Akin Babatola

First Place
 Monterey Bay Section

Akin Babatola has served the California wastewater industry for 30 years with passion and commitment to protection of the environment and improving community quality-of-life. His wastewater industry career began in the City of San Jose’s Environmental Services Department in 1992 as Microbiologist, and in 1993 when he was hired as Research Microbiologist for the same
organization. He managed the large microbiological and wastewater process monitoring laboratory at the heart of Silicon Valley there over ten years. In 2002, Akin took a new position as City of Santa Cruz Laboratory/Environmental Compliance Manager, where he continues today leading a municipal program addressing wastewater and storm water pollution programs situated at the Wastewater Treatment Facility. Since 2015, the Lab and the Environmental Compliance program have provided sampling and analyses of anthropogenic compounds including molecular work (DNA and RNA analyses) and trace chemistry (caffeine and fecal sterols) that have been critical in resolving questions.

Purpose

The CWEA Quarter Century Recognition Program recognizes water professionals for their commitment to improving the quality of life and the protection of the environment. CWEA Quarter Century Recognition Program honorees have dedicated their careers in a challenging and most vital profession, the water environment field. These essential professionals who have spent countless hours improving our water environment include: Operators; Collection System, Maintenance, Laboratory, and Environmental Compliance personnel; Engineers; and Administrators.

CWEA Quarter Century honorees will be presented with a certificate recognizing their achievement and a lapel pin they can proudly wear identifying them as members of this elite group of professionals.

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