North Andover, Massachusetts — In honour of National Backflow Prevention Day, Watts Water Technologies awarded its Backflow Hero Award to Dave Watson of Dave Watson Associates and Jim Purzycki of Backflow Apparatus and Valve Company (BAVCO).
The Backflow Hero Award recognizes individuals passionate about protecting drinking water, demonstrating innovative and creative thinking, being committed to education, and upholding best practices and standards regarding backflow prevention. It is given out every year on National Backflow Prevention Day.
Watson began his career in cross-connection control in the 1970s, travelling from town to town to explain the need for cross-connection control (CCC) programs as the codes were being developed.
Additionally, Watson teaches cross-connection testing classes at Michigan Plumbing and Mechanical Contractor’s Associations and presents to inspector groups such as PIAM, Tri-County, and SEMPIA.
With over 40 years of experience in the backflow prevention and cross-connection sector, Purzycki was honoured due to his involvement with industry organizations such as the American Backflow Prevention Association (ABPA) and the University of Southern California Foundation for Cross-Connection Control and Hydraulic Research (USCFCCCHR).
Purzycki has served as an instructor and moderator at numerous backflow and water conferences across the United States and has developed a comprehensive catalogue of spec sheets, models, and parts for various assemblies and maintains a website with training videos on backflow assembly repair, installation, and maintenance.