STARKVILLE, Miss. -- A Mississippi State University associate Extension professor of water and wastewater systems is one of nine recipients of annual awards presented by the Universities Council on Water Resources, or UCOWR.

Jason Barrett, interim director of the Mississippi Water Resources Research Institute, or WRRI, was honored with the UCOWR Institute Mid-Career Award for Extension, Outreach and Engagement. The award acknowledges outstanding contributions to water-related efforts in each of these areas.

Barrett also leads the Mississippi Well Owner Network, or MWON, which specializes in private well and decentralized wastewater education and screening. His efforts help private well owners in the state maintain groundwater resources and septic systems while ensuring water quality through providing education on well maintenance and water treatment.

WRRI plays a vital role in developing research programs aimed at addressing water and water-related land use challenges. The Institute collaborates with state and regional water resource officials to coordinate research and development programs that help solve water management issues across the state.

UCOWR is a national alliance of academic institutions and affiliates dedicated to advancing water resources research, education and outreach. The organization aims to expand the capacity of universities to address water resource challenges.

For more information on the Mississippi Water Resources Research Institute, visit wrri.msstate.edu. Access private well resources online at extension.msstate.edu/natural-resources/water/mswon.