Published: June 29, 2026
Bartow, Fla. (June 29, 2026) — Several Polk County Utilities Division employees were recognized at the 2026 Florida Water Resources Conference (FWRC) in Daytona Beach.
In late April, six Polk County Utilities Division employees comprising the Bio-Wizards team competed in five operations challenges at the 2026 FRWC and walked away with the 2026 State Champions conference title.
Amanda Hebert, Ed Clark, Paul Moore, Bryan Osborne and Dan Munsey, with guidance from their team coach Jeff Goolsby, put their knowledge and skills to the test to compete in a variety of utility competitions including laboratory work, maintenance, safety, collections system challenges and process control. The Polk County Utilities Bio-Wizards won first place in the laboratory and maintenance categories and second place in the safety category. The team was also named the overall 2026 FWRC Operations Challenge Champions.
Winning the challenge means that the Bio-Wizards have qualified to compete in the national championship competition which will take place in September 2026 in New Orleans.
In addition to the Bio-Wizards’ victory, several Polk County Utilities Division staff members and facilities received special recognition by the conference:
Garrett Rheiner – The 2026 FWRC AWWA Operator’s Meritorious Service Award
Amanda Hebert – David B. Lee Awards – Reclaim
Polk County Northeast Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF) – Earle B. Phelps Award (Advanced Secondary Less Than 3 MGD) Outstanding WWTF Performance Runner Up
Polk County Southwest Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF) – David W. York Reuse Award (1 to 5 MGD) and Earle B. Phelps Award (Advanced Secondary 3 to 6 MGD) Outstanding WWTF Performance Runner Up
Polk County Utilities Sun Ray Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF) – Earle B. Phelps Award (Secondary) Outstanding WWTF Performance