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Buckeye Water District No. 50 - 2018 LRWA Water System of the Year

Buckeye Water District No. 50, Inc., received highest honors recently at the Louisiana Rural Water Association’s annual banquet when they were named the 2018 Water System of the Year North for Outstanding Operation and Maintenance.

The LRWA Awards Program was established to recognize the outstanding efforts of Rural Water and Wastewater Systems and their personnel. Of all the systems across the state, Buckeye Water District No. 50, Inc. was selected as this year’s winner for their dedication to providing safe drinking water and/or helping maintain a cleaner environment through their efforts in the water and/or wastewater industry in Louisiana.

Buckeye Water District No. 50, Inc. held its first board meeting 47 years ago, on May 25, 1971. The system was established with two water wells, two 100,000-gallon storage tanks and approximately 120 miles of water lines to serve 750 meters. The minimum water rate was $5.50.

Today, Buckeye Water District has five water wells, two elevated storage tanks and two ground storage tanks. The system covers 85 square miles and has over 150 miles of main water lines. Currently, total membership is 4,528 meters. The current minimum water rate is $10.00, only $4.50 higher than it was in 1971. The system currently has 2 certified operators on staff. Meyer, Meyer, LaCroix & Hixson, Inc. has served as the district’s engineer for the last 19 years and also designed the original water system in 1971.

Buckeye Water District No. 50 has been making significant infrastructure improvements throughout the system. Radio read meters are being installed. The system will have more efficient, accurate and responsive service with these improvements.

Buckeye Water District is proud to accept the award of 2018 Water System of the Year North. They give credit to years of good management practices, dedicated Board of Directors, excellent, dependable staff and their concerned customers for reporting leaks, suspicious activity and paying their bills on time.  

Pictured above are Buckeye Water District No. 50's President, David Richey and Board Members, Lloyd Price and Roy Mays accepting the Louisiana Rural Water Association 2018 Water System of the Year Award.