Tag Archive for: CWEA

L to R: Keith Hobson Vice President, Water Environment Federation (WEF), FOX Strand; Ruby Dela Cruz; and Chuck Greely, CWEA past president, Dudek. Photo: CWEA awards

Water Professionals Honored at 95th CWEA Awards

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Ruby Dela Cruz from the City of San Diego and Raul Villalpando from the City of Escondido were two of eight individuals honored at the 95th Annual California Water Environment Association (CWEA) Awards. 

Both have served their city for the past 23 years, and their awards recognize their contributions to enhancing California’s water environment. 

Ruby Dela Cruz Named Electrical Instrument Person of the Year

Dela Cruz received the “Electrical Instrumentation Person of the Year” award, celebrating her achievements as the city’s Instrumentation and Control Supervisor.  

Dela Cruz is responsible for supervising, training, and participating in the maintenance of the control systems and instrumentation of the North City Pure Water Facility, Pure Water Pump Station, and Dechlorination Facility. 

As a supervisor, she appreciates being challenged in her role while simultaneously passing on her expertise to others. 

“I enjoy troubleshooting electrical and electronic circuits because it sharpens my analytical thinking,” said Dela Cruz. “[And] I like imparting my knowledge and sharing my technical experience to my subordinates to help them achieve their aspirations and goals in their career.” 

Yet, after over two decades of working for the City of San Diego, she acknowledges the people are what make the job. 

“Everyone is treated as family,” said Dela Cruz. “Just like a family, nobody is perfect, but everyone is there for you when you need them. My superiors never fail to acknowledge my accomplishments and contributions to the group.” 

Raul Villalpando Named Operator of the Year

City of Escondido winner Raul Villalpondo (center) with (L to R) Keith Hobson, Vice President, Water Environment Federation (WEF), FOX Strand; Victor Corrales, City of Escondido; Wastewater Operations Manager; Villalpondo; Kyle Morgan, City of Escondido Assistant Director of Utilities Wastewater; and Chuck Greely, CWEA past president, Dudek. Photo: CWEA awards

City of Escondido winner Raul Villalpondo (center) with (L to R) Keith Hobson, Vice President, Water Environment Federation (WEF), FOX Strand; Victor Corrales, City of Escondido; Wastewater Operations Manager; Villalpondo; Kyle Morgan, City of Escondido Assistant Director of Utilities Wastewater; and Chuck Greely, CWEA past president, Dudek. Photo: CWEA

Similar to Dela Cruz, Raul Villalpando values the opportunity to pass along his knowledge and expertise to his newer colleagues. This attribute led his supervisors to push for his “Operator of the Year” award. 

“He’s really been the main guy that’s been kind of passing along his knowledge, not just of wastewater, but of the plant itself,” said Victor Corrales, wastewater operations manager for the City of Escondido. “He’s setting an example to those newer operators of the value of staying at a place, watching and helping it grow.” 

As a senior wastewater operator, Villalpando is one of four lead operators in charge of overseeing the City of Escondido’s wastewater plant. Every day, he works alongside electricians, mechanics, and other plant operators to ensure business runs smoothly. While he wears many hats around the plant, he considers this award a group effort. 

“This award that I was lucky enough to win as an individual is for everyone on this team,” said Villalpando. “I oversee all those people, but those people worked hand-in-hand with me to win that. To be able to find a good core group of people to work with is the hardest and best thing to find, and I’m lucky to say I’ve found that.” 

CWEA Awards Recognize Exemplary Efforts

Founded in 1927, the CWEA is a not-for-profit association of 9,000-plus professionals in the wastewater industry. The association trains and certifies wastewater professionals, disseminates technical information and promotes sound policies to benefit society through protection and enhancement of the water environment.  

For the past 95 years, the CWEA awards program has honored exemplary efforts of individuals and agencies throughout the state who are leaders in engineering, wastewater operations, collection systems, laboratory work, and pretreatment programs.  

