GBA Receives Award from Hillsdale Water Quality Project

GBA's Les Barnt, Associate head of the firm's Stormwater/Environmental Group, accepted the Hillsdale Water Quality Project's (HWQP) 2009 Water Quality Supporter of the Year Business Award on behalf of the firm. Les currently serves on the HWQP board of directors. The award was presented to GBA for "outstanding effort and dedication to improve, restore, and protect water quality in Hillsdale Lake."  Kudos to Les and to members of his group who have been involved.

Hillsdale Lake is located in Miami County, Kansas, and contributes to flood protection on the Marais des Cygnes, Osage, and Missouri rivers. As a flood control device, it is designed to contain more than 7,000 surface acres. It serves as a recreational destination for more than 2 million visitors annually.

Yet Hillsdale's water quality was threatened by phosphorous, nitrogen, pesticides, and wastewater treatment discharges within the watershed. In 1991, concerned citizens initiated the Hillsdale Lake Water Quality Protection Project to help ensure the long-term protection of the lake and its watershed. To date, the Project has been very effective in assisting communities with learning to protect their water resources to sustain growth and the growing demand for water.