2024 WEF Award Winners
WEF is honored to annually recognize and congratulate those who make an immense impact on the world of water in many ways.
Through the WEF Awards Program, you will find below the vast and varied list of Awards and recipients we are pleased to present.
WEF FellowS Published Papers Education Awards Individual Service and Contribution Awards Operation Design and Excellence Awards Organization and Association Recognition Awards
Click here to watch the 2024 WEF Awards & Presidential Celebration Ceremony livestream at WEFTEC and continue celebrating the 2024 Award recipients!
2024 WEF Fellows
Created to celebrate outstanding contributions to the global water sector by long-time Water Environment Federation (WEF; Alexandria, Virginia) members, the WEF Fellows Recognition Program each year recognizes the professional achievement, stature, and contributions of WEF members to the preservation and enhancement of the global water environment. These professionals have made a lasting difference for public health and the environment.
Paul T. Bowen, Ph.D.
Georgia Association of Water Professionals, Water Environment Association of South Carolina
Joseph G. Cleary, P.E., BCEE
New York Water Environment Association
Dr. Christian Davies-Venn, Ph.D., P.E., BCEE, BCWRE, F.ASCE
Chesapeake Water Environment Association, Federal Water Quality Association
Christine deBarbadillo
Chesapeake Water Environment Association
John K. Esler, P.E.
New England Water Environment Association
Patricia Kennedy, P.E.
AZ Water Association
James S. Kumagai, Ph.D., P.E.
Hawaii Water Environment Association
Rebecca Lewis
Kansas Water Environment Association
Dave Mason
Water Environment Association of Texas
David William Oerke, P.E., BCEE
Rocky Mountain Water Environment Association
Dr. Ana J. Peña-Tijerina, P.E., BCEE
Water Environment Association of Texas
Joseph C. Reichenberger, P.E., BCEE
California Water Environment Association
Matthew Paul Ries, Ph.D., P.E.
Virginia Water Environment Association
José F. Velazquez, P.E.
Rocky Mountain Water Environment Association
James C. Young
Arkansas Water Environment Association
Eddy Wastewater Principles & Processes Medal
Yi Cao
“Monitoring biofilm thickness using the membrane aerated biofilm reactor (MABR) fingerprint soft sensor to optimize nitrogen removal”, Yi Cao, Zihao Cui, Glen T. Daigger, WER, Vol. 95, Issue 12 (December 2023)
Eddy Wastewater Principles & Processes Medal
Zihao Cui
“Monitoring biofilm thickness using the membrane aerated biofilm reactor (MABR) fingerprint soft sensor to optimize nitrogen removal”, Yi Cao, Zihao Cui, Glen T. Daigger, WER, Vol. 95, Issue 12 (December 2023)
Eddy Wastewater Principles & Processes Medal
Glen T. Daigger
“Monitoring biofilm thickness using the membrane aerated biofilm reactor (MABR) fingerprint soft sensor to optimize nitrogen removal”, Yi Cao, Zihao Cui, Glen T. Daigger, WER, Vol. 95, Issue 12 (December 2023)
Gascoigne Wastewater Treatment Plant Operational Improvement Medal
Alonso Griborio, Ph.D., P.E.
“Continuous-flow densification helps facilities unlock treatment capacity – and substantial cost savings,” Alonso Griborio, Ph.D., P.E., David Jones, Dr. Wendell Khunjar, P.E., Ron Latimer, P.E., Melissa Meyer, P.E., Gayathri Ram Mohan, Ph.D., P.E., Haley Noteboom, Dr. Paul Pitt, and Yewei Sun, Ph.D., WE&T, Pg. 67 (September 2023)
Gascoigne Wastewater Treatment Plant Operational Improvement Medal
David Jones
“Continuous-flow densification helps facilities unlock treatment capacity – and substantial cost savings,” Alonso Griborio, Ph.D., P.E., David Jones, Dr. Wendell Khunjar, P.E., Ron Latimer, P.E., Melissa Meyer, P.E., Gayathri Ram Mohan, Ph.D., P.E., Haley Noteboom, Dr. Paul Pitt, and Yewei Sun, Ph.D., WE&T, Pg. 67 (September 2023)
Gascoigne Wastewater Treatment Plant Operational Improvement Medal
Dr. Wendell Khunjar, P.E.