For more information about the California Water Environment Awards, visit awards.cwea.org 

 

(L to R) Chuck Greely, CWEA president; Dan Denham, Water Authority General Manager; Mel Katz, Water Authority Board of Directors chairman; and Sue Mosburg, executive director of CA-NV-AWWA, with the Advanced Water Treatment Champion award at the November Board of Directors meeting. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority leadership in training

Water Authority Recognized For Leadership In Training Industry Professionals

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The California Water Environment Association (CWEA) and the California-Nevada Section of the American Water Works Association (CA-NV AWWA) recognized the San Diego County Water Authority’s leadership and support of setting training standards and establishing training programs for water and wastewater industry professionals.

Chuck Greely, president of CWEA, and Sue Mosburg, executive director of CA-NV-AWWA, presented the Advanced Water Treatment Champion award at the November Board of Directors meeting.

“Your involvement from the very beginning of the Advanced Water Treatment Operator Certification program has allowed CWAA and California-Nevada AWWA to train and certify hundreds of California’s best operators, ensuring they have the knowledge and skills to produce the cleanest water possible,” said Greely.

“Thank you for what you’ve done in California. Thank you for bringing the water operator professional to the next level,” added Mosburg.

To date, 60 water industry professionals have completed the AWTO training and received certification.

Training Opens Career Opportunities In Water Reuse Field

The Advanced Water Treatment Champion award presented to the San Diego County Water Authority for its leadership in developing the Advanced Water Treatment Operator training certificate. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority leadership in training

The Advanced Water Treatment Champion award presented to the San Diego County Water Authority for its leadership in developing the Advanced Water Treatment Operator training certificate. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority

Prompted by calls in 2014 from water utilities, water professionals and the California State Water Board, a diverse set of stakeholders and experts including the Water Authority contributed their perspectives on the development of the certification. They were supported by CWEA and CA-NV AWWA staff and experts in exam development. Observers from the California State Water Board participated throughout.

Over 100 volunteers from CA-NV AWWA and CWEA were involved in planning, subject matter expert workshops, exam development, marketing and administering the new program. After four years, the Advanced Water Treatment Operator™ (AWTO®) certification was launched in 2020.

The Future of Water is Now

AWTO certification allows water and wastewater operators to demonstrate their advanced knowledge and qualify for new career opportunities at high-tech water reuse facilities. As California and Nevada expand water reuse, AWT operators are expected to be in high demand. There are currently 11 advanced water treatment facilities permitted and operating in California. Seven more are currently awaiting approval in the State of California’s permitting process.

Water and wastewater operators can get ready for these new career opportunities by getting AWTO certified today.

“As more potable reuse facilities start up in San Diego and across the state, this is a watershed moment in California history. We are securing water supplies for generations to come,” said Greely.

“We are well into the next decade of water and wastewater operations, and everyone in our industry plays an important role leading the way toward sustainability,” said Mosburg. “We are building the future now. We need this new supply and a new way of thinking about water before the next drought hits.”

Olivenhain Municipal Water District 4S Ranch Water Reclamation Facility is California’s Plant of the Year

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Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s 4S Ranch Water Reclamation Facility is the California Water Environment Association statewide 2022 Plant of the Year. The award was presented April 19 at CWEA’s Annual Conference in San Diego. The award acknowledges the facility’s accomplishments to increase water supply reliability by reducing imported water demand and plant operations.

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4S Ranch Water Reclamation Facility-CWEA 2022 Plant of the Year

Olivenhain Municipal Water District 4S Ranch Water Reclamation Facility Is California’s Plant of the Year

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Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s 4S Ranch Water Reclamation Facility is the California Water Environment Association statewide 2022 Plant of the Year. The award was presented April 19 at CWEA’s Annual Conference in San Diego.

The award acknowledges the facility’s accomplishments to increase water supply reliability by reducing imported water demand and plant operations. In addition to the honors as California’s plant of the year, the facility received the same designation at the local level earlier this year from CWEA’s San Diego Section.

