Living Water Award 2025 Nominee

Joe Pearce and Lauren Raup-Plummer

Field Vice President of Emerging Contaminants and North Carolina Engineering Manager, Aqua North Carolina

Joe Pearce, Vice President of Emerging Contaminants, and Lauren Raup-Plummer, North Carolina Engineering Manager, are nominated for their leading efforts in combating PFAS chemicals across Aqua’s 8-state footprint, particularly in North Carolina. They spearheaded the development and installation of cost-effective PFAS treatment systems, including the innovative “PFAS Guard” for small water systems. Their meticulous planning and coordination are crucial for installing over 200 PFAS treatment sites, demonstrating significant advancement in environmental protection and customer benefit. Lauren and her team have placed treatment on 30 sites, 23 in 2025 alone, with 27 more scheduled by the end of this year. The pair are described as the “embodiment of Aquaʼs commitment to protecting and providing Earthʼs most essential resource, water.”