We are continuing our series this quarter with Bill Watkins. Mr. Watkins is one of the three publicly elected members of the Board from Benton County and currently serves as the Board President.
Why did you initially want to serve on the BWD board?
In 2004 Board member Benny Latimer asked me if I would be interested in completing his term as a Director if he retired. I thought it sounded interesting and agreed to do so. I found it both interesting and important and have run for re-election each time my term has come up since then.
“I really enjoy being on the Board and am very grateful for the opportunity to serve and, above all, for the amazing staff we have at Beaver Water District.”
—Bill Watkins
What has been most fulfilling to you personally about being on the board?
Being on the Board has helped me see just how fortunate we are in Northwest Arkansas to have the abundant and sustainable water supply that we have. Successfully working with the other Board members and the amazing staff to keep that clean water flowing, both at present and in the future, has been very fulfilling.
Is there anything that surprised you about the water treatment process?
Before coming onto the Board, I had no idea of the scale of the operations required to provide clean drinking water to the population of NWA and its industries. Learning about that was an eye opener.