“Continuous-flow densification helps facilities unlock treatment capacity – and substantial cost savings,” Alonso Griborio, Ph.D., P.E., David Jones, Dr. Wendell Khunjar, P.E., Ron Latimer, P.E., Melissa Meyer, P.E., Gayathri Ram Mohan, Ph.D., P.E., Haley Noteboom, Dr. Paul Pitt, and Yewei Sun, Ph.D., WE&T, Pg. 67 (September 2023)
Gascoigne Wastewater Treatment Plant Operational Improvement Medal
Ron Latimer, P.E.
“Continuous-flow densification helps facilities unlock treatment capacity – and substantial cost savings,” Alonso Griborio, Ph.D., P.E., David Jones, Dr. Wendell Khunjar, P.E., Ron Latimer, P.E., Melissa Meyer, P.E., Gayathri Ram Mohan, Ph.D., P.E., Haley Noteboom, Dr. Paul Pitt, and Yewei Sun, Ph.D., WE&T, Pg. 67 (September 2023)
Gascoigne Wastewater Treatment Plant Operational Improvement Medal
Melissa Meyer, P.E.
“Continuous-flow densification helps facilities unlock treatment capacity – and substantial cost savings,” Alonso Griborio, Ph.D., P.E., David Jones, Dr. Wendell Khunjar, P.E., Ron Latimer, P.E., Melissa Meyer, P.E., Gayathri Ram Mohan, Ph.D., P.E., Haley Noteboom, Dr. Paul Pitt, and Yewei Sun, Ph.D., WE&T, Pg. 67 (September 2023)
Gascoigne Wastewater Treatment Plant Operational Improvement Medal
Gayathri Ram Mohan, Ph.D., P.E.
“Continuous-flow densification helps facilities unlock treatment capacity – and substantial cost savings,” Alonso Griborio, Ph.D., P.E., David Jones, Dr. Wendell Khunjar, P.E., Ron Latimer, P.E., Melissa Meyer, P.E., Gayathri Ram Mohan, Ph.D., P.E., Haley Noteboom, Dr. Paul Pitt, and Yewei Sun, Ph.D., WE&T, Pg. 67 (September 2023)
Gascoigne Wastewater Treatment Plant Operational Improvement Medal
Haley Noteboom
“Continuous-flow densification helps facilities unlock treatment capacity – and substantial cost savings,” Alonso Griborio, Ph.D., P.E., David Jones, Dr. Wendell Khunjar, P.E., Ron Latimer, P.E., Melissa Meyer, P.E., Gayathri Ram Mohan, Ph.D., P.E., Haley Noteboom, Dr. Paul Pitt, and Yewei Sun, Ph.D., WE&T, Pg. 67 (September 2023)
Gascoigne Wastewater Treatment Plant Operational Improvement Medal
Dr. Paul Pitt
“Continuous-flow densification helps facilities unlock treatment capacity – and substantial cost savings,” Alonso Griborio, Ph.D., P.E., David Jones, Dr. Wendell Khunjar, P.E., Ron Latimer, P.E., Melissa Meyer, P.E., Gayathri Ram Mohan, Ph.D., P.E., Haley Noteboom, Dr. Paul Pitt, and Yewei Sun, Ph.D., WE&T, Pg. 67 (September 2023)
Gascoigne Wastewater Treatment Plant Operational Improvement Medal
Yewei Sun, Ph.D.
“Continuous-flow densification helps facilities unlock treatment capacity – and substantial cost savings,” Alonso Griborio, Ph.D., P.E., David Jones, Dr. Wendell Khunjar, P.E., Ron Latimer, P.E., Melissa Meyer, P.E., Gayathri Ram Mohan, Ph.D., P.E., Haley Noteboom, Dr. Paul Pitt, and Yewei Sun, Ph.D., WE&T, Pg. 67 (September 2023)
McKee Groundwater Protection, Restoration, or Sustainable Use Award
Dr. Guido Borzi
“Assessment of cation exchange as conditioning processes of water chemistry in freshwater lenses”, Dr. Guido Borzi, Dr. Eleonora Carol, Dr. Sebastián Richiano, Dr. Lucía Santucci, and Dr. Carolina Tanjal, WER, Volume 95, Issue 3 (February 2023)
McKee Groundwater Protection, Restoration, or Sustainable Use Award
Dr. Eleonora Carol
“Assessment of cation exchange as conditioning processes of water chemistry in freshwater lenses”, Dr. Guido Borzi, Dr. Eleonora Carol, Dr. Sebastián Richiano, Dr. Lucía Santucci, and Dr. Carolina Tanjal, WER, Volume 95, Issue 3 (February 2023)
McKee Groundwater Protection, Restoration, or Sustainable Use Award
Dr. Sebastián Richiano
“Assessment of cation exchange as conditioning processes of water chemistry in freshwater lenses”, Dr. Guido Borzi, Dr. Eleonora Carol, Dr. Sebastián Richiano, Dr. Lucía Santucci, and Dr. Carolina Tanjal, WER, Volume 95, Issue 3 (February 2023)
McKee Groundwater Protection, Restoration, or Sustainable Use Award
Dr. Lucía Santucci
“Assessment of cation exchange as conditioning processes of water chemistry in freshwater lenses”, Dr. Guido Borzi, Dr. Eleonora Carol, Dr. Sebastián Richiano, Dr. Lucía Santucci, and Dr. Carolina Tanjal, WER, Volume 95, Issue 3 (February 2023)
McKee Groundwater Protection, Restoration, or Sustainable Use Award
Dr. Carolina Tanjal
“Assessment of cation exchange as conditioning processes of water chemistry in freshwater lenses”, Dr. Guido Borzi, Dr. Eleonora Carol, Dr. Sebastián Richiano, Dr. Lucía Santucci, and Dr. Carolina Tanjal, WER, Volume 95, Issue 3 (February 2023)
Rudolfs Industrial Waste Management Medal
Christopher Beranek, P.E.
