Congratulations to the 2025 Award Winners!
AWWA recognizes those who have dedicated themselves to the pursuit for clean and safe water. Their dedication has made a profound impact on the industry and for AWWA. Join us in applauding their outstanding work and be inspired to join the ranks of excellence. *Please note: If the award wasn’t given out this year, it is not listed on this page.
A.P. Black Research Award
Karl Gregory Linden, Ph.D.
To recognize outstanding research contributions to water science and water supply rendered over an appreciable period of time.
Award Info
Abel Wolman Award of Excellence
Kelley Dearing Smith
An award of excellence to recognize those whose careers in the water works industry exemplify vision, creativity, and excellent professional performance.
Award Info
Paula I. MacIlwaine Award
Rebecca Wheeler, Senior Manager, International Programs, AWWA
To recognize outstanding accomplishments by a staff member of AWWA.
Award Info
Chuck Van Der Kolk Award
Hillary Caron, Michigan Section
To recognize the individual member who recruited more new members than any other member.
Award Info
Distinguished Public Service Award
Steve Walden
The award for Distinguished Public Service, established in 1951 in honor of Harry E. Jordan who served as Secretary of the Association from 1936 to 1959, is presented in recognition of distinguished public service outside the line of duty by an AWWA member.
Award Info
Diversity & Inclusion Award
Tony Carnell
To recognize an individual that has created, promoted, and maintained diversity and inclusion by establishing an environment that recognizes, encourages, and effectively utilizes each individual’s talents.
Diversity & Inclusion Award
Texas AWWA – SETH Program
To recognize an organization that has created, promoted, and maintained diversity and inclusion by establishing an environment that recognizes, encourages, and effectively utilizes each individual’s talents.
Award Info
Division Best Article Awards
To recognize annually the author(s) of outstanding papers from each AWWA Technical and Education (TEC) Division published in Journal AWWA from January through December of the previous year.
Distribution & Plant Operations Division
“Oregon’s Unprecedented Labor Day 2020 Fires: Impacts and Responses.” May, 2024
Nancy Toth, Craig Harper, Matthew Del Moro, Robert M. Henry, Erica C. Fischer, Emily Jane Davis
Engineering & Construction Division
“Using Digital Twins to Improve Pumping and Distribution Systems Operations.” January 2024.
Michael Benard
Management & Leadership Division
“Winter Storm Uri: Public Drinking Water System Resilience in Texas.” April 2024.
Brianna Tomko, Christine L. Nittrouer, Xavier Sanchez-Villa, Audrey H. Sawyer
Water Conservation Division
“Proactive Leak Notification Programs Advance Conservation.” September 2024.
Liesel Hans
Water Quality & Technology Division
“What’s New with Old Galvanized Iron Pipe? A Toolbox for Utilities.” March 2024.
Roger B. Arnold, Jeffrey Parks, Marc A. Edwards, Becki Rosenfeldt
Water Science & Research Division
“Arsenic Treatment Using Electrolytic Ferrous Reagent to Replace Bulk Ferric Chloride.” May 2024.
Vladimir Dozortsev, Roy Sanchez
Water Resource Sustainability Division
“Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Can Make Potable Reuse Projects More Resilient.” June 2024.
Ufuk Erdal, Ozan Erdal
Dr. John L. Leal Award
Joe Jacangelo
The Dr. John L. Leal Award is presented annually for distinguished service to the water profession in commemoration of the sound medical/public health expertise and the courageous leadership advancing public health that characterized the life of Dr. John L. Leal.
Award Info
Exemplary Source Water Protection Award
Medium Drinking Water System – Virgin Valley Water District, Mesquite, Nevada
Large Drinking Water System – Central Arkansas Water, Little Rock, Arkansas
To recognize organizations in North America who have developed and are implementing exemplary source water protection programs.
Award Info
Five Under 35 – Outstanding Young Professional Award
This award is presented to recognize and honor young professional members of AWWA who have demonstrated outstanding service to their Section or Association through leadership and active participation in AWWA YP programs.
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Outstanding Young Professional Award
Bailey Keller
Kara Cunningham
Mariana Anguiano
Nicole Proto
Dane Elliot
Jack W. Hoffbuhr Award
Jenny Ingrao
Recognition of outstanding performance and accomplishments by a Section professional staff member of AWWA.
Award Info
Honorary Member Award
Sally Mills-Wright, Dallas Water Utilities
To recognize members “whose knowledge and accomplishments in the field of water supply entitle him/her to special recognition.”
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John Lechner Award of Excellence
Kristin Kihs
To recognize a Section Service Provider Member who has demonstrated exemplary service to the drinking water community and to AWWA’s Mission and goals.
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Outstanding Service to AWWA Award
Chi Ho Sham, Ph.D.
To recognize and honor a member of the American Water Works Association who has demonstrated outstanding service to the Association through leadership and active participation in AWWA programs.
Award Info
Public Communications Achievement – Individual
Alison Rauch, Greer Commission of Public Works
To recognize individual AWWA members and/or member organizations for fostering and supporting the development of public outreach programs and integrating public affairs as a core element of utility planning and management.
Award Info
Public Communications Achievement – Organization
Great Lakes Water Authority
To recognize individual AWWA members and/or member organizations for fostering and supporting the development of public outreach programs and integrating public affairs as a core element of utility planning and management.
Award Info
Publications Award
“Oregon’s Unprecedented Labor Day 2020 Fires: Impacts and Response,” by Nancy Toth, Craig Harper, Matthew Del Moro, Robert M. Henry, Erica C. Fischer, Emily Jane Davis
To recognize and honor the most notable contribution, scientific or practical, to the public water supply profession as published in the Journal AWWA of the American Water Works Association.
Award Info
Heroism Award
Ernest Dyson
This award shall constitute official recognition of an act of heroism on the part of an employee(s) in the water utility profession wherein he or she, in the process of aiding some other person or persons, must have placed himself/herself at great personal risk.
Volunteer of the Year Award
Dr. Betsy Reilly
To recognize and honor an individual AWWA member who has advanced AWWA Denver or D.C. through his/her volunteer time and efforts and has been a support to AWWA staff.
Award Info
Water Industry Hall of Fame
Dr. Rhodes Trussell
The Water Industry Hall of Fame was established in 1970 to perpetuate the memory of those living and deceased who have made the most significant contributions to the field of public water supply.
Award Info
Zenno A. Gorder Award
Annie Storey, Illinois Section
To recognize the Section Staff member who recruited more new members than any other member.