HCWA celebrates fourth annual Water Works Experience

    (McDonough, GA – July 20, 2026) As local students prepare to go back to school, a select group of Henry County high schoolers will do so following an enjoyable “Water Works Experience,” thanks to the Henry County Water Authority (HCWA).
    The HCWA hosted a record 23 rising 9th and 10th grade Henry County students for the fourth-annual Water Works summer camp. The students enjoyed tours of HCWA facilities, as well as activities related to water and wastewater treatment, an engineering challenge, demonstrations of technology used in the field, water quality laboratory testing and analysis, field research, land and reservoir management, and more. The summer camp concluded with tips on interviewing and resume’ writing, as well as financial planning.
    Ryane Jackson, a rising 9th grader, enjoyed the interactivity of the Water Works Experience and the conversations with HCWA water professionals about what they do for a living.
    “I liked that we got to do what they do, which made me feel like ‘yeah, I can do that,’” said Jackson. “I really liked the tours, and the guides were great; they were thorough and good at their jobs; I learned a lot, and I’m glad I participated.”
    The purpose of the Water Works Experience is to introduce Henry County students to career opportunities in the water industry, in addition to showing them the inner workings of their Water Authority. Participants learned how they can contribute to the health and safety of their community while developing essential skills for today’s workforce.
    “I really enjoyed catching the macroinvertebrates and figuring out what’s what and learning how and what the lab analysts test to see whether the water is clean or not,” said Anayah Shakoor, another Water Works summer camp participant. “I like science in general, so it was fascinating to learn things I didn’t know, especially the vital things about water.”
    This fourth-annual Water Works Experience covered topics such as watershed protection, water production and distribution, wastewater collection and treatment, engineering, as well as professional development of essential career skills.
    Participants in the annual HCWA Water Works Experience must be entering the 9th or 10th grade, as well as currently enrolled in a public, private, or homeschool program in Henry County.
    The 2026 Water Works Experience summer schedule included tours of the HCWA Tussahaw Water Treatment Plant on the first day, following by tours of the Indian Creek Water Reclamation Facility on Day 2 and Cubihatcha Outdoor Education Center in Locust Grove on Day 3. By the end of the summer camp on Day 4, students learned what it’s like to be a water professional, as well as the career opportunities available to them at the HCWA following high school.
    “I didn’t know a naturalist was a real job, and I really enjoyed working in the water quality lab too,” says Joy Peavey, a 9th grade Water Works participant. “The staff was very helpful, and I had a good time. I’d definitely recommend this (Water Works Experience) to other students.”
    Heather Toliver, a former administrator for Henry County Schools who is the K-12 Coordinator of Science, Health & PE for Rockdale County Public Schools, helped to coordinate the science lessons and activities during the Water Works Experience, which are applicable to high school science curricula.
    Participants in the 2026 HCWA Water Works Experience included: Anayah Shakoor, Avery J. Headen, Carly Greer, Carter Brown, Hamilton Heard, Jamel Pickett, Joseph Hillman, Joseph King, Joy Peavey, Kai’ron Morris, Kylie Hendricks, Lekan Jay-Banks, Logan Walcott, Malachai Mclaine, Paige Daniels, Quentara Rowe, Ryane Jackson, Sean Askew, Sierra Walcott, Summer Heard, Treandos Thornton, Tyler Reddick, and Yara Shakoor.
    Lindsey Sanders, HCWA Communications and Regulatory Coordinator, organized the Water Works Experience under the direction of HCWA General Manager Tony Carnell, who conceived the idea of a summer camp for high school students to hopefully boost their interest in the water profession and perhaps a future career at the Authority.
    “I loved seeing our youth learn about how protecting our water resources is vital to our every day lives,” said Sanders, following the graduation of this fourth class of Water Works campers. “It opened their eyes to a new way of thinking about water and to potentially working as a public health professional in the industry.”
    Photo galleries from this year’s Water Works Experience are available on the Authority’s Website at www.hcwa.com.




This summer, a record 23 Henry County students completed the fourth annual HCWA Water Works Experience.












Joy Peavey conducts a water quality laboratory test during the first day of the HCWA Water Works Experience summer camp at the Tussahaw Water Plant.


















On the second day of the Water Works Experience, campers enjoyed a tour of the Indian Creek Water Reclamation Facility.










Rebecca Bodron (center), HCWA Naturalist, instructs Water Works summer campers Joseph King (left) and Carter Brown (right) during their visit to the Cubihatcha Outdoor Education Center.