“Using Ultrafiltration to Achieve Stringent Heavy Metal Discharge Limits and Effluent Reuse for Engine Remanufacturing Wastewater”, Christopher Beranek, P.E., Divya Malyala, P.E., Bob Stolt, P.E., and Lara Thurn, P.E., Access Water Proceedings of the Water Environment Federation, WEFTEC Conference Paper (October 2023)
Rudolfs Industrial Waste Management Medal
Divya Malyala, P.E.
“Using Ultrafiltration to Achieve Stringent Heavy Metal Discharge Limits and Effluent Reuse for Engine Remanufacturing Wastewater”, Christopher Beranek, P.E., Divya Malyala, P.E., Bob Stolt, P.E., and Lara Thurn, P.E., Access Water Proceedings of the Water Environment Federation, WEFTEC Conference Paper (October 2023)
Rudolfs Industrial Waste Management Medal
Bob Stolt, P.E
"Using Ultrafiltration to Achieve Stringent Heavy Metal Discharge Limits and Effluent Reuse for Engine Remanufacturing Wastewater," Christopher Beranek, P.E., Divya Malyala, P.E., Bob Stolt, P.E., and Lara Thurn, P.E., Access Water Proceedings of the Water Environment Federation, WEFTEC Conference Paper (October 2023)
Rudolfs Industrial Waste Management Medal
Lara Thurn, P.E.
“Using Ultrafiltration to Achieve Stringent Heavy Metal Discharge Limits and Effluent Reuse for Engine Remanufacturing Wastewater”, Christopher Beranek, P.E., Divya Malyala, P.E., Bob Stolt, P.E., and Lara Thurn, P.E., Access Water Proceedings of the Water Environment Federation, WEFTEC Conference Paper (October 2023)
Fair Distinguished Engineering Educator Medal
Berrin Tansel, Ph.D., P.E., F ASCE, F WEF
Florida Water Environment Association
Student Chapter of the Year Award
Old Dominion University Environmental Engineering Student Association
Canham Graduate Studies Scholarship
Lilia Ochoa Romero
Rutgers University
Public Communication & Outreach Program Award (Individual Category)
Kahao Lim
AZ Water Association
Public Communication & Outreach Program Award (Other Category)
Hamline University’s Center for Global Environmental Education (CGEE)
“Adopt-a-Drain” Program
Public Communication & Outreach Program Award (Other Category)
City of Tacoma Environmental Services (ES)
“If it Hits the Ground, It Hits the Sound!” Program
Media & Public Education Medal
Oliver Morrison
Operator Scholarship
Brendan Casey Jr.
