The South Dakota Water and Wastewater Association has created a recognition plaque for South Dakota certified operators. The award is named after and in honor of a co-founder and charter member of the Association, Siger Bies of Aberdeen, who was a wastewater treatment plant operator and superintendent in that city for 46 years. Starting as a new operator in 1922, Siger came up through the ranks until he retired in 1968, after years with grit and sludge. Therefore, the Executive Committee decided to give this honor in the name of Siger Bies. Siger passed away in 1997 at the age of 96.
Siger Bies Award Qualifications:
- Any person actively engaged in water and/or wastewater treatment operations for THIRTY (30) years. Ten of which shall be in the state of South Dakota. It shall be understood the time spent in the armed forces of the United States shall count toward this award if such time be after the initial period of work in the water and/or wastewater treatment operations, and
- Shall have been an active member of the South Dakota Water and Wastewater Association for five (5) of the last seven (7) years and a member during the year the award is made, (honorary members qualify) and
- Shall be duly recommended by an Association member to the Secretary of the South Dakota Water and Wastewater Association, and
- Shall be certified as an operator (any classification level, any category) by the State of South Dakota during the year the award is made, and
- Shall meet all these qualifications as decided by the Price-Rees Committee (in lieu of this award having its own committee) to be entitled to the recognition of the Award.
Plaque and Presentation
The Siger Bies award is a plaque on which the recipient's name, affiliation, and the year will be engraved. Nominations for the award shall be submitted before July 15th. The plaque becomes the permanent property of the Award Winner. The award is presented at the Annual Conference banquet.
The Siger Bies award is a plaque on which the recipient's name, affiliation, and the year will be engraved. Nominations for the award shall be submitted before July 15th. The plaque becomes the permanent property of the Award Winner. The award is presented at the Annual Conference banquet.
View the list of previous Siger Bies Award Recipients here.