Michael Patrick was awarded the 2024 Golden Manhole Award by the Kentucky-Tennessee Water Environment Association at the Water Professionals Conference in Louisville on Tuesday.
The Golden Manhole is awarded to those who have dedicated their careers to the wastewater industry and have made outstanding contributions in the areas of wastewater collection systems. One person each from the states of Kentucky and Tennessee were awarded. Mr. Patrick was this year’s award winner for the state of Tennessee.
Officials said, "Mr.
Patrick has devoted over 25 years of his career improving the sewer infrastructure and water quality in the Chattanooga-Hamilton County area. He has exemplified excellent engineering and leadership capabilities throughout his career serving as both executive director of the Hamilton County Water &
Wastewater Treatment Authority and director of Waste Resources Division for the City of Chattanooga.
"Mr. Patrick played a pivotal role in facilitating negotiations with the Environmental Protection Agency for the WWTA's recent $300 million federal consent decree (CD) settlement. He has made significant contributions to various wastewater projects having spearheaded multiple millions of dollars worth of infrastructure projects completed under his leadership. Mr. Patrick manages all facets of the WWTA system including operations, financial stability, maintenance, design and planning. He takes each challenge head on with the primary task of improving and maintaining the integrity of the sewer infrastructure and local waterways to ensure that the health and environment of Hamilton County residents are fully protected."
"The people of Hamilton County depend on strong oversight when it comes to our community’s sewer
infrastructure and water quality, and I’m grateful for Mike’s dedicated career and service to our residents,"
said Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp. "This award is further evidence that Mike has made a positive impact through his leadership at WWTA.”
Mr. Patrick earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Tennessee at
Chattanooga. He is a certified professional engineer in the state of Tennessee and holds a Grade II
Collection System Operator license.