In Concord, North Carolina, the City's dedication to the integrity of its water systems was celebrated as city water operator James Coble garnered the C-Surface Operator of the Year Award. The North Carolina Waterworks Operators Association (NCWOA) bestows this honor annually upon one C-Surface certified operator who has exhibited exceptional skill, commitment, and technical proficiency in managing a water treatment facility. Coble's recent accomplishments underscore his significance to the city's water quality and infrastructure.
Coble who recently marked his inaugural year as a certified operator, was spotlighted during the February City Council Meeting where Mayor Dusch and council members acknowledged his dedication to water excellence. The City of Concord's news release detailed the ceremony, illuminating Coble's quiet ascent within the realms of water treatment. Mike Filkins, the Superintendent of the Coddle Creek Water Treatment Plant lauded Coble's critical decision-making, especially during periods of changing source water quality due to extreme weather events.
It isn't just the city council that has taken note of Coble's contributions. His supervisor at the plant, speaks of him in terms unmatched, “James became an important asset to the team and learned a lot in a very short amount of time. He quickly demonstrated his high level of skill and ability as an operator, and as his supervisor, I sleep better at night knowing he’s on third shift,” Filkins told the City of Concord.
Behind the scenes, Coble manages complex intricacies of water treatment and distribution, ensuring the safety and quality of the drinking water for over 115,000 people—an endeavor that is not lost on those who understand its gravity. In December 2024, the Coddle Creek Water Treatment Plant, partly due to Coble's efforts, received the North Carolina Area Wide Optimization Award for the seventh time, surpassing state and federal water quality benchmarks.
The Coddle Creek facility, where Coble is assigned, is one out of two water treatment plants operated by the City of Concord. Together, these plants sustain the demand of the community, with Coddle Creek alone processing an average of 5 million gallons of drinking water each day.