New York Water Environment Association
Operator Scholarship
Javian Conley
Alabama's Water Environment Association
Operator Scholarship
Colinrae James Gonzalez
Water Environment Association of Utah
Operator Scholarship
Cody Graeve
Iowa Water Environment Association
Operator Scholarship
Brice Hall
Pennsylvania Water Environment Association
Operator Scholarship
Mathew Scott Hazelwood
Iowa Water Environment Association
Operator Scholarship
Stephen Kelly
AZ Water Association
Operator Scholarship
Carrie LaFond
New England Water Environment Association
Operator Scholarship
Jordan Lewis
Water Environment Association of South Carolina
Operator Scholarship
Chrystal Pointer
Pacific Northwest Clean Water Association
Operator Scholarship
Marcos Quintero
Missouri Water Environment Association
Operator Scholarship
Javier Rondon
Iowa Water Environment Association
Operator Scholarship
Holly Ruble
Iowa Water Environment Association
Operator Scholarship
Mr. Theodore Jackson Sammon
Rocky Mountain Water Environment Association
Operator Scholarship
Ms. Tara R. Simmon
New York Water Environment Association
Operator Scholarship
Chris Tatum
New York Water Environment Association
Operator Scholarship
Stacy Thompson
New England Water Environment Association
Public Officials Award
Darnell Brown
Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District President, Board of Trustees
Public Officials Award
Public Officials Award
Mr. Ernest R. Williams
McAllen Public Utility Board
Best WEFTEC Program Abstract Award
Jeffrey Allen
“Benzene Removal in a Petroleum Refinery Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor System”.
Best WEFTEC Program Abstract Award
Greg Elliott
“Benzene Removal in a Petroleum Refinery Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor System”.
Best WEFTEC Program Abstract Award
David R. Marrs, P.E.
“Benzene Removal in a Petroleum Refinery Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor System”.
Camp Applied Research Award
Dr. Francis L. de los Reyes III
NC One Water
Emerson Distinguished Service Medal
Rasheed Ahmad, Ph.D., P.E.
Georgia Association of Water Professionals
Schroepfer Innovative Facility Design Medal
Jeff VanVoorhis
Central States Water Environment Association
Ralph Fuhrman Medal for Outstanding Water Quality Academic-Practice Collaboration
Roy Coley, MBA, Director
Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department
Ralph Fuhrman Medal for Outstanding Water Quality Academic-Practice Collaboration
Berrin Tansel, PhD, P.E., F ASCE, F WEF
Florida International University / Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department
Water For People Robert W. Hite Distinguished Leadership Award
Trenton Thomas Woodward
Awarded Posthumously
WEF Mentorship Award
Nicole E. Brown
New Jersey Water Environment Association
Pennsylvania Water Environment Association
W. Wesley Eckenfelder Industrial Water Quality Lifetime Achievement Award
Paul T. Bowen, Ph.D.
Georgia Association of Water Professionals, Water Environment Association of South Carolina
W. Wesley Eckenfelder Industrial Water Quality Lifetime Achievement Award
Michael K. Stenstrom
California Water Environment Association
Water Heroes Award
Jacobs - Farmington Water Operations Team
Water Heroes Award
Houston Water
Water Heroes Award
Knoxville Utilities Board
Outstanding Young Water Environment Professional Award
Sam Hawkinson
California Water Environment Association
Collection Systems Award
Michael Holland
Central States Water Environment Association
Morgan Operational Solutions Award
Alexandria Gagnon
Virginia Water Environment Association
Water Quality Improvement Award
Arizona Department of Environmental Quality & United States Forest Service
WEF Safety Award
Clayton County Water Authority Safety program
WEF Safety Award
Roanoke Rapids Sanitary District
WEF Project Excellence Award
City of Santa Monica Sustainable Water Infrastructure Project (SWIP)
Honorees: City of Santa Monica - Water Resources Division, Kiewit, ARCADIS, PERC Water
WEF Project Excellence Award
City of Santa Monica Sustainable Water Infrastructure Project (SWIP)
Honorees: City of Santa Monica - Water Resources Division, Kiewit, ARCADIS, PERC Water
WEF Project Excellence Award
City of Santa Monica Sustainable Water Infrastructure Project (SWIP)
Honorees: City of Santa Monica - Water Resources Division, Kiewit, ARCADIS, PERC Water
WEF Project Excellence Award
City of Santa Monica Sustainable Water Infrastructure Project (SWIP)
Honorees: City of Santa Monica - Water Resources Division, Kiewit, ARCADIS, PERC Water
WEF Project Excellence Award
SacSewer (Sacramento, CA) Echo Water Project
Honorees: SacSewer, Brown & Caldwell/HDR Joint Venture, Dragados USA, Inc.
WEF Project Excellence Award
SacSewer (Sacramento, CA) Echo Water Project
Honorees: SacSewer, Brown & Caldwell/HDR Joint Venture, Dragados USA, Inc.
WEF Project Excellence Award
SacSewer (Sacramento, CA) Echo Water Project
Honorees: SacSewer, Brown & Caldwell/HDR Joint Venture, Dragados USA, Inc.
