BC Water News Exclusives

Water Buffalos prepare for cross-country trek to AWWA national conference,
as well as raise money and awareness for Water For People

The bison may be back on the prairie, but a herd of Water Buffalos is preparing to rumble cross-country again.

Nearly two dozen water industry professionals/motorcycle enthusiasts will depart from the four corners of America and converge in June for AWWA’s national conference in Toronto. Saddling up on Harley Electra Glides, Vintage Indian Chiefs, Kawasaki Vulcans and BMW RTs will be Water Buffalos from chapters in San Francisco, Vancouver, B.C., Phoenix, San Antonio, Seattle, and Jacksonville, Fla., as well as Newfoundland and Labrador.

And although this journey will undoubtedly be the thrill of a lifetime along the country’s scenic highways, the ride does have another purpose: to raise money and awareness for Water For People.

“The motorcycle rally is a creative and fun way to raise money for such a wonderful cause,” says Ken Howe, Woodinville (Wash.) Water District manager. Each rider is asked to collect $1 per mile traveled to donate to WFP.

Harley folks have a saying, according to Gene Camp, Bartow County (Ga.) water department superintendent: “If I have to explain, you wouldn’t understand.” Says Camp, “We’re always looking for a reason to ride and when you can merge business with pleasure and do some good in the world, it’s a win-win situation.”

Howe couldn't agree more. “I know as Bill (Persich, managing engineer in Brown and Caldwell’s Seattle office) and I were pondering the idea of riding to San Antonio (for last year's AWWA conference) and maybe posting our route online so folks could join in, it seemed like a fun idea that we should do. As soon as we came up with the idea to raise money for Water For People, it immediately became something we had to do. We now had a purpose, which is where Ride With Purpose came from.”

Howe calls the ride sponsors the “meat and potatoes” of the cause. “We are very appreciative of Brown and Caldwell, who, along with being a charter sponsor of the event, helps us by hosting our web page.”

He also expects proceeds from this year’s fundraiser will exceed the $20,000 from the first charity ride last year. And with increasing exposure, Howe would like to open up the charity event to even more riders. “I think it’s a great way to raise awareness for Water For People,” Camp says. “In some cases, the pledges are a challenge to see if we’ll really do it.”

And he might just get his wish: The herd continues to grow with the latest members' list boasting Water Buffalos in eight states — Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, New York, Oregon and Washington, as well as a chapter in Washington, D.C.

But it's not just for the guys: One-third of the Water Buffalos are women. “So if you’re reading this and you ride,” Howe says, “well, come join us!”

Each participant will receive a special edition denim vest with their state chapter’s Water Buffalo patch and a member number, a ride pin, a sponsor logo patch, a welcoming barbecue, WFP information to assist with pledging, and an experience to last a lifetime.

Howe looks back fondly on last year’s ride: “The scenery through the canyons of Utah was truly breathtaking, and the formal recognition of our efforts at both the AWWA and the WFP board meeting was gratifying.”

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Established in 1947, Brown and Caldwell is a multidisciplined environmental engineering and consulting firm. The employee-owned company is headquartered in Walnut Creek, Calif., and employs more than 1,300 people in 45 offices nationwide. Engineering News-Record ranks Brown and Caldwell 54th among the nation's top 500 engineering firms and 9th largest in the Sewer/Waste market.