For Tap Talk’s landmark 75th episode, we welcomed on Hunter Adams, the Water Source & Purification Superintendent for the City of Wichita Falls, Texas. With Jennifer & Steve, Hunter discusses the importance of getting involved with the water industry and giving back to the water community. Hunter also explains the story behind the series of “What Operators Need to Know” articles he writes and edits for the American Water Works Association’s OpFlow magazine.
Topics Discussed
- Meet Hunter Adams | LinkedIn | ResearchGate
- Hunter’s Water Heroes:
- Djanette Khiari: Former research manager at the Water Research Foundation.
- Gary Burlingame: Former Director of Philadelphia Water‘s Bureau of Lab Services.
- Hunter’s background in the water industry and his journey to his current role
- The evolution of Hunter’s volunteer work in the water industry
- Working with AWWA both nationally and on a state level
- The development of the “What Operators Need to Know” series in Opflow
- Also available as a handbook for purchase
- Why must operators understand the “why” behind the “what” in their jobs?
- How can we better support operators who are not connected to professional organizations, especially small system operators?
- The new knowledge, tools, and changes in the water field Hunter is most excited about — like the advancement of water reuse!
“Just get involved wherever you are, especially as a small system operator. Don’t be complacent. Don’t do this as just a paycheck. You can come in every day, you can learn something new. You can make yourself better and that’s going to make your system better.”Hunter Adams
Go Further
You’re invited to discuss the episode in our LinkedIn Group. If you decide to share on Twitter, please use the hashtag #TapTalkPodcast. And, of course, make sure to subscribe in Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app.
About the Guest
Hunter Adams is the Water Source & Purification Superintendent for the City of Wichita Falls, Texas. Prior to becoming superintendent in 2024, Hunter worked in various roles in Wichita Falls’ environmental laboratory beginning in 2014. He is a licensed Water and Wastewater Operator by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality; and he also serves as the Standard Methods Part 6000 Coordinator – Individual Organic Compounds, as an AWWA Trustee in the Water Quality Technology Division, as a WateReuse Texas Board Trustee, as the AWWA representative to the Environmental Monitoring Coalition, and on the Opflow Editorial Advisory Board.
Hunter holds an MS and a BS in biology from Midwestern State University.