2024 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.

2024 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 each year 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.

BioGRAPHIES

Paul T. Bowen, Ph.D.

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Georgia Association of Water Professionals, Water Environment Association of South Carolina

 

Joseph G. Cleary, P.E., BCEE

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New York Water Environment Association

Dr. Christian Davies-Venn, Ph.D., P.E., BCEE, BCWRE, F.ASCE

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Chesapeake Water Environment Association, Federal Water Quality Association

Christine deBarbadillo

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Chesapeake Water Environment Association

John K. Esler, P.E.

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New England Water Environment Association

Patricia Kennedy, P.E.

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AZ Water Association

James S. Kumagai, Ph.D., P.E.

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Hawaii Water Environment Association

Rebecca Lewis

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Kansas Water Environment Association

Dave Mason

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Water Environment Association of Texas

David William Oerke, P.E., BCEE

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Rocky Mountain Water Environment Association

 

Dr. Ana J. Peña-Tijerina, P.E., BCEE

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Water Environment Association of Texas

Joseph C. Reichenberger, P.E., BCEE

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California Water Environment Association

Matthew Paul Ries, Ph.D., P.E.

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Virginia Water Environment Association

José F. Velazquez, P.E.

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Rocky Mountain Water Environment Association

James C. Young

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Arkansas Water Environment Association

Published Papers

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

Eddy Wastewater Principles & Processes Medal

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Yi Cao

“Monitoring biofilm thickness using the membrane aerated biofilm reactor (MABR) fingerprint soft sensor to optimize nitrogen removal”, Yi Cao, Zihao Cui, Glen T. Daigger, WER, Vol. 95, Issue 12 (December 2023)

Eddy Wastewater Principles & Processes Medal

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Zihao Cui

“Monitoring biofilm thickness using the membrane aerated biofilm reactor (MABR) fingerprint soft sensor to optimize nitrogen removal”, Yi Cao, Zihao Cui, Glen T. Daigger, WER, Vol. 95, Issue 12 (December 2023)

Eddy Wastewater Principles & Processes Medal

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Glen T. Daigger

“Monitoring biofilm thickness using the membrane aerated biofilm reactor (MABR) fingerprint soft sensor to optimize nitrogen removal”, Yi Cao, Zihao Cui, Glen T. Daigger, WER, Vol. 95, Issue 12 (December 2023)

Gascoigne Wastewater Treatment Plant Operational Improvement Medal

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Alonso Griborio, Ph.D., P.E.

“Continuous-flow densification helps facilities unlock treatment capacity – and substantial cost savings,” Alonso Griborio, Ph.D., P.E., David Jones, Dr. Wendell Khunjar, P.E., Ron Latimer, P.E., Melissa Meyer, P.E., Gayathri Ram Mohan, Ph.D., P.E., Haley Noteboom, Dr. Paul Pitt, and Yewei Sun, Ph.D., WE&T, Pg. 67 (September 2023)

Gascoigne Wastewater Treatment Plant Operational Improvement Medal

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David Jones

“Continuous-flow densification helps facilities unlock treatment capacity – and substantial cost savings,” Alonso Griborio, Ph.D., P.E., David Jones, Dr. Wendell Khunjar, P.E., Ron Latimer, P.E., Melissa Meyer, P.E., Gayathri Ram Mohan, Ph.D., P.E., Haley Noteboom, Dr. Paul Pitt, and Yewei Sun, Ph.D., WE&T, Pg. 67 (September 2023)

Gascoigne Wastewater Treatment Plant Operational Improvement Medal

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Dr. Wendell Khunjar, P.E.

“Continuous-flow densification helps facilities unlock treatment capacity – and substantial cost savings,” Alonso Griborio, Ph.D., P.E., David Jones, Dr. Wendell Khunjar, P.E., Ron Latimer, P.E., Melissa Meyer, P.E., Gayathri Ram Mohan, Ph.D., P.E., Haley Noteboom, Dr. Paul Pitt, and Yewei Sun, Ph.D., WE&T, Pg. 67 (September 2023)

Gascoigne Wastewater Treatment Plant Operational Improvement Medal

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Ron Latimer, P.E.

“Continuous-flow densification helps facilities unlock treatment capacity – and substantial cost savings,” Alonso Griborio, Ph.D., P.E., David Jones, Dr. Wendell Khunjar, P.E., Ron Latimer, P.E., Melissa Meyer, P.E., Gayathri Ram Mohan, Ph.D., P.E., Haley Noteboom, Dr. Paul Pitt, and Yewei Sun, Ph.D., WE&T, Pg. 67 (September 2023)

Gascoigne Wastewater Treatment Plant Operational Improvement Medal

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Melissa Meyer, P.E.

