During New England Water Works Association’s December Membership Meeting, Woodard & Curran Technical Manager Cary Parsons received the David M. Erickson Groundwater Award. Established to honor the legacy of hydrogeologist David M. Erickson, this award recognizes an individual who demonstrates excellence in the field of groundwater science as it relates to groundwater supply development, management, and protection.
During Cary’s career, which spans more than four decades, he has developed numerous groundwater supply wells across New England to provide safe, clean drinking water for many communities. His experience includes groundwater resource evaluations, geologic reconnaissance, test well exploration, pumping tests, design and testing of production wells, groundwater resource protection, determination of well zones of contribution, and regulatory approvals. He has also conducted groundwater flow and contaminant transport modeling, as well as geotechnical investigations.
“Cary has been an outstanding leader in the groundwater profession and is recognized and respected for his knowledge and professionalism throughout the industry, and with state and municipal leadership,” said Carol Harris, Senior Client Manager. “Cary is a teacher at heart. He takes great pride in explaining the groundwater supply development process, modeling techniques, groundwater monitoring, and related hydrogeological investigations to others. He has mentored many staff throughout his career.”
Cary has been an active member of professional organizations and state working groups, such as Massachusetts Water Works Association (MWWA), the MassDEP Groundwater Advisory Committee, the Sustainable Water Management Initiative Technical Committee, the Groundwater Discharge/Title V Committee, and the Streamflow Task Force, applying sound science to advocate for the drinking water profession.
