Congratulations to the 2025 Award Winners!

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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.

Karl Linden

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
Kelley Dearing Smith – Abel Wolman (1)

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
Rebecca 1

Paula I. MacIlwaine Award

Rebecca Wheeler, Senior Manager, International Programs, AWWA

To recognize outstanding accomplishments by a staff member of AWWA.

Award Info
Hillary Caron – Van Der Kolk

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 – Steve Walden

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
Individual DEI – Tony Carnell
Individual Award Winner

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.

DEI – Organizational
Organizational Award Winner

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.

Nancy Toth – Division Best Article & Publications Award
Division Best Article

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

Mike Bernard – Division Best Article
Division Best Article

Engineering & Construction Division

“Using Digital Twins to Improve Pumping and Distribution Systems Operations.” January 2024.

Michael Benard

Divion Best Article – Brianna Tomko
Division Best Article

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

Liesel Hans – Division Best Article
Division Best Article

Water Conservation Division

“Proactive Leak Notification Programs Advance Conservation.” September 2024.

Liesel Hans

Division Best Article

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

vladamir-dozortsev-water-and-science-div
Division Best Article

Water Science & Research Division

“Arsenic Treatment Using Electrolytic Ferrous Reagent to Replace Bulk Ferric Chloride.” May 2024.

Vladimir Dozortsev, Roy Sanchez

Ufuk Erdal – Division Best Article
Division Best Article

Water Resource Sustainability Division

“Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Can Make Potable Reuse Projects More Resilient.” June 2024.

Ufuk Erdal, Ozan Erdal

Joe Jacangelo – Dr. John L. Leal Award

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 – central_arkansas_water_logo
Very Large Source Water Systems

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.

Award Info
Five Under 35

Outstanding Young Professional Award

Bailey Keller
Bailey Keller
Kara Cunningham
Kara Cunningham
Mariana Anguiano
Mariana Anguiano
Nicole Proto
Nicole Proto
Dane Elliot
Dane Elliot
View More: http://kevinlaw.pass.us/jenny

Jack W. Hoffbuhr Award

Jenny Ingrao

Recognition of outstanding performance and accomplishments by a Section professional staff member of AWWA.

Award Info
Sally Mills Wright – Honorary Member

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.”

Award Info
KihsKristin – Lechner

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.

Award Info
Oustanding Service to AWWA

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 Award – Alison Rauch

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
Water Resource Sustainability Division

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
Dyson, Ernest – Heroism

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.

Dr. Betsy Reilly – Volunteer of the Year

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
Rhodes Trussell – Water Industry Hall of Fame

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
Annie Storey – Zenno A. Gorder Award

Zenno A. Gorder Award

Annie Storey, Illinois Section

To recognize the Section Staff member who recruited more new members than any other member.