Aquarion Water Co. Director of Water Quality and Environmental Management John Herlihy was recently honored at the Connecticut section of the American Water Works Association (CTAWWA) Annual Conference held in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
Herlihy’s contributions to the public drinking water industry in Connecticut were recognized by his peers as he was selected to receive the George Warren Fuller Award from the American Water Works Association (AWWA), the drinking water industry’s national organization.
“John Herlihy’s legacy of service is noteworthy not only to Aquarion, but to our entire industry,” said Charles V. Firlotte, Aquarion president and chief executive officer. “John’s commitment of 40 years to delivering safe, clean water to our customers is an outstanding achievement, and I could not think of a more deserving winner of the Fuller Award.”
Herlihy, whose responsibilities at Aquarion include directing water quality control and environmental management for more than 80 public water supply systems, started his career at the company in 1973 as a microbiologist in the water quality laboratory, following graduation from Fairfield University.
He is a past CTAWWA Board of Directors chairman and long-standing chair of the organization’s Water Utility Council. He was also a founding member of the Regulations and Research Committee and the Laboratory Operations Committee of the CTAWWA.
He received the New England Water Works Leadership Award in 2012 for his contributions to the advancement of excellence in the Connecticut water works profession.
In receiving the 2013 Fuller Award, a national recognition and AWWA’s highest award, Herlihy was also honored for playing a leadership role in a number of industry and company initiatives. These include the association’s “Water Boot Camp” and internship programs, which have provided students in Bridgeport, New Haven and Hartford with opportunities to learn about job opportunities in the drinking water profession, and also for his leadership in national level legislative and regulatory affairs.
In addition to his service on behalf of Aquarion and AWWA, Herlihy is president of the Kiwanis Club and has been a Special Olympics soccer coach for 30 years. In 2012, he was inducted into Kiwanis International’s Legion of Honor.
He is the father of three adult children and lives with his wife, Suzanne, in Fairfield.