CWEA Award Winners Represent Districts Throughout The State

OAKLAND, Calif., July 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The California Water Environment Association (CWEA) announced winners in several wastewater awards categories, recognizing innovation, excellence, safety and training, and more.

Collection Systems

• The Wastewater Collection System Person the Year Award recognizes an individual for their innovation and excellence in collection systems maintenance. Winner: Leon Laucirica, Ironhouse Sanitary District, San Francisco Bay Section.
  
• The Wastewater Gimmicks & Gadgets Award recognizes innovation and creativity in developing solutions to performing routine tasks or functions in maintenance, operations, or construction of wastewater collection systems. Categories include:
  
• First Place, Operations & Maintenance: Mark Vermeer, Mission Springs Water District, Deragger 3000, which helps remove rags from influent pumps.
  
• Wastewater Operator of the Year Award recognizes outstanding contributions to the operations of wastewater treatment facilities and the application of knowledge to improve plant processes. Winner: Amanda Bird, City of Santa Cruz.
  
• Wastewater Mechanical Technician Person of the Year Award recognizes outstanding performance, dedication to the job, and for sharing knowledge of maintenance procedures. Winner:  John Abdilla, Ironhouse Sanitary District.
  
• Wastewater Electrical/Instrumentation Person of the Year Award recognizes significant contributions to the field and an individual's contribution to CWEA. Winner: David Peel, City of Pacifica.

Plant Safety

• Wastewater Plant Safety Award criteria include number of injuries, lost-time accidents, record keeping, in-house training, emergency response, and program implementation.
• Small (1-25 employees), Big Bear Area Regional Wastewater Agency, Desert and Mountain Section.
  
• Large (76 or greater employees), East Bay Municipal Utility District, Main Wastewater Treatment Plant (Special District 1), San Francisco Bay Section.
  
• Wastewater Plant of the Year Award recognizes accomplishments in compliance, innovative practices, cost effectiveness, and superior plant performance in small, medium, and large categories.
• Plant of the Year (< 5 MGD), Leadership Development, Olivenhain Municipal Water District.
  
• Plant of the Year (5-20 MGD), Leadership Development, San Elijo Joint Powers Authority.
  
• Plant of the Year (> 20 MGD), Leadership Development, Silicon Valley Clean Water.
  
• Community Engagement and Outreach recognizes achievements in promoting awareness and understanding of water quality issues in two project categories – small and large budget in addition to social media and individual achievement.
• Large Project of the Year, Central Marin Sanitation Agency, Redwood Empire Section.
• Small Project of the Year, Central Contra Costa Sanitary District, San Francisco Bay Section
• Best Use of Social Media, Inland Empire Utilities Agency, Santa Ana River Basin Section.
• Person of the Year, Mary Jo Ramey, Central Marin Sanitation Agency, Redwood Empire Section.

About CWEA

At CWEA, we empower wastewater professionals as they protect California's most critical resource: water. Since our founding in 1928, we've grown to a community of more than 10,000 members across all facets of wastewater management and resource recovery, from operators to lab techs to engineers.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Megan Barillo
[email protected]
510-382-7800 X141

SOURCE California Water Environment Association

Related Links

www.cwea.org