Public Risk Management Association Honors HCWA for Efforts in Water Safety

HCWA receives 2025 Georgia Public Risk Management Entity Achievement Award                         
(McDonough, GA – May 27, 2025) As the National Safe Boating Council was celebrating Safe Boating Week recently (May 17-23, 2025), the Henry County Water Authority (HCWA) was being recognized for its efforts to advocate for safe boating and water safety, locally.

The Georgia Chapter of the Public Risk Management Association (PRIMA) has selected the Henry County Water Authority as this year’s recipient of their Georgia Public Risk Management Entity Achievement Award. This award is designed to honor a member entity that has implemented an outstanding risk management program, product, or initiative.

With HCWA water professionals overseeing two water treatment plants, three water reclamation facilities, miles of water and sewer lines in the field, not to mention five drinking water reservoirs, including two with annual public access, safety and risk management are more than just priorities for the Authority, according to Tamara Woodie, HCWA Director of Human Resources and Risk Management.


Todd Brackin (left), HCWA Safety and Risk Unit Supervisor, and Tamara Woodie (right), HCWA Director of Human Resources and Risk Management, are pictured by the Life Jacket Loaner Station at the Lindy D. Farmer, Jr. (Tussahaw) Reservoir. This is one of many strategies the Authority uses to promote water safety during the year, especially during the recent Safe Boating Week.


“They (safety and risk management) are built into everything we do,” says Woodie. “Every valve we turn, every patrol we conduct, and every partnership we build is rooted in our commitment to protecting both the integrity of our water system and the well-being of the people who rely on it every day.” 

HCWA managers enjoy their “Wear Your Lifejacket to Work” Day to promote water safety during the recent Safe Boating Week. The Authority’s efforts to advocate for safe boating and water safety resulted in the utility receiving the Entity Achievement Award from the Georgia Chapter of the Public Risk Management Association (PRIMA).





The HCWA Reservoirs and Land Management office, which operates out of the Cubihatcha Outdoor Education Center in Locust Grove, oversees approximately 11,000 acres of green space, reservoirs, and critical infrastructure. Authority patrols of these areas are conducted with a staff of three HCWA Rangers, as well as Safety and Risk Unit Supervisor Todd Brackin, with help from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Authority personnel patrol HCWA properties on land and water, including reservoirs, trails and facilities, while also working with Henry County Public Safety during county-wide emergencies.

The PRIMA Entity Achievement Award reflected these efforts to enhance both internal safety and community safety. The Authority was applauded specifically for its programming and promotional efforts during 2024, which included increased public education and initiatives targeting customers with reservoir use permits who are fishing and boating on its reservoirs.

HCWA water safety initiatives receiving praise during the award nomination process included: enhanced and proactive safety patrols on its reservoirs with increased scope and effectiveness; the partnership and patrols with Georgia DNR to enhance water safety, and a partnership with Henry County Public Safety to establish Life Jacket Loaner Stations at key locations around reservoirs accessible to anglers and boaters.

“Since I started patrolling our reservoirs several years ago, I’ve seen a positive change in the public’s awareness of the importance of water safety,” says Brackin. “We very seldom see a boater on the water without a personal flotation device, especially since opening our first Life Jacket Loaner Station at the Tussahaw (Lindy D. Farmer, Jr.) Reservoir. We have put measures in place to protect our natural resources and our patrons, while increasing our public outreach to youth so we can continue to cultivate safe boating and use of our reservoirs in the future.”

In addition, the evaluators for the PRIMA Award commended the HCWA Risk Management Department for its education and outreach targeting local schools as well, with the Authority reaching over 400 students who were provided with educational information on water safety, including knowledge skills for identifying risks and maintaining safety around water.

“We are deeply honored that our water safety efforts have been recognized by Georgia PRIMA,” adds Woodie. “These initiatives are about more than just safety – they’re about looking out for our neighbors. By enhancing all these efforts, we are investing in the well-being of our community and helping ensure everyone can enjoy our reservoirs with greater peace of mind.” 

Akilah Herring enjoys the “Wear Your Lifejacket to Work” Day during Safe Boating Week, while working in the Customer Service Department at the Henry County Water Authority, which has received the 2025 Entity Achievement Award from the Georgia Chapter of the Public Risk Management Association (PRIMA).







Rhonda Lewis (left) and Tina Mansell (right) were participants in the HCWA’s “Wear Your Lifejacket to Work” Day to promote water safety, while assisting customers during the recent Safe Boating Week.