Much-honored AWWA family exemplifies passion for water profession

Just like still waters, a generational legacy of serving the water community runs deep within a family with roots in Pierce County, Wash., and the Pacific Northwest Section of the American Water Works Association.

The latest representative of three distinguished generations of water professionals is Robert “Bob” James, who recently was presented the 2022 George Warren Fuller award by PNWS-AWWA. Retired from his position as regional manager with the Washington State Department of Health’s Office of Drinking Water, James spent more than 40 years serving the water profession and the public. (Pictured right, James receives award from AWWA Vice President Angela Ballard-Landers.)

His father, Roger James (1915-1990), was utilities director for the City of Spokane, Wash., for nine years after working as a public health engineer with the Washington State Department of Health for more than 20 years. He was a chair of the PNWS-AWWA in 1965, served as an AWWA national director, and was recognized with the Fuller Award in 1975. (Pictured left, Bob with his father, Roger.)

Bob James’ grandfather, Alexander Lindsay (1880-1943), received the Fuller Award in 1939. He was Spokane’s Water Superintendent for more than 30 years and a national director of AWWA in the early 1940s. He was one of the organizers of the PNWS-AWWA in 1927 and served as chair in 1930. 

“I think they both saw the need for educational opportunities and relationship building within the water industry and believed that an organization like AWWA would meet that need,” said Bob James. 

“They both were significantly impacted by the Great Depression and one or both World Wars, and I think it affected their careers and what constituted a successful outcome,” he added. “I think that they would be surprised at how complicated things have become. An example might be simply the definition of ‘safe drinking water’ and what it means to different people, especially when we can now measure contaminants in parts per trillion.”

Another family member, Elmo James (the father of Roger James and the other grandfather of Bob James), worked for the Spokane Water Department for more than 40 years, retiring as water superintendent. He also served as chair of the PNWS-AWWA. And, Jim Lindsay, uncle to Bob James, joined the Spokane Water Department as a welder following World War II and retired as shop manager after a 43-year career.

Destined for a water career

Kyle Kihs, executive director of PNWS-AWWA, said Bob James’ career “was destined with his father and both grandfathers having successful and influential careers in waterworks.” 

“His passion and commitment to safe drinking water, public health and good governance is unwavering,” Kihs said at the ceremony honoring James (pictured below.) “He has helped hundreds of communities with their drinking water supplies and built countless long-standing relationships. He has been a thought leader in his agency and an invaluable mentor for hundreds of teammates and young professionals.” 

James completed a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering at the University of Washington, worked for a time at a consulting firm, then joined the health department in 1979. He worked as a regional engineer overseeing water systems in King County and was involved in the design-build regulatory process for most major treatment plants in the state.

When asked what advice he would give to those who will lead the water sector in 2050, he replied, “I can think of a number of issues, such as climate change and workforce challenges, that need our attention today and I hope will be adequately addressed if not resolved by 2050.

“I’ll fall back on the continuing need to establish meaningful relationships with co-workers and the people you serve,” he added. “I think my grandfathers saw the need to support an organization like AWWA to create relationships, and my dad went out of his way to get to know the people he worked with. Because of his influence, I spent a lot of effort getting to know the individuals who worked in the area I served as well as the water systems. I have also been fortunate to have amazingly talented co-workers who share a common mission and similar values.”