“OMWD is honored to be selected as the Plant of the Year by CWEA in the statewide competition,” said Board President Christy Guerin. “The 4S Ranch Water Reclamation Facility is celebrating its 20-year anniversary this year, and this award recognizes the plant’s long-standing contribution to the communities we serve by producing a drought-resilient, sustainable water supply.”

Water recycling and 4S Ranch

The water district serves up to 15% of its overall demand from recycled water treated through its 4S Ranch facility and agreements with neighboring recycled water providers. As California’s water supply becomes more affected by unpredictable swings in weather, so does the need for innovative and diversified approaches to help reduce demand for valuable drinking water supply.

OMWD provides and distributes recycled water for non-potable uses in portions of its service area for landscape irrigation at schools, parks, golf courses, streetscapes, and homeowner association common areas.

CWEA-4S Ranch-2022 Statewide Plant of the Year-Olivenhain

OMWD serves up to 15% of its overall demand from recycled water treated through its 4S Ranch facility and agreements with neighboring recycled water providers. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District

CWEA’s award program recognizes professional achievements within the wastewater industry and stimulates public awareness of the importance of wastewater treatment to public health and the environment. 4S WRF operators maintain over 85 miles of sewer collection system pipelines, lift stations, a 410-acre-foot storage pond, and a one-million-gallon reservoir to provide wastewater and recycled water services.

Founded in 1927, the California Water Environment Association is a not-for-profit association of 9,000-plus professionals in the wastewater industry. The association trains and certifies wastewater professionals, disseminates technical information, and promotes sound policies to benefit society through the protection and enhancement of our water environment.

(Editor’s note: The Olivenhain Municipal Water District is one of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies that deliver water across the San Diego County region.) 

Olivenhain Municipal Water District Logo landscape design workshops

Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s 4S Ranch Water Reclamation Facility is California’s Plant of the Year

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Encinitas, Calif. — Today, Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s 4S Ranch Water Reclamation Facility was awarded California Water Environment Association’s statewide 2022 Plant of the Year Award at CWEA’s Annual Conference in San Diego. The award acknowledges the facility’s accomplishments to increase water supply reliability by reducing imported water demand and plant operations. In addition to the honors as California’s plant of the year, the facility received the same designation at the local level earlier this year from CWEA’s San Diego Section.

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Center for Water Studies alumni Kyle Swanson represents the Padre Dam Municipal Water District as a Board member of the San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors, and is General Manager of the Padre Dam Municipal Water District. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority Open House

Welcome to the Board: Kyle Swanson, Padre Dam Municipal Water District

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(Editor’s Note: This feature highlights new members of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 36-member Board of Directors. Each of the Water Authority’s 24 member agencies appoints at least one representative to the Board, which sets policy for the Water Authority.)

Welcome to the Board: Kyle Swanson, Padre Dam Municipal Water District

Who: Kyle Swanson was seated on the San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors on January 11, 2023, representing the Padre Dam Municipal Water District. Swanson serves on the Administrative and Finance, Legislation and Public Outreach and Water Conservation Garden JPA committees for the Water Authority.

Background/Education: Swanson, a native of San Diego, earned a bachelor’s degree in geography from San Diego State University. He is the CEO/General Manager of the Padre Dam Municipal Water District and previously served as Executive Director of the East County Advanced Water Purification Project. He holds a Grade 5 Water Distribution Operator Certification and a Grade 2 Water Treatment Operator Certification, both from the State Water Resources Control Board. Swanson is also a Certified Public Manager and a Certified Special District Manager, SDLF.

Water Industry Affiliations:
WateReuse California, Member Board of Trustees; American Water Works Association (AWWA); California Water Environment Association (CWEA); Association California Water Agencies (ACWA); and California Special Districts Association (CSDA).

Q & A

Q: How did you get interested in water issues?

