The WateReuse Association recently announced a slate of award winners representing communities across the United States that are elevating opportunities for water recycling.
The award winners were recognized at the 2024 WateReuse Symposium in Denver and exemplify the event’s theme: Removing Barriers, Elevating Opportunities.
The awards include the WateReuse Awards for Excellence (multiple categories), President’s Awards and Service Awards.
WateReuse Awards for Excellence
The WateReuse Awards for Excellence recognize the people, projects and partnerships that demonstrate exceptional leadership toward building more resilient communities through water reuse. Award recipients use water recycling in novel ways to solve water management challenges, advance policies that facilitate greater adoption of water recycling and inspire others through their innovation and leadership.
To read more information and view videos about the award winners, visit this page.
The award winners are:
Advocacy Achievement
- Craig Miller, Western Municipal Water District, California
- Daniel K. Nix, City of Wichita Falls, Texas
- John Rehring, Carollo Engineers
- WateReuse Texas State Section
The Advocacy Achievement award recognizes individuals and organizations for significant achievements in advancing policy, legislation or regulations that facilitate greater adoption, implementation or acceptance of recycled water.
Community Water Champion
- City of Pompano Beach OASIS Reuse Utility, Florida
- Orange County Water District and Orange County Sanitation District, California
The Community Water Champion award recognizes the accomplishments of utilities and local government entities that ensure a safe, reliable, locally controlled water supply through the development of water recycling treatment facilities, infrastructure and/or other water reuse projects.
Excellence in Action
- Inland Empire Utilities Agency, California
The Excellence in Action award recognizes community leaders that demonstrate a commitment to water resiliency through the innovative use of recycled water for commercial operations, watershed restoration projects, irrigation, or other projects.
Outreach and Education
- Eastern Municipal Water District, California
- Water Replenishment District’s External Affairs Department, California
The Outreach and Education award recognizes significant success in advancing public acceptance of recycled water, including short-term campaigns, educational programs and events.
Transformational Innovation
- Loxahatchee River Environmental Control District, Florida
- Palm Beach County Water Utilities Department, Florida and CDM Smith
The Transformational Innovation award recognizes technological advances, research breakthroughs and innovative practices that advance the adoption, implementation or public acceptance of recycled water.
Up and Comer
- Susheera Pochiraju, PhD, Hazen and Sawyer
The Up and Comer award recognizes a professional with less than 10 years’ experience in the recycled water industry for leadership in the industry and commitment to pursuing water recycling as a career path.
President’s Awards
- Michael R. Markus
The President’s Awards recognize individuals who have significantly contributed to the advancement of water reuse through exceptional service and leadership. This award is given at the discretion of the WateReuse Association President.
Mike Markus concluded his distinguished tenure as general manager of the Orange County Water District in January 2024. Renowned for his visionary leadership in water resource management, Markus’ career at OCWD spanned 35 years. A highlight of his tenure was overseeing the construction and successful implementation of the Groundwater Replenishment System, the largest potable reuse project of its kind. Beyond his role at OCWD, Markus has been a pivotal figure in the water industry, holding various leadership positions. He has been a leading advocate for water reuse, playing a critical role in raising awareness and garnering support for projects worldwide.
Service Awards
- Pinar Balci, New York City Department of Environmental Protection
- B Narayanan, Carollo Engineers
