Living Water Award

John Lulewicz

Texas Water Operations Director, EPCOR

John is being honored for his community values and instills that into EPCOR. He wanted to generate the same curiosity he had in the water industry in others, so he championed EPCOR to collaborate with the Skilled Trades Academy to train recent Texas high school graduates about careers in the water and wastewater sector. He saw the need for skilled workers in the water and wastewater industry and created a pathway for people who wouldn’t have known about careers in this critical field. The program accepted 10 participants in 2023, providing training, mentorship, hands-on activities and the skill set needed to start a career in the industry.

John is extremely involved in the community EPCOR serves. He’s helped increase employee engagement during EPCOR’s annual United Way fundraiser by organizing a cornhole tournament that entices employees to have fun and contribute. These tournaments have spread to more EPCOR locations and last year helped contribute a record-breaking $55,000 in employee donations.

From starting his career as a Water Operator over 15 years ago, to becoming the Operations Director of an ultramodern facility, his efforts inspire other EPCOR sites to be involved in the communities they serve, whether that’s creating more water industry opportunities or supporting communities in need.

“John leads by example. He’s the first to say, ‘I’ll do it’ and then get his team members involved. John does not need to be recognized or thanked for his efforts – he just does it because it’s the right thing to do. From fundraising to volunteering time to donating turkeys to a local food pantry or buying a meal for a table of veterans or police officers, John demonstrates every day what a NAWC Living Water Award recipient should be,” said EPCOR USA Human Resources Coordinator Laura Minder.