Utility’s Chief Engineer Honored

The New Jersey Section, American Water Works Association (NJAWWA), recently awarded the water industry’s highest honor, the George Warren Fuller Award to William Hutchinson, P.E., Chief Engineer/Superintendent of The Southeast Morris County Municipal Utilities Authority (SMCMUA).

Citing his distinguished record in the water supply field, sound engineering skills and leadership ability, the Association recognized the more than $30 million of capital improvements Mr. Hutchinson has supervised during his 15 years as SMCMUA’s Chief Engineer.  Hutchinson’s accomplishments have made the SMCMUA system one of the “jewels” of the industry.  Under his engineering direction SMCMUA has provided for the water supply needs of its customers through the year 2020 while continuing to improve water quality.  He was also honored for his leadership in the American Water Works Association where he served as Section Chair and is currently an International Director.

According to Harry G. Gerken, Executive Director, Hutchinson provided the technical groundwork for virtually all of the Authority’s major projects.  “Bill’s vision of water supply has been a guiding force for this organization.  Under his leadership, we constructed the McCabe Well, acquired and rehabilitated the Greystone Wells and became partners with New Jersey American in a 13.5 mile pipeline bringing much needed surface water into Morris County.”

Hutchinson, a BS and MS graduate of New Jersey Institute of Technology, was surprised and please to receive the industry’s highest award.  “Every engineer in the water supply field secretly hopes to receive this honor.  While I am extremely proud to be honored by my colleagues, the vision and financial commitment of the SMCMUA Board made all of these projects possible,” he said.

The Madison resident has over 20 years of public sector water experience including Director of Public Works for Pequannock where his work to improve the water system earned him the title of “Water Wizard” in the local press.  “I wish I had a magic wand to make this drought disappear!  I am just thankful that our customers have a solid water system that works on sound engineering, not wishful thinking”, Hutchinson concluded.

The Southeast Morris County Municipal Utilities Authority is Morris County’s larges public water purveyor serving 18,500 customers in Morristown, Morris Township, Morris Plains and Hanover Township with some service in Mendham and Harding townships.  On a typical day, over 100,000 people including some of the County’s largest employers rely on SMCMUA’s water supply.

For further information contact:

Harry G. Gerken, Executive Director

Office   973-326-6865

Home   973-252-7851