“Continuous-flow densification helps facilities unlock treatment capacity – and substantial cost savings,” Alonso Griborio, Ph.D., P.E., David Jones, Dr. Wendell Khunjar, P.E., Ron Latimer, P.E., Melissa Meyer, P.E., Gayathri Ram Mohan, Ph.D., P.E., Haley Noteboom, Dr. Paul Pitt, and Yewei Sun, Ph.D., WE&T, Pg. 67 (September 2023)

 

Gascoigne Wastewater Treatment Plant Operational Improvement Medal

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Gayathri Ram Mohan, Ph.D., P.E.

“Continuous-flow densification helps facilities unlock treatment capacity – and substantial cost savings,” Alonso Griborio, Ph.D., P.E., David Jones, Dr. Wendell Khunjar, P.E., Ron Latimer, P.E., Melissa Meyer, P.E., Gayathri Ram Mohan, Ph.D., P.E., Haley Noteboom, Dr. Paul Pitt, and Yewei Sun, Ph.D., WE&T, Pg. 67 (September 2023)

Gascoigne Wastewater Treatment Plant Operational Improvement Medal

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Haley Noteboom

“Continuous-flow densification helps facilities unlock treatment capacity – and substantial cost savings,” Alonso Griborio, Ph.D., P.E., David Jones, Dr. Wendell Khunjar, P.E., Ron Latimer, P.E., Melissa Meyer, P.E., Gayathri Ram Mohan, Ph.D., P.E., Haley Noteboom, Dr. Paul Pitt, and Yewei Sun, Ph.D., WE&T, Pg. 67 (September 2023)

Gascoigne Wastewater Treatment Plant Operational Improvement Medal

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Dr. Paul Pitt

“Continuous-flow densification helps facilities unlock treatment capacity – and substantial cost savings,” Alonso Griborio, Ph.D., P.E., David Jones, Dr. Wendell Khunjar, P.E., Ron Latimer, P.E., Melissa Meyer, P.E., Gayathri Ram Mohan, Ph.D., P.E., Haley Noteboom, Dr. Paul Pitt, and Yewei Sun, Ph.D., WE&T, Pg. 67 (September 2023)

Gascoigne Wastewater Treatment Plant Operational Improvement Medal

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Yewei Sun, Ph.D.

“Continuous-flow densification helps facilities unlock treatment capacity – and substantial cost savings,” Alonso Griborio, Ph.D., P.E., David Jones, Dr. Wendell Khunjar, P.E., Ron Latimer, P.E., Melissa Meyer, P.E., Gayathri Ram Mohan, Ph.D., P.E., Haley Noteboom, Dr. Paul Pitt, and Yewei Sun, Ph.D., WE&T, Pg. 67 (September 2023)

McKee Groundwater Protection, Restoration, or Sustainable Use Award

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Dr. Guido Borzi

“Assessment of cation exchange as conditioning processes of water chemistry in freshwater lenses”, Dr. Guido Borzi, Dr. Eleonora Carol, Dr. Sebastián Richiano, Dr. Lucía Santucci, and Dr. Carolina Tanjal, WER, Volume 95, Issue 3 (February 2023)

McKee Groundwater Protection, Restoration, or Sustainable Use Award

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Dr. Eleonora Carol

“Assessment of cation exchange as conditioning processes of water chemistry in freshwater lenses”, Dr. Guido Borzi, Dr. Eleonora Carol, Dr. Sebastián Richiano, Dr. Lucía Santucci, and Dr. Carolina Tanjal, WER, Volume 95, Issue 3 (February 2023)

McKee Groundwater Protection, Restoration, or Sustainable Use Award

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Dr. Sebastián Richiano

“Assessment of cation exchange as conditioning processes of water chemistry in freshwater lenses”, Dr. Guido Borzi, Dr. Eleonora Carol, Dr. Sebastián Richiano, Dr. Lucía Santucci, and Dr. Carolina Tanjal, WER, Volume 95, Issue 3 (February 2023)

 

McKee Groundwater Protection, Restoration, or Sustainable Use Award

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Dr. Lucía Santucci

“Assessment of cation exchange as conditioning processes of water chemistry in freshwater lenses”, Dr. Guido Borzi, Dr. Eleonora Carol, Dr. Sebastián Richiano, Dr. Lucía Santucci, and Dr. Carolina Tanjal, WER, Volume 95, Issue 3 (February 2023)

McKee Groundwater Protection, Restoration, or Sustainable Use Award

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Dr. Carolina Tanjal

“Assessment of cation exchange as conditioning processes of water chemistry in freshwater lenses”, Dr. Guido Borzi, Dr. Eleonora Carol, Dr. Sebastián Richiano, Dr. Lucía Santucci, and Dr. Carolina Tanjal, WER, Volume 95, Issue 3 (February 2023)

Rudolfs Industrial Waste Management Medal

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Christopher Beranek, P.E.

