Congratulations to the 2024 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
Darren A. Lytle, Ph.D., P.E.
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
Robert C. Cheng, Ph.D., P.E.
An award of excellence to recognize those whose careers in the water works industry exemplify vision, creativity, and excellent professional performance.
Award Info

Archie Becher, Jr. Award
Frank Kurtz
To recognize outstanding accomplishments by a staff member of AWWA.
Award Info

Austin F. McCormack, Jr. Award
David M. Warsinger
To recognize and honor membrane related contributions made by a young professional to the water or public health community.
Award Info

Award of Merit
Dr. Charles Goss
To recognize those outside the water profession who have demonstrated outstanding service in support of the principles of AWWA in providing better water for people.
Award Info

Chuck Van Der Kolk Award
Judy Soda, Connecticut Section
To recognize the individual member who recruited more new members than any other member.
Award Info

Distinguished Public Service Award
Ted Henifin
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
Calvin Farr
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
Prince William County Service Authority (PWCSA)
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.
Award Info

Distribution & Plant Operations Division
“Hamilton’s Proactive Leak Detection Improves Infrastructure and Water Quality,” 2023
Dave Alberton, Mike Sbranchella

Engineering & Construction Division
“Establishing Levels of Service as the Foundation of Utility Asset Management,” 2023
Barry Buchanan, Frank Roth, Erin McLachlan Sanchez, Dinorah Sánchez, Kurt Vause, Andy Yang, Craig Paul Omundsen, Martin Jones, Kevin V. Campanella, Celine Hyer, Heather Himmelberger

Management & Leadership Division
“Troubled Utilities: Seeing the Way Forward,” 2023
John Young

Water Conservation Division
“The Conservation Potential of Smart Irrigation Controllers for Over-Irrigators.” 2023
Nicholas Taylor, Connor Atkinson, Kaitlin Robb Price, Parker Johnson, Bradley Spatz

Water Quality & Technology Division
“Benton Harbor: From Lead Crisis to Lead-Free,” 2023
Elin Warn Betanzo, Edward Pinkney, Danielle Land

Water Science & Research Division
“Research Collaborations with Water and Wastewater Utilities,” 2023
Hunter Adams, Adam Eyring, John Albert, Adam Hendricks, Rasheed Ahmad, Andrea Wyatt, Baris Kaymak, Keisuke Ikehata, Siavash Isazadeh, Laith Furatian, Bina Nayak, John Norton, Daniel Horne

Dr. John L. Leal Award
John S. Young, Jr.
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
Greenville Water
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.
Award Info






Jack W. Hoffbuhr Award
Clara Shea, Atlantic Canada Section
Recognition of outstanding performance and accomplishments by a Section professional staff member of AWWA.
Award Info

Honorary Member Award
Mary Ann Dickinson, California-Nevada Section
To recognize members “whose knowledge and accomplishments in the field of water supply entitle him/her to special recognition.”
Award Info

Innovation Award
Tnemec
To recognize members for fulfilling the Vision of the Innovation Initiative.
Award Info

John Lechner Award of Excellence
Dan Carter, Georgia Section
To recognize a Section Service Provider Member who has demonstrated exemplary service to the drinking water community and to AWWA’s Mission and goals.
Award Info

Outstanding Service to AWWA Award
Sandy Smith
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
EPCOR Utilities, Inc.
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
“Adaptive Planning: A Resilience Model for Communities,” Journal AWWA, July 2023
Rachel Duncan, Steve Hunter, Tyler Christoff, John Rehring, Beorn Courtney
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

Volunteer of the Year Award
Dr. Colin Chung
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
Desmond “Des” F. Lawler
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
Mona Cavalcoli, New Jersey & Minnesota Sections
To recognize the Section Staff member who recruited more new members than any other member.
Award Info