2025 WEF Award Winners

WEF is honored to annually recognize and congratulate those who make an immense impact on the world of water in many ways.

Through the WEF Awards Program, you will find below the vast and varied list of Awards and recipients we are pleased to present.

WEF FellowS  Published Papers  Education Awards  Individual Service and Contribution Awards  Operation Design and Excellence Awards  Organization and Association Recognition Awards 

On Monday, September 29th at 5pm (CT), click here to watch the 2025 WEF Awards & Presidential Celebration Ceremony livestream at WEFTEC! 

2025 WEF Fellows

Created to celebrate outstanding contributions to the global water sector by long-time Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Virginia) members, the WEF Fellows Recognition Program recognizes the professional achievement, stature, and contributions of WEF members to the preservation and enhancement of the global water environment. These professionals have made a lasting difference for public health and the environment.

James R. Barsanti

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New England Water Environment Association

 

 

Katherine Y. Bell, Ph.D., P.E., BCEE

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Clean Water Professionals of Kentucky & Tennessee

 

Todd Boling

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Nebraska Water Environment Association

Patrick J. Bradley

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Virginia Water Environment Association

Jay M. Brady, P.E.

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Central States Water Environment Association, Illinois Water Environment Associaton, Iowa Water Environment Association

Shellie Chard

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Oklahoma Water Environment Association

B. Scott Cummings, P.E.

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Alabama's Water Environment Association

Thomas M. Galeziewski, P.E.

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AZ Water Association

Dr. Graham Juby, P.E.

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California Water Environment Association

Daniel J. Murray, Jr., P.E., BCEE

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Ohio Water Environment Association

 

Richard Russell Roll, P.E., DEE

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New York Water Environment Association

Diego Rosso

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California Water Environment Association

Jeff Sober, P.E., BCEE

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Water Environment Association of Texas

Louis Storino, P.E., BCEE

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Central States Water Environment Association, Illinois Water Environment Association

Robert A. Villée

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New Jersey Water Environment Association

Published Papers

WEF published research awards recognize exciting advancements in water knowledge and practice.   

Eddy Wastewater Principles & Processes Medal

"Comparing methanol and glycerol as carbon sources for mainstream partial denitrification / anammox in an IFAS process”, Ms. Megan Bachmann, Charles B. Bott, Ph.D., P.E., BCEE, Dr. Kartik Chandran, Dr. Haydee De Clippeleir, Dr. Stephanie Klaus, Halil Kurt, Michael Parsons, Daniel M. Stockard, and George F. Wells, WER, Vol. 96, Issue 4 (April 2024) 

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Megan Bachmann

 

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Charles B. Bott, Ph.D., P.E., BCEE

 

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Dr. Kartik Chandran

 

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Dr. Haydee De Clippeleir

 

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Dr. Stephanie Klaus

 

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Halil Kurt

 

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Michael Parsons

 

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Daniel M. Stockard

 

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George F. Wells

 

Gascoigne Wastewater Treatment Plant Operational Improvement Medal

“Taming the Aeration Beast”, William Fang, Patrick Wittbold, and Dr. Joseph Gitau Gikonyo, WE&T, Pg. 42 (October 2024)

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William Fang

 

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Dr. Joseph G. Gikonyo

 

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Patrick Wittbold

 

McKee Groundwater Protection, Restoration, or Sustainable Use Award

Fluoride geochemistry in groundwater at regulated industrial sites”, Andrew P G Fowler, Nigel Goulding, Shanna Law, WER, Vol. 96, Issue 8 (August 2024)

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Andrew Fowler


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Nigel Goulding


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Shanna Law


 

Rudolfs Industrial Waste Management Medal

“Spent Media Management Options for Industrial PFAS Treatment Applications”, David Garb, Alison Ling, Andy McCabe, Margaret Thompson, David Trueba, and Sudhakar Viswanathan, Access Water Proceedings of the Water Environment Federation, WEFTEC Conference Paper, (October 2024)

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David Garb

 

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Alison Ling

 

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Andy McCabe

 

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Margaret Thompson

 

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David Trueba

 

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Sudhakar Viswanathan

 

Education Awards

These awards focus on educating citizens on the value of water challenges everyone in the water environment profession. This is an important responsibility of individuals, professional associations and utilities alike.

