AWW is saddened by the loss of an elite water monitor

by: eric reutebuch

The staff of Alabama Water Watch was saddened by the news of Jerald Conway’s death in late 2014. Jerald worked at the Montgomery Water Works and Sanitary Sewer Board for 38 years and was the Director of Environmental Services there.

While managing the environmental laboratory, he became an active water monitor and supporter of AWW.  Jerald was in an elite group that we at AWW affectionately called our “mega monitors.” From 1999 to 2003, he submitted nearly 500 water chemistry records from 42 sites in the Alabama and Tallapoosa River Basins.  This stellar effort provided valuable information for the AWW Tri-River Regions Waterbody Report and inspired other monitors and groups statewide. We are sure that Jerald was gratified to know that his pioneering work with AWW helped build a foundation that has resulted in a nationally-recognized volunteer water monitoring program that is still going strong in its 23^rd year. We offer sincere condolences to his family and trust that AWW monitors are motivated by his example and will continue his legacy.