WWA’s First Annual Meter Madness Competition Registers a Hit

By: Paul Pavlik, Green Bay Water Utility,
And Karl Robe, Karl James & Company

WWA held its first annual Meter Madness competition at this year’s annual meeting. For those unfamiliar with Meter Madness, it is basically a race to see how fast a water meter can be assembled from a bucket of parts. The bucket may also include several parts that do not belong in the meter. After assembly is completed, the meters are tested making sure that they register, the bolts are tight and they do not leak. Time penalties are assessed for errors. All entrants compete in two heats. At the end of the heats, the four fastest times move on to the finals. The four are paired off in twos, then the two winners face off for 1st place and a consolation round is held to determine 3rd and 4th place. The make of meter used changes each year - this year 5/8-inch Neptune meters were provided with the help Karen Olson at Northern Waterworks Supply.

Thirteen participants faced off for the state title and an invitation to participate at the nationals to be held next June at the AWWA National Conference in San Diego. The fastest time turned in was 55 seconds by our State Champion Steve Koss from the Green Bay Water Utility. Runners up were: second place went to Glen Puntey from the Madison Water Utility, third place went to Rick Marx also from Madison, and fourth place went to John Lake from Green Bay. A big thanks goes out to all participants for making this a successful event.

“What you saw at the state competition was an extension of Steve’s and John’s passion and expertise in what they do,” said Bill Nabak, utility general manager. “These guys have created a sense of community pride that now will be elevated to the national level when Steve competes against utilities from across the country.” Passion and expertise could definitely be used to describe all of the participants!

The event was put together by your Distribution Committee, with Dave Goldapp and Ross Bryzicki from Milwaukee Water Works and Jim Wolf from Davies Water Equipment leading the way. Special thanks for the help given by John Donahue, General Manager of the North Park Public Water District and head of both the Illinois Section and National Meter Madness Competitions.

Many thanks to all involved. Good luck to Steve at the Nationals! See you at next year’s competition.