(WESTERVILLE, OH — September 29, 2011) Lloyd Duplantis of Thibodaux, Louisiana, has received the 2011 National Ground Water Association Honorary Member Award, which is presented to persons of eminence outside the groundwater industry who have contributed some special service to the industry or to the Association.
Duplantis is being recognized for his humanitarian work in constructing water wells for impoverished people in Haiti. He has created a sustainable program by raising funds for drilling equipment to be sent to Haiti for full-time expansion of water well drilling. He also has raised money to hire a full-time local person to oversee and maintain the well projects.
After visiting Haiti in 2000, Duplantis and his wife, Faie, along with a core group from St. Bridget Parish in Schriever, Louisiana, formed Haiti Mission Inc. While its primary focus is to develop safe and sufficient water supplies, Haiti Mission also has begun initiatives in education, various forms of humanitarian aid, and animal husbandry.
Since 2007, Haiti Mission has drilled 20 wells and has as a goal to bring potable water to within 500 feet of everyone within the region of Haiti in which it is working.
This award will be presented November 30 at the 2011 NGWA Ground Water Expo and Annual Meeting in Las Vegas.
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NGWA, a nonprofit organization composed of U.S. and international groundwater professionals — contractors, equipment manufacturers, suppliers, scientists, and engineers — is dedicated to advancing groundwater knowledge. NGWA’s vision is to be the leading groundwater association that advocates the responsible development, management, and use of water.
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