Fair Distinguished Engineering Educator Medal

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Professor James Mihelcic

Florida Water Environment Association

Student Chapter of the Year Award

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Puerto Rico Water & Environment Association (PRW&EA)
Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico (PUPR) Student Chapter

Canham Graduate Studies Scholarship

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Kenneth Mensah

University of Maine, Penn State

Public Communication & Outreach Program Award (Individual Category)

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Gabriel Evans

 

Public Communication & Outreach Program Award (Utilities, Corporations, Partnerships or Large Groups Category)

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Stafford County Utilities Department

"Captain Clog Superhero" Educational Program

Public Communication & Outreach Program Award (WEF Member Associations and Communities Category)

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Water Environment Association of Texas - North Texas Section

"Membranes and Mudbugs Event" Program

 

Media & Public Education Medal

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Patty Wetli

Operator Scholarship

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Ms. Rosa Arminda Ayala

Water Environment Association of Ontario

Operator Scholarship

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Kiel T. Canterbury

Rocky Mountain Water Environment Association

Operator Scholarship

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Matteo Dykstra

Pennsylvania Water Environment Association

Operator Scholarship

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Mr. Kenny D. Garcia Rondon

 

Operator Scholarship

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Aaron Walter Gee

 

Operator Scholarship

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Tracy Gerhardt

Pacific Northweast Clean Water Association

Operator Scholarship

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Matthew J. Gregory

 

Operator Scholarship

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Mandi Hebert

Florida Water Environment Association, Hawaii Water Environment Association, Puerto Rico Water & Environment Association, Water Environment Association of South Carolina

Operator Scholarship

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MD Al Sadikul Islam

Chesapeake Water Environment Association

Operator Scholarship

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Bradley Johnson

Water Environment Association of Utah

Operator Scholarship

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Kelly Marie Kurtz

California Water Environment Association

Operator Scholarship

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Mr. Kaiden Loverin

British Columbia Water & Waste Association

Operator Scholarship

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Kimberly Marquez

New Jersey Water Environment Association

Operator Scholarship

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Dale T. Miller

Pennsylvania Water Environment Association

Operator Scholarship

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Hailey Power

 

Operator Scholarship

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Giovanni Rivera

Pacific Northweast Clean Water Association, Puerto Rico Water & Environment Association

Operator Scholarship

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Joseph Mark Rodriguez

New York Water Environment Association

Operator Scholarship

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Kenneth Ryder, P.Eng, M.Eng
Water Environment Association of Ontario

Operator Scholarship

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Thomas Scott

AZ Water Association

Operator Scholarship

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Tara R. Simmon
New York Water Environment Association

Operator Scholarship

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Chris Tatum
Water Environment Association of Ontario

Operator Scholarship

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Dustin N. Watkins
New England Water Environment Association

Operator Scholarship

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Johnathon Whetton
New England Water Environment Association

Individual Service and Contribution Awards

These awards recognize individuals that have made outstanding contributions to the sustainability of water resources and made a profound impact on the future of the water profession. 

Public Officials Award

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Representative Kimberly Neely DuBuclet
(Illinois)

Public Officials Award

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Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo
President of Mexico

Public Officials Award

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Representative K. Joseph Shekarchi
(Rhode Island)

Camp Applied Research Award

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Pusker Regmi, Ph.D., P.E., BCEE

Virginia Water Environment Association

 

Best WEFTEC Program Abstract Award

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Laurel Schaich, P.E.

“Fort Wayne’s Journey Towards Resilience and Clean Energy - Implementation of a Microgrid Program and RNG Injection”

Best WEFTEC Program Abstract Award

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Zach Schortgen, P.E.

