment. Jim is deeply dedicated to schooling, having served as an teacher and moderator at quite a few backflow and water conferences nationwide. He stays an lively mentor, instructing others about backflow prevention.

Jim is closely concerned with the American Backflow Prevention Affiliation (ABPA) at each nationwide and native ranges. He collaborates intently with producers and approval our bodies just like the College of Southern California Basis for Cross-Connection Management and Hydraulic Analysis (USCFCCCHR). He has developed a complete catalog of spec sheets, fashions, and elements for numerous assemblies and maintains an internet site with coaching movies on backflow meeting restore, set up, and upkeep. His three warehouse areas cowl your entire U.S., reflecting his lifelong dedication to backflow prevention throughout all manufacturers.

To be taught extra, go to watts.com/our-story/backflow-hero-award.