People/Awards
The Washington Aqueduct earned taste test awards for drinking water from its Dalecarlia (first place) and McMillan (second place) Water Treatment Plants from the Chesapeake Section, AWWA in the Surface Water Division. Dalecarlia won the best in show title of 2024 Taste Master over Anne Arundel County’s Dorsey Road water plant, winner of the Groundwater Division.
The Daphne Utilities Water Quality Department earned the Award of Excellence for the Lovette Water Treatment Plant from the Alabama Water Pollution Control Association. The agency’s Trojan Water Treatment Plant received the Best Operated Plant award.
Monterey Peninsula Water Management District, Marina Coast Water District and California American Water Company were named Recycled Water Customers of the Year by WateReuse California.
Bloomington received a Best in Glass trophy from the AWWA Minnesota chapter at its tap water taste test competition.
Jacobs won a 2024 Award of Excellence from the Association of Consulting Engineering Companies in British Columbia in the municipal and civil infrastructure category. The award was for civil engineering, rehabilitation, and design and engineering during construction of the New Westminster Interceptor Columbia Section Rehabilitation project.
John Harren, general manager of Willmar (Minnesota) Municipal Utilities, retired after nearly 11 years at the utility.
Jason Trepanier was named water and wastewater superintendent in Harwich, Massachusetts.
The City of Charlottesville, Virginia, received a U.S. EPA WaterSense Sustained Excellence Award.
Ernest Williams, public utility vice chairman in McAllen, Texas, received the Public Official Award from the WEF for his contributions to water and wastewater infrastructure and his commitment to sustainable water management.
Valerie Smith, assistant water resources director in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, was promoted to director of the city’s Water Resources Department, replacing Darren Gore, who was promoted to city manager.
Leah Leimbacher, utility laboratory chief in Chesterton, Indiana, was certified as Class IV Wastewater Operator.
Bob Wells stepped down as wastewater treatment plant superintendent in Middlebury, Vermont, after almost 30 years on the job.
Events
Jan. 7-8
Michigan Onsite Wastewater Conference, Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center, East Lansing. Visit www.canr.msu.edu.
Jan. 7-8
Louisiana Ground Water Association Convention and Trade Show, Paragon Casino, Marksville. Visit www.lgwa.org.
Jan. 8-10
Wisconsin Water Well Association Annual Conference, Kalahari Resort and Convention Center, Wisconsin Dells. Visit www.wisconsinwaterwell.com.
Jan. 8-10
Utah Ground Water Association Conference and Expo, CasaBlanca Resort and Casino, Mesquite, Nevada. Visit www.utahgrounddwater.org.
Jan. 14-16
South Dakota Association of Rural Water Systems Annual Technical Conference, Ramkota Hotel & Conference Center, Pierre. Visit www.sdarwa.com.
Jan. 20-22
Kansas Ground Water Association Annual Convention and Trade Show, Kansas Star Event Center, Mulvane. Visit www.kgwa.org.
Jan. 22-23
Nebraska Water Environment Association Snowball Conference, Kearney Holiday Inn. Visit www.nebwea.org.
Jan. 22-24
Idaho Ground Water Association Annual Convention, Riverside Hotel, Garden City. Visit www.igwa.info.
Jan. 23-24
Michigan Water Environment Association Wastewater Administrators Conference, Bavarian Inn, Frankenmuth. Visit www.mi-wea.org.
Jan 27-30
Nevada Water Resources Association Annual Conference, Nugget Casino, Sparks. Visit www.nvwra.org.
Jan. 28-30
Texas Groundwater Association Annual Convention, Lubbock Memorial Civic Center. Visit www.tgwa.org.
Jan. 28-31
National Association of Clean Water Agencies 2025 Winter Conference, Westin Rancho Mirage Golf Resort & Spa, California. Visit www.nacwa.org.
Jan. 31
South Carolina Ground Water Association Winter Meeting and Trade Show, Seawell’s Conference Center, Columbia. Visit www.scgwa.org.