“Using Ultrafiltration to Achieve Stringent Heavy Metal Discharge Limits and Effluent Reuse for Engine Remanufacturing Wastewater”, Christopher Beranek, P.E., Divya Malyala, P.E., Bob Stolt, P.E., and Lara Thurn, P.E., Access Water Proceedings of the Water Environment Federation, WEFTEC Conference Paper (October 2023)

Rudolfs Industrial Waste Management Medal

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Divya Malyala, P.E.

“Using Ultrafiltration to Achieve Stringent Heavy Metal Discharge Limits and Effluent Reuse for Engine Remanufacturing Wastewater”, Christopher Beranek, P.E., Divya Malyala, P.E., Bob Stolt, P.E., and Lara Thurn, P.E., Access Water Proceedings of the Water Environment Federation, WEFTEC Conference Paper (October 2023)

Rudolfs Industrial Waste Management Medal

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Bob Stolt, P.E

"Using Ultrafiltration to Achieve Stringent Heavy Metal Discharge Limits and Effluent Reuse for Engine Remanufacturing Wastewater," Christopher Beranek, P.E., Divya Malyala, P.E., Bob Stolt, P.E., and Lara Thurn, P.E., Access Water Proceedings of the Water Environment Federation, WEFTEC Conference Paper (October 2023)

Rudolfs Industrial Waste Management Medal

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Lara Thurn, P.E.

“Using Ultrafiltration to Achieve Stringent Heavy Metal Discharge Limits and Effluent Reuse for Engine Remanufacturing Wastewater”, Christopher Beranek, P.E., Divya Malyala, P.E., Bob Stolt, P.E., and Lara Thurn, P.E., Access Water Proceedings of the Water Environment Federation, WEFTEC Conference Paper (October 2023)

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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Berrin Tansel, Ph.D., P.E., F ASCE, F WEF

Florida Water Environment Association

Student Chapter of the Year Award

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Old Dominion University Environmental Engineering Student Association

Canham Graduate Studies Scholarship

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Lilia Ochoa Romero

Rutgers University

Public Communication & Outreach Program Award (Individual Category)

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Kahao Lim

AZ Water Association

Public Communication & Outreach Program Award (Other Category)

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Hamline University’s Center for Global Environmental Education (CGEE)

“Adopt-a-Drain” Program

Public Communication & Outreach Program Award (Other Category)

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City of Tacoma Environmental Services (ES)

“If it Hits the Ground, It Hits the Sound!” Program

 

Media & Public Education Medal

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Oliver Morrison

Operator Scholarship

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Brendan Casey Jr.

New York Water Environment Association

Operator Scholarship

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Javian Conley

Alabama's Water Environment Association

Operator Scholarship

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Colinrae James Gonzalez

Water Environment Association of Utah

Operator Scholarship

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Cody Graeve

Iowa Water Environment Association

Operator Scholarship

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Brice Hall

Pennsylvania Water Environment Association

Operator Scholarship

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Mathew Scott Hazelwood

Iowa Water Environment Association

Operator Scholarship

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Stephen Kelly

AZ Water Association

Operator Scholarship

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Carrie LaFond

New England Water Environment Association

Operator Scholarship

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Jordan Lewis

Water Environment Association of South Carolina

Operator Scholarship

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Chrystal Pointer

Pacific Northwest Clean Water Association

Operator Scholarship

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Marcos Quintero

Missouri Water Environment Association

Operator Scholarship

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Javier Rondon

Iowa Water Environment Association

Operator Scholarship

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Holly Ruble

Iowa Water Environment Association

Operator Scholarship

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Mr. Theodore Jackson Sammon

Rocky Mountain Water Environment Association

Operator Scholarship

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Ms. Tara R. Simmon

New York Water Environment Association

Operator Scholarship

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Chris Tatum

New York Water Environment Association

Operator Scholarship

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Stacy Thompson

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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Darnell Brown
Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District President, Board of Trustees
Ohio Water Environment Federation

Public Officials Award

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Rick Crosby
Mount Pleasant Waterworks
Commission Chairman (South Carolina)
Water Environment Association of South Carolina

Public Officials Award

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Mr. Ernest R. Williams
McAllen Public Utility Board
Vice Chairman (Texas)
Water Environment Association of Texas

Best WEFTEC Program Abstract Award

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Jeffrey Allen

“Benzene Removal in a Petroleum Refinery Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor System”.

