Mary Thompson

First Place
 Tri-Counties Section

Mary has been in the Water and Wastewater field over 20 years, her earlier experience being at the City of Ventura’s and the City of Santa Barbara’s Laboratories. Mary’s earlier experience in the laboratory included everything from analyzing metals via atomic absorption to determining coliform bacteria counts. Mary’s current job functions include overseeing the City of Santa Barbara’s Pretreatment Program. Mary, as the sole Pretreatment Staff for the City of Santa Barbara, oversees monitoring and permitting of industrial users.
Mary is proud that she has been in public service for her entire career, including time spent serving her country as a Certified Surgical Technologist in the US Army. She loves the ocean and spends a lot of time on the water fishing with her husband. Mary spends likes to spend time cultivating plumeria. Mary is also an active Mustang enthusiast and participates in track events racing her Shelby GT500. “

Purpose

The Select Society of Sanitary Sludge Shovelers (5S) is used by water environment associations (i.e., those working with sewage and sewage treatment) to honour those who have made a particular contribution to the industry.

Pennsylvania started the High Hat Society in 1937 and used the words "Sludge Shovelers Society" in its initiation ceremony. Later, this became known as the Ted Moses Sludge Shovelers Society. The second Chapter of the Five S Society was formed in Arizona in October 1940, the idea being conceived by A.W. "Dusty" Miller and F. Carlyle Roberts, Jr. There are chapters in many of the United States and in Canada, as well as the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.

5S chapters do not accept applications, but select potential members. Each inductee receives a badge in the form of a gold tie bar in the shape of a round-nosed shovel.

5S recognizes individuals active in protecting the water environment through participation in Local, State, and/or Federal sponsored activities. 

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