AWWA Water Champion – Kouao-Eric Ekoue, New Brunswick, New Jersey

Kouao-Eric Ekoue is superintendent of New Brunswick Water Utility and received the 2024 Harold V. Florence, Jr., Meritorious Operator Award presented by the AWWA New Jersey Section. 

Certifications/Education: Water Treatment License Operator Class 4; Water Distribution License Operator Class 4; Public Manager Certification, Rutgers University-Newark; Electrical Engineering, Essex County College; Chemistry, Biology and Geology, University of Cocody, the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)

Career Summary: I started in the water sector as an operator for Newark Water and Sewer and worked my way up to senior water treatment operator at the Pequannock Water Treatment Plant. In 2014, I became the site supervisor for American Water Enterprise at the New Brunswick Water Utility. In 2015, I was named the assistant superintendent and in 2018 became superintendent for the New Brunswick Water Utility. (Pictured above from left, Ekoue receiving Meritorious Operator Award, with co-workers, celebrating with family.)

Job duties: I oversee all aspects of the water treatment process at the plant and the distribution system for the city of New Brunswick, which has 7,500 customer accounts and meters. I also coordinate  employee training.

What brought you to the United States from the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire? I followed my brother, Godefroy, to finish school in the United States. That was when I changed my major from electronical engineering (my brother’s major) to chemistry, biology and geology, which I really loved. My sister, Edith, and my mother, Yvette, remained in the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire.

What does winning the Meritorious Operator Award mean to you? It was humbling. I’ve had a lot of great mentors in the water industry. I try to mimic the career paths of previous Meritorious Operator Award winners like Alexei Walus, Jim Cowley, Oleg Kostin, Keith Smith, Frank Marascia, Mark Tompeck, Carol Walczyk, Andrew Pappachen, Michael Barnes, and many others. I was proud to receive that award. If you do your work with your whole heart, without looking for credit, there’s a blessing coming. I think this award was a blessing from the highest recognizing all the sweat and blood we put into our work.

What are your proudest accomplishments? When I started at New Brunswick, my director and I were the only licensed operators. Now, 80% of my operators have at least a level 1 license. I take a lot of pride in that. I try to lead by example and seeing my workforce happy and committed really touches my heart.

What have you gained from your AWWA involvement? I’m on the Registration Committee (subcommittee of Conference), which tries to make events as smooth as possible for every attendee. I remember feeling lost at AWWA events when I first started in the industry. I try to sit next to new people and have a conversation and help them know where to go.

My industry peers and I all strive to provide great water in New Jersey. We have that once-a-year celebration where we meet for a week and talk about the issues. Instead of suffering in silence, you share with others. That sharing of knowledge and interaction between peers and co-workers is priceless and it’s really needed. I also appreciate developing a partnership with regulators (NJDEP -USEPA). I always tell my peers to try not to see regulators as police but as partners. They are here to work with us and help us. They will police you if you’re not doing what you’re supposed to do, but they really want to partner with us. 

Please describe your family and personal interests. I have been married to my dear friend and support, Tanisha, for 21 years. We have a daughter, Sinai (18), and two sons, Jossai (16) and Malachai (12). We love going camping, barbecuing, playing family games. I also like to go to the shooting range and reading water magazines.