A pair of wastewater professionals who for many years have worked on behalf of industry causes and advancement were honored by COLE Publishing and the National Association of Wastewater Transporters at the Pumper & Cleaner Environmental Expo International last month in Louisville.

Recognized for a generation of good work were David Hapchuk, owner of Hapchuk Inc. and Liquid Assets Disposal, and Don Vermeulen, retired owner of the Meyers Company. Hapchuk received the NAWT Excellence in Service Award and Vermeulen was bestowed with the Ralph Macchio Lifetime Achievement Award, an honor presented by Bob Kendall of COLE Publishing and COLE Inc.

EXCELLENCE IN SERVICE

Among his many industry contributions, Hapchuk hosted NAWT’s 2010 Waste Treatment Symposium at his company headquarters in Washington, Pa., and his treatment facility in Wheeling, W. Va.

Tom Ferrero, outgoing executive director of NAWT, said Hapchuk has been a consistent promoter of pumping professionalism over the years.

“Dave has spent a lifetime supporting this industry,’’ Ferrero says. “From the early days of working with his father, through his help in the development and growth of the Pennsylvania Septage Management Association, and involvement with NAWT as a prime sponsor of the William Hapchuk Memorial Scholarship, Dave has supported this industry. His hosting of the NAWT Waste Treatment Symposium was the icing on the cake. The industry owes Dave a debt of gratitude.’’

In a story in Pumper leading up to the symposium, Hapchuk said he wanted to promote the idea of pumpers building their own processing plants to take control of their disposal destiny.

“It makes you more independent. Your ability to do business isn’t depending on someone else’s plant where they can shut you down at any point,’’ Hapchuk said at the time. “Pumpers who want to do their own pre-treatment need to realize that putting these processes in place is a team effort between all the players. It’s important to have good relationships with vendors and compliance staff.’’

MACCHIO AWARD

Vermeulen, with more than 50 years in the industry, recently sold his Macedon, N.Y., company specializing in onsite system installation. The Macchio Award was given by COLE Publishing and COLE Inc., sponsor of the Pumper & Cleaner Environmental Expo International.

“Don has shown a lifetime commitment to the things we all find important in this industry. That’s professionalism and education,’’ says Rick Howe of Cape Cod Biochemical Co., who nominated Vermeulen for the award. “Don is truly a gentleman and he really exhibits everything that we would like this industry to be.’’

Howe said Vermeulen has always been on the cutting edge of industry technology and has continued to be involved in education conferences, from the Pennsylvania Septage Management Association to the Pumper & Cleaner Expo Education Day.

Heading into retirement, Vermeulen reinforced his interest in building industry professionalism.

“The more knowledge we can share within the industry, the better we all will be, and all customer relationships will improve as a result,” Vermeulen said in summing up his philosophy in the 2010 profile story about his company. “My career supports this.”

GREAT EXPECTATIONS

Congratulations to Hapchuk and Vermeulen. Their dedication and commitment to the industry is admirable. We’re better off, thanks to their example.