HDR celebrates 'Drinking Water Week'

OMAHA, NE, May 7, 2008 -- May 4 through 10 has been designated Drinking Water Week, a celebration across North America of our most precious natural resource. As a Top 10 water engineering firm, HDR is honoring its water utility clients and giving back to those who aren't as fortunate to have a safe, reliable water supply.

Gregg Kirmeyer, HDR's national director of drinking water, said there are several ways HDR is marking the event. This is the third year of HDR's corporate giving campaign for Water For People, which helps people in developing countries improve their quality of life by supporting development of locally sustainable drinking water resources, sanitation facilities and health and hygiene programs. HDR employees give annually and through automatic payroll deduction.

Many HDR employees also have donated time, such as Charlotte, N.C.-based water marketing manager Julie Hellmann, who is serving her second three-year term on the Water for People national board of directors. Hellmann traveled to Bolivia to help people develop a new water supply. "After that trip I saw that the solutions to help these people are so simple and effective that I became hooked," she said.

Events are being held throughout the company. Omaha events include a pancake fund raiser, raffle, second annual rooftop "Don't Be A Drip" water race, and co-sponsoring the first annual Pedals and Power poker run on May 10th. It includes separate routes for bicyclists and motorcyclists. The Raleigh, N.C., office is volunteering in the annual Raleigh WaterFest event with the City of Raleigh Public Utilities Department.

HDR's water clients ensure safe water supplies in North America, so HDR graphic artists created a special poster to thank them and raise awareness about Drinking Water Week. "Utility staff work around the clock to provide high-quality drinking water for residential, commercial and industrial customers, and it's always nice to be remembered during a special week," said Kirmeyer.

HDR is an employee-owned architectural, engineering and consulting firm with more than 6,900 professionals in more than 150 locations worldwide.

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