Beaver Water District employees consistently contribute to the advancement of the water industry through active involvement in a wide range of professional organizations. From participating in local young professional groups to holding leadership roles on statewide boards and serving on national committees, the District actively fosters and supports the growth and development of its staff.
One recent example of this commitment is highlighted in an article by Education Coordinator Meghan Post, who details her work with the Arkansas Water Environment Association (AWEA). Meghan has helped create meaningful opportunities for students across Arkansas through her efforts to revive the organization’s participation in the Stockholm Junior Water Prize (SJWP). The excerpt below is taken from her article published in AWEA’s The Digestor.
One of my goals in joining AWEA as the education & outreach committee chair in 2025 was to bring back to life AWEA’s involvement in the Stockholm Junior Water Prize. Originally a research paper competition, the Stockholm Junior Water Prize (SJWP) is an international water research competition for high school students. Students across the globe enter their research to be in the running for a $15,000 cash prize, a crystal trophy, and a $5,000 award given to the winning student’s school.
The first thing I did was research Arkansas’s Science & Engineering fairs across the State and connect with their coordinators. My AWEA team of committee chairs (past and present) helped guide, direct, and facilitate the distribution of regional certificates. After the water research scientists had their certificate in hand, it was up to them to submit it to the State SJWP Competition. Of the research that was submitted, one stuck out the most, and that was Kira Burnett’s research entitled, “Urbanization’s Impact on Aquatic Ecosystems: Assessing Phosphorous Transport, Biological Health, and Endocrine Disruptors.” Her project focused on the impact of urbanization on local waterways. Ms. Burnett recently graduated from the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts.
Her research showed that Hot Springs Creek (HSC) is suffering from ‘urban stream syndrome.’ Urban stream syndrome is characterized by an increase in the volume of water through a stream, increased nitrate/ phosphorous concentrations, a decrease in pollution-sensitive macroinvertebrate species, and a lower nutrient uptake in the ecosystem. Elevated phosphorous is harming Hot Springs Creek’s aquatic macroinvertebrates which act as the canary in the coal mine for water quality. Being that HSC is in the headwaters of the Ouachita River basin. It’s imperative that research like this is recognized.
Ms. Burnett’s research won first place for the Arkansas state competition, and she went on to the U.S. National competition in St. Louis where she was awarded the 2025 USA Stockholm Junior Water Prize National Runner Up! I personally was able to hear Ms. Burnett speak about her research at the Arkansas Agriculture, Forestry and Water Conference in Fayetteville, Arkansas this summer. Questions and comments from the audience, which was filled with professionals, included, “With this research, what are your next steps with solving this problem?” to which Kira replied, “I am hopeful that this smart group of professionals will help me with that.” I am hopeful that this encouragement and networking will aid in developing solutions to Hot Springs Creek’s nutrient issues.
The SJWP does a wonderful job of recognizing young professionals and inspiring them to pursue a career in the water industry. AWEA is honored to highlight young people in STEM, and we hope to continue to do the behind-thescenes work of getting this research and these folks recognized for years to come.
While Mrs. Post was focused on recognizing the achievements of others, her own leadership skills were being noticed. In early March, Meghan found out she was being named a recipient of the WaterNow Alliance’s 2026 Emerging Leader Award. This national recognition emphasizes her outstanding commitment, leadership, and meaningful influence on the water sector.
Beaver Water District takes immense pride in the contributions its employees make, both within the local community and across the nation. Meghan will be formally recognized at the American Water Works Association ACE Conference in June, where members of the District’s staff and Board of Directors will be in attendance to celebrate her accomplishment. Congratulations to Meghan and all the employees who continue to advance and promote the water industry; the District is proud of you!