Watts announces Backflow Hero Award winners
August 23, 2024 | By HPAC Magazine
Award presented as part of Watts' National Backflow Prevention Day on August 16.
Dave Watson of Dave Watson Associates and Jim Purzycki of BAVCO received Watts’ 2024 Backflow Hero Award. (Source: Watts)
As part of its National Backflow Prevention Day on August 16, Watts awarded its Backflow Hero Award to Dave Watson of Dave Watson Associates and Jim Purzycki of Backflow Apparatus and Valve Company (BAVCO).
The award is presented by Watts to individuals who have a passion for protecting drinking water and display innovative and creative thinking, a commitment to education and uphold best practices and standards pertaining to backflow prevention. Winners are nominated by peers across the backflow prevention industry and receive a trophy in addition to a donation made in their name to help provide clean water worldwide.
Dave Watson has worked in the cross-connection control field since the 1970s and teaches as part of the Michigan Plumbing & Mechanical Contractor’s Association (MPMCA)’s cross-connection testing classes. Watson trained pipe fitters at GM, Ford and Chrysler in his early career and currently presents to inspector groups including PIAM, Tri-County and SEMPIA.
Jim Purzycki has over 40 years of experience in the backflow prevention and cross-connection sector, and is heavily involved with organizations including the American Backflow Prevention Association (ABPA) and the University of Southern California Foundation for Cross-Connection Control and Hydraulic Research (USCFCCCHR). Over his career he has developed spec sheets, models and parts for various assemblies and maintains a website featuring training videos on backflow repair, installation, and maintenance.
