Living Water Award 2023 Nominee

Becky Dennis

Operations Director, Kiawah Island Utility

In 2021, Kiawah Island hosted the PGA Championship at the famed Ocean Course, which is nationally televised and has thousands of fans in attendance.

However, on Monday evening of “PGA Week,” the main water line serving part of the island ruptured and created a flood along the edge of the main road leading to the course. Many feared the road would wash away and limit the ability to shuttle players, officials and fans to the course. Becky marshaled her team to complete the repair. They repaired damages and even landscaped the area overnight so that the event could continue on schedule and without issue. By early morning, there was no sign that there had ever been an issue. But this is typical for Becky and her outstanding team.

She is most proud of her team, many of whom have stayed with the company for several decades. This longevity is a testament to her leadership and the kind of integrity she brings to the company. She is also very inspirational to women in the company, as she’s probably the only great-grandmother running a water and wastewater utility in America.

“Becky is the personification of the Living Water Award! From her leadership in the state and national chapters like American Water Works Association and Water Environment Federation to her intense focus on customer satisfaction, she is simply wired to be in the water business. It is a pleasure to work with Becky, who celebrates her 45th anniversary in water this year,” said SouthWest Water Company President Craig Sorensen.