Ohio County Water District Receives 2025 Wooden Bucket Award

Louisville, KY – August 19, 2025 – Ohio County Water District (OCWD) is honored to announce that we have been awarded the 2025 Wooden Bucket Award, the highest statewide recognition presented by the Kentucky Rural Water Association (KRWA). The award was presented during KRWA’s 46th Annual Conference & Exhibition at the Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville.

The Wooden Bucket Award, established in 1990, is presented annually to one Kentucky utility that has demonstrated substantial, lasting improvements in customer service and water quality, exceptional operational performance, and strong regulatory compliance. OCWD was selected from a distinguished group of ten nominees representing utilities across the Commonwealth.

KRWA’s Executive Director, Scott Young, praised OCWD, stating:

“The Ohio County Water District represents the very best of what a utility can achieve. Their dedication to quality service, strong management, and innovative projects sets a standard for all of Kentucky’s water systems. We are proud to celebrate their achievements with this year’s Wooden Bucket Award.”

Why OCWD Was Recognized

OCWD was recognized for sustained excellence across:

• Water Quality & Compliance – consistently meeting and exceeding state and federal standards.

• Financial Stewardship – maintaining clean audits and forward-thinking fiscal management.

• Asset Management & Capital Planning – proactive system upgrades and long-term planning.

• Workforce Development & Safety – investing in staff training, certifications, and workplace safety.

• System Mapping/GIS & Infrastructure – maintaining accurate system maps and modernized infrastructure.

• Public Outreach & Education – engaging our community and promoting water education.

  
  

As General Manager Eric Hickman, P.E., shared during the conference:

“This award belongs to our employees and our Board. It recognizes years of disciplined work, meeting standards every day, planning ahead, and serving our customers with safe, reliable, affordable water.”

About OCWD

OCWD serves approximately 6,200 customers across Ohio, Daviess, Breckinridge, Grayson, and McLean counties, and provides wholesale service to Beaver Dam, Centertown, and Fordsville.

Nearly 1,000 water professionals, exhibitors, and industry partners attended the 2025 KRWA Conference to celebrate utilities making a difference in Kentucky communities. In partnership with USDA Rural Development, all finalists were recognized, with OCWD receiving the top honor as the 2025 Wooden Bucket Award recipient.

Award Presentation Photo

(Insert group photo here — from left to right: Scott Young, P.E. – KRWA Executive Director; Ben Elliott – OCWD Maintenance & Treatment Manager; Eric Hickman, P.E. – OCWD General Manager; Chad Smith – OCWD Distribution Manager; Travis Burton – USDA Rural Development State Director; Christina O’Bryan – KRWA Board President)

For more on the history of the Wooden Bucket Award, visit: KRWA Wooden Bucket Award Overview