 

Best WEFTEC Program Abstract Award

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Greg Elliott

“Benzene Removal in a Petroleum Refinery Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor System”.

Best WEFTEC Program Abstract Award

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David R. Marrs, P.E.
“Benzene Removal in a Petroleum Refinery Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor System”.

Camp Applied Research Award

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Dr. Francis L. de los Reyes III

NC One Water

Emerson Distinguished Service Medal

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Rasheed Ahmad, Ph.D., P.E.
Georgia Association of Water Professionals

Schroepfer Innovative Facility Design Medal

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Jeff VanVoorhis
Central States Water Environment Association

Ralph Fuhrman Medal for Outstanding Water Quality Academic-Practice Collaboration

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Roy Coley, MBA, Director

Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department

Ralph Fuhrman Medal for Outstanding Water Quality Academic-Practice Collaboration

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Berrin Tansel, PhD, P.E., F ASCE, F WEF

Florida International University / Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department

Water For People Robert W. Hite Distinguished Leadership Award

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Trenton Thomas Woodward

Awarded Posthumously

WEF Mentorship Award

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Nicole E. Brown
New Jersey Water Environment Association
Pennsylvania Water Environment Association

W. Wesley Eckenfelder Industrial Water Quality Lifetime Achievement Award

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Paul T. Bowen, Ph.D.

Georgia Association of Water Professionals, Water Environment Association of South Carolina

W. Wesley Eckenfelder Industrial Water Quality Lifetime Achievement Award

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Michael K. Stenstrom

California Water Environment Association

Water Heroes Award

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Jacobs - Farmington Water Operations Team

Water Heroes Award

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Houston Water

Water Heroes Award

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Knoxville Utilities Board

Outstanding Young Water Environment Professional Award

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Sam Hawkinson
California Water Environment 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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Michael Holland
Central States Water Environment Association

Morgan Operational Solutions Award

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Alexandria Gagnon
Virginia Water Environment Association

Water Quality Improvement Award

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Arizona Department of Environmental Quality & United States Forest Service 

WEF Safety Award

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Clayton County Water Authority Safety program

WEF Safety Award

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Roanoke Rapids Sanitary District

WEF Project Excellence Award

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City of Santa Monica Sustainable Water Infrastructure Project (SWIP)

Honorees: City of Santa Monica - Water Resources Division, Kiewit, ARCADIS, PERC Water

WEF Project Excellence Award

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City of Santa Monica Sustainable Water Infrastructure Project (SWIP)

Honorees: City of Santa Monica - Water Resources Division, Kiewit, ARCADIS, PERC Water

WEF Project Excellence Award

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City of Santa Monica Sustainable Water Infrastructure Project (SWIP)

Honorees: City of Santa Monica - Water Resources Division, Kiewit, ARCADIS, PERC Water

WEF Project Excellence Award

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City of Santa Monica Sustainable Water Infrastructure Project (SWIP)

Honorees: City of Santa Monica - Water Resources Division, Kiewit, ARCADIS, PERC Water

WEF Project Excellence Award

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SacSewer (Sacramento, CA) Echo Water Project

Honorees: SacSewer, Brown & Caldwell/HDR Joint Venture, Dragados USA, Inc.

WEF Project Excellence Award

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SacSewer (Sacramento, CA) Echo Water Project

Honorees: SacSewer, Brown & Caldwell/HDR Joint Venture, Dragados USA, Inc.

WEF Project Excellence Award

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SacSewer (Sacramento, CA) Echo Water Project

Honorees: SacSewer, Brown & Caldwell/HDR Joint Venture, Dragados USA, Inc.

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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AECOM
Best Design (Full Page)
"Squaring the Circle"

Citation of Excellence in Advertising

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Fehr Bros. Industries
Best Design (Fractional Page)
"Need a Lift?"

Citation of Excellence in Advertising

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SewerAI Corporation
Best Overall Ad
"The #1 Pipe Inspection Software Solution for a Reason"

Citation of Excellence in Advertising

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Aqua-Aerobic Systems, Inc.
Best Campaign
"Aqua Prime"

Citation of Excellence in Advertising

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Pentair
Best Presentation of Information (Full Page)
Ad Agency: SYNERGi Media
"Wrong Number?"

Citation of Excellence in Advertising

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Kusters Water, A Division of Zima
Best Presentation of Information (Fractional Page)
"A Myriad of Solutions"

Member Association Achievement Award

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MA with Membership Greater than 500
Water Environment Association of Ontario