In the heart of Hughes County, Rural Water District 6 (RWD 6) stands as a beacon of commitment and excellence, a testament to the values instilled by its long-serving District Manager, Cliff Tatum, from 1995 to 2013. Today, his son, Sheldon Tatum, continues to uphold this legacy, guiding RWD 6 with a steadfast dedication to fairness, equity, and nondiscrimination.

Under the leadership of Sheldon Tatum, RWD 6 operates on a fundamental philosophy: “We are not selling a product; we are providing a service.” This mindset, inherited from his father, Cliff, transforms the way Continued Page 6 the district interacts with its customers. “Providing a service changes everything,” Sheldon explains. “It’s about ensuring everyone gets their fair share, and we quantify that service through the water meter.” Serving a wide area from Horntown down to the Coal County line and over to the Pontotoc County line, RWD 6 maintains 600 meters, supplying water sourced from four wells. These wells and pump stations are owned by the district, with water purchased from local landowners, emphasizing a deeprooted connection to the community.

Sheldon Tatum’s commitment to service and integrity has not gone unnoticed. Recently appointed to the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Board of Directors, Sheldon also sits on the Board of Directors for the Oklahoma Rural Water Association (OWRA). His leadership reflects the values passed down from his father and reinforces the district’s mission to serve its community diligently and fairly.

In a recent press release, RWD 6 proudly announced being honored by the Oklahoma Rural Water Association as “The System of the Year.” This prestigious recognition underscores the district’s relentless pursuit of excellence and its dedication to being the best water system in the state. The district’s website, HughesRWD6. com, serves as a window to the world, showcasing their commitment and inviting others to learn from their practices.

The press release highlights the collaborative spirit fostered by RWD 6: “As we strive to be the absolute best water system in the State, we hope each customer of our service is proud of your water system. Our website is how the rest of the world gets to see the district. People who are looking to our district for guidance, sample documents, or just learning about rural water. The Board of Directors and Management encourage everyone to ‘coach us up.’ Sharpen our sword.” Being honored as the System of the Year is a collective achievement, reflecting the contributions of customers, critics, and professionals from various fields. “We cannot be the best without the support of our customers, critics to help us improve, and people from hundreds of different occupations giving us guidance and opportunities,” the release continues.

Sheldon Tatum extends heartfelt gratitude to the Oklahoma Rural Water Association, customers, agency personnel, legislators, professionals, and the dedicated board and staff of Hughes County RWD 6. “Thank you to everyone at ORWA for the recognition. Thank you to each customer who supports us. Thank you to all the agency people, legislators, professionals, and to the board and staff of Hughes County RWD 6 for being the team that is always raising the standards!”

As RWD 6 moves forward, the legacy of integrity and quality established by Cliff Tatum continues to thrive under Sheldon’s leadership. The district remains committed to its core principles, ensuring that every drop of water symbolizes their unwavering dedication to service and community.