The California Water Environment Association (CWEA) proudly recognizes outstanding organizations and individuals for their exceptional contributions to protecting California’s water resources. The 97th Annual CWEA Awards Ceremony, held on April 9, 2026, in Sacramento, Calif., celebrated the California wastewater award recipients, champions of innovation, leadership, and service selected through a rigorous peer-review process.
For nearly a century, the CWEA Awards program has set the standard for excellence in California’s water sector, honoring leaders in engineering, wastewater operations, collection systems, laboratory sciences, pretreatment, public outreach, and safety. Award recipients are judged by their peers, ensuring that only the most deserving professionals and agencies are recognized for advancing water quality, environmental protection, and workforce excellence.
“Honoring and celebrating the professionals and organizations that strengthen our industry is central to the CWEA community,” said Kathryn Gies, 2025-2026 President of CWEA and Engineering Manager at West Yost Associates. “Their dedication, leadership, and innovation show that greatness grows where passion meets purpose, and they inspire all of us to lead from wherever we are.”
For more information about the CWEA Awards program, visit awards.cwea.org.
Large (Over 500 Miles)
City of San Diego – Public Utilities Department
Medium (250-500 Miles)
Oro Loma Sanitary District
Small (0-249 Miles)
Carpinteria Sanitary District
Large (Over 20 MGD)
Monterey One Water
Medium (5-20 MGD)
Central Marin Sanitation Agency
Small (Under 5 MGD)
City of Pacifica – Calera Creek Water Recycling Plant
Tertiary Treatment
Victor Valley Wastewater – Hesperia Subregional Reclamation Plant
Plant Safety Small (1-25 Employees)
South County Regional Wastewater Authority (Jacobs)
Dr. David Jenkins Research Achievement
Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts
Pilot-Scale Evaluation of Anoxic Aerobic MBR Partial Denitrification/Anammox
Engineering Achievement
Sunnyvale Water Pollution Control Facility
Headworks and Primary Treatment Project
Program of the Year, Large
Wastewater Treatment Agencies of Marin County (Central Marin Sanitation Agency, the Novato Sanitary District, Las Galinas Valley Sanitary District, Sewerage Agency of Southern Marin, Sanitary District Number 5, and Sausalito Marin City Sanitary District)
Program of the Year, Medium
Selma-Kingsburg-Fowler County Sanitation District
Program of the Year, Small
Leucadia Wastewater District, San Elijo Joint Powers Authority, Olivenhain Municipal Water District
Water Career Day 2025
Photography Award
Ross Valley Sanitary District
Touch-A-Truck Event
Film Festival – Public Education – Semi-Pro
Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District
Film Festival – Public Education – Professional
Union Sanitary District
Film Festival – Training – Amateur
Sandy Li, Vallejo Flood and Wastewater District
Collection System Person of the Year
Dominick Gardiner, Ironhouse Sanitary District
Operator of the Year
Miguel Mendoza, Victor Valley Wastewater
Mechanical Technician of the Year
Frederick Parr, City of Camarillo
Electrical Instrumentation Person of the Year
Fernando Velasco, Moulton Niguel Water District
Laboratory Person of the Year
Twan Nguyen, Inland Empire Utilities Agency
P3S Person of the Year
Jason Yun, Delta Diablo
Community Engagement & Outreach Person of the Year
Mary Jo Ramey, Central Marin Sanitation Agency
Supervisor of the Year
George Munoz, City of Fontana
Outstanding Young Professional of the Year
Nikki Ong, Carollo Engineers
Richard D. Pomeroy Award
Sergio Ramirez, West Bay Sanitary District
The Crystal Crucible winners, Gaylen Fair, City of Santa Barbara – selected by the CWEA Laboratory Committee.
Photo Contest winners for their Power of Community themed photos.
The CWEA Quarter Century Recognition Program celebrates water professionals who have dedicated their careers to improving quality of life and protecting the environment. These honorees have committed more than 25 years to one of the most vital and challenging fields—the water environment sector. As a result, their dedication has played a crucial role in safeguarding our water resources and ensuring a sustainable future.
Additionally, this distinguished group represents a wide range of essential roles, including operators, collection system and maintenance personnel, laboratory and environmental compliance specialists, engineers, and administrators.
Richard Hyle – San Bernardino MWD
Mock Maintenance Hole for WDR Compliance SSS Training
Carlos Napoles – City of Beaumont
Vacuum Tube Light
Richard Hyle – San Bernardino Municipal Water Department
Trailer Hitch Mounted Swedge Machine
Michael Mensing – City of Oceanside
Handy Helper Stand Maker
Jose Garcia – Aptim Federal Services
Leak Detection Sensor Cage
Collin Phenicie – Sonoma County Water Agency
Dissolved Oxygen Sensor Centering Buoy Mount
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