“Fort Wayne’s Journey Towards Resilience and Clean Energy - Implementation of a Microgrid Program and RNG Injection”

Emerson Distinguished Service Medal

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Bruce E. Rittmann

AZ Water Association

Engelbrecht International Service Award

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Diego Rosso

California Water Environment Association

MARC (Manufacturers and Representative Community) Individual Distinguished Service Award

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Bill Peretti 
Rocky Mountain Water Environment Association

Outstanding Young Water Environment Professional Award

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Natalie Cook

Central States Water Environment Association

Water For People Robert W. Hite Distinguished Leadership Award

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Steph (Doblosky) Vashee, P.E., PMP

 

W. Wesley Eckenfelder Water Quality Lifetime Achievement Award

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Dr. Jamal Y. Shamas, P.E.

Water Environment Association of Texas

Water Heroes Award

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City of Asheville Water Resources

Water Heroes Award

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City of Mulvane Water Treatment Plant

Water Heroes Award

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County of Maui Lahaina Wastewater Operations Team

Water Heroes Award

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Henrico Water – Department of Public Utilities

Water Heroes Award

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Veolia North America – Smithfield, Rhode Island

Water Heroes Award

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Veolia North America – Spencer, Iowa

Ralph Fuhrman Medal

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Jui-Hun Chang, Director General

Ralph Fuhrman Medal

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Prof. Chih-Ming Kao

Ralph Fuhrman Medal

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Dr. Sheu Yih-Terng

Ralph Fuhrman Medal

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Dr. Rao Y. Surampalli

Ralph Fuhrman Medal

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Dr. Tian C. Zhang

WEF Mentorship Award

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Karla G. Camou Guerra
AZ Water Association

Operational and Design Excellence Awards

These awards recognize individuals and organizations that have achieved excellence in operations and design. 

 

Collection Systems Award

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Paul Costa
Chesapeake Water Environment Association, Water Environment Association of Texas

Water Quality Improvement Award

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Arizona Department of Environmental Quality -

Miller Creek Public Restroom Project

WEF Safety Award

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South Platte Renew, (SPR) Safe Program

Innovative Technology Award

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Aquagga, Inc., HALT Steed Series PFAS Destruction Unit

Innovative Technology Award

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Moleaer, Nanoshield

Innovative Technology Award

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Revive Environmental Technology, LLC, PFAS Annihilator - Supercritical Water Oxidation (SCWO)

WEF Project Excellence Award

District Green Stormwater Infrastructure at Highland Bridge Project (Saint Paul, MN)

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Honorees: Barr Engineering, Capitol Region Watershed District, City of Saint Paul Public Works Department, Ryan Companies

WEF Project Excellence Award

King County, West Point Treatment Plant Power Quality Improvements (Seattle, WA)

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Honorees: Brown and Caldwell, Clarity Engineering LLC., Corrosion Probe, Inc., Elcon Associates, Inc., Environmental Science Associates (ESA), Expert Power Solutions Inc., Fire & Risk Alliance, LLC., Hoffman Construction Company, IMEG, Jacobs Engineering, Kennedy/Jenks (King County), Mott Macdonald, LLC., True North Land Surveying Inc., Wagner Architects, West Point Treatment Plant

WEF Project Excellence Award

San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Southeast Treatment Plant Headworks Project
(San Francisco, CA)

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Honorees: San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, Southeast Treatment Plant, Carollo Engineers, Inc., Sundt-Walsh JV

Organization and Association Recognition Awards

These awards recognize organizations that have made outstanding contributions to the sustainability of water resources and made a profound impact on the future of the water profession.

Citation of Excellence in Advertising

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Best Design, Fractional Page
Myron L Company
 "Ultrameter II"

Citation of Excellence in Advertising

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Best Design, Full Page
Xylem
“Let's see how a single smart water platform can simplify water management"

Citation of Excellence in Advertising

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Best Presentation of Information, Fractional Page
AERZEN
"It's in our DNA"

Citation of Excellence in Advertising

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Best Presentation of Information, Full Page
Mueller Water Products, Inc.
 "ECHOLOGICS"

Outstanding Member Association Award

 
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Florida Water Environment Association