18990_Authority_Feb_2026

municipalauthorities.org │ 31 M ember S potlight W endy M alehorn R eceives P a WARN’ s P restigious 2025 G old S tar A ward PaWARN is proud to recognize Wendy Malehorn of the Pennsylvania Rural Water Association (PRWA) as the recipient of the 2025 Gold Star Award. Wendy’s dedication to the water industry and her quick actions during a county-wide crisis exemplify the very spirit of “utilities helping utilities.” On the evening of April 29, 2025, a severe storm swept through Allegheny County, bringing destructive winds that downed trees and power lines, damaged critical infrastructure, and left hundreds of thousands without electricity. A county-wide disaster emergency was declared as emergency services were quickly overwhelmed. The following day, April 30, 2025, Wendy learned that Harrison Township Water Authority was facing an unprecedented emergency. While the Authority had dealt with power interruptions before, this time was different. The storm knocked out power to both the treatment plant and the intake structure, leaving the system unable to pump or treat water for distribution. Compounding the situation, one of the system’s storage towers was already out of service for inspection and maintenance, leaving Harrison Township with only hours of water in reserve. At the time, the manager believed power would be restored quickly and did not anticipate the system could be pushed to such a critical state. Wendy, a Training Specialist with PRWA, happened to be working nearby. When she became aware of Harrison Township’s worsening emergency, she immediately reached out to Nick Colledge, General Manager at Harrison Township Water Authority, to offer help. Nick welcomed the assistance, and Wendy agreed to meet Nick in Harrison Township. After assessing the crisis, Wendy explained the PaWARN system to Nick, who was unfamiliar with it, and offered to contact the program on his behalf. She called Mike Snyder at PaWARN and coordinated the efforts to ensure Harrison Township would receive the equipment and personnel needed to restore plant operations. Wendy’s swift action provided critical support and gave the operators confidence that help was on the way during this unprecedented emergency. Wendy’s commitment to the industry spans nearly three decades. Her passion for water treatment began in college and grew during her internship with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. In 1996, she began her career as an operator at a large filtration plant near Harrisburg, PA, and has since operated smaller systems across Pennsylvania. She holds a Class A, E, with subclasses 1–14 operator license. Today, Wendy works as a technical assistance provider with PRWA, funded in part by a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Water Training and Technical Assistance Program. She helps operators strengthen compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act and develop lasting solutions to operational challenges. Wendy is grateful for the federal support that enables her and other Training Specialists to respond quickly during emergencies and provide vital guidance to systems in need. Reflecting on the recognition, Wendy emphasized the importance of connection and mutual aid in the industry: “Even though it can sometimes feel like systems are on an island, they are not. There is always help. PaWARN is an amazing resource, and I strongly encourage systems to join and be part of this dedicated network of support.” The PaWARN Gold Star Award is presented annually to an individual who demonstrates extraordinary dedication to providing emergency resources to a water or wastewater utility in need or who works diligently to further the mission of the mutual aid network. Wendy Malehorn’s actions on April 30, 2025, exemplify the mission of PaWARN and the values of the Pennsylvania Rural Water Association: protecting public health, safeguarding the environment, and supporting operators who face the challenges of an ever-evolving industry. S