Living Water Award 2024 Nominee

Nathanial “Nate” Roark

Field Technician, Nexus Water Group

Nate, a field technician for Nexus Water Group’s Carolina Water Service of North Carolina, exemplified true heroism earlier this year when he helped save the life of his coworker, a lead water-wastewater operator, during a routine workday. On that seemingly ordinary day, Nate and his colleague were checking water meters and arrived at a nearby wastewater treatment facility. Sensing something was wrong with his colleague, Nate trusted his instincts and implemented Nexus Water Group’s Safety STAR process (Stop, Think, Act, Review), a core value of the company. Assessing the situation and considering the remote location, Nate acted fast, helping his teammate into the truck and heading to the hospital. Within 20 minutes, it was confirmed the operator had suffered a heart attack. Nate’s quick thinking and action made the difference between life and death. Following this incident, an AED was installed at the local office, and the team received AED and CPR training. Nate’s actions highlight the importance of a safety-first mindset and serve as a reminder that safety is everyone’s responsibility in the water industry. His heroism reflects the close-knit culture of the industry, where safety is paramount, and colleagues look out for each other and those they serve. Safety doesn’t take a day off, and because of Nate’s decisive actions, a life was saved.