A: As a San Diego Native my interest in water started at a young age.  I was fortunate to have a family actively involved in the construction of large civil water treatment and conveyance infrastructure in the southwest.  My father would routinely take me to projects providing an early respect for the facilities required to deliver safe and reliable water to our taps.  My education and career followed with a water interest studying and working in hydrology and later with public water utilities.  Water is both powerful and transformational; the issues relating are also equally so.

Q: What are your priorities or interests as a Board member?

A: Ensuring future generations benefit from our efforts towards water resiliency, development of local water supplies and the continual investment in a robust water system.

Q: Besides maintaining safe and reliable water supplies, what do you see as the top three issues facing the San Diego region?

A: Cost of Living, Resource Stewardship, Societal Collaboration

Q: What do you like to do when you are not working?

A: I’m an avid outdoor enthusiast.  I enjoy camping with my family, exploring the natural beauty, riding mountain bikes and restoring cars.  San Diego offers the perfect playground.  We all need to take more time to pause our days and enjoy those around us and the environment we live in.

The Water Authority’s Board of Directors typically meets on the fourth Thursday of each month. The Board invites the public to attend its monthly meetings and to comment on agenda items or other matters before the Board. For meeting times, agendas and documents, go to​ www.sdcwa.org/board-directors

4S Ranch Water Reclamation Facility-CWEA 2022 Plant of the Year

4S Ranch Water Reclamation Facility Honored as California’s Plant of the Year

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The Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s 4S Ranch Water Reclamation Facility was named 2022 Plant of the Year by the California Water Environment Association.

At its March 15 meeting, the Olivenhain Municipal Water District Board of Directors accepted the award as the CWEA San Diego section’s 2022 Plant of the Year. The Plant of the Year award acknowledges OMWD’s 4S Ranch WRF accomplishments in regulatory compliance, innovative practices, cost-effectiveness, and superior plant operations.

Expanding the use of recycled water

“OMWD is dedicated to providing recycled water and wastewater treatment in a fiscally responsible and environmentally responsive method,” said Board Vice President Matthew Hahn. “Our board is proud to have our recycled water facility recognized at the state level as a first-class treatment plant that meets or exceeds all regulatory standards and demonstrates industry best management practices.”

4S Ranch Water Reclamation Facility

OMWD has spent the last several years expanding the use of recycled water within its service area and raising public awareness of the importance of treating wastewater to be reused for non-potable uses like landscape irrigation. The 4S Ranch Water Reclamation Facility can produce up to two million gallons of high-quality recycled water each day, reducing the use of drinking water for the irrigation of golf courses, parks, schools, streetscapes, and homeowner association common areas.

Proactive maintenance saves customers money

CWEA’s award program recognizes proactive maintenance as a priority, as it helps to avoid costly emergency repairs and ensures continued wastewater and recycled water services for customers. 4S WRF operators maintain over 85 miles of sewer collection system pipelines, lift stations, a 410-acre-foot storage pond, and a one-million-gallon reservoir to provide wastewater and recycled water services.

Founded in 1927, the California Water Environment Association is a not-for-profit association of 9,000-plus professionals in the wastewater industry. The association trains and certifies wastewater professionals, disseminates technical information, and promotes sound policies to benefit society through protection and enhancement of our water environment.

Olivenhain Municipal Water District is a public agency providing water, wastewater services, recycled water, hydroelectricity, and operation of Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve. Organized in 1959, OMWD currently serves approximately 87,000 customers over 48 square miles in northern San Diego County.

(Editor’s note: The Olivenhain Municipal Water District is one of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies that deliver water across the San Diego County region.) 

4S Ranch Water Reclamation Facility Honored as California’s Plant of the Year

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The Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s 4S Ranch Water Reclamation Facility was named 2022 Plant of the Year by the California Water Environment Association.

At its March 15 meeting, the Olivenhain Municipal Water District Board of Directors accepted the award as the CWEA San Diego section’s 2022 Plant of the Year. The Plant of the Year award acknowledges OMWD’s 4S Ranch WRF accomplishments in regulatory compliance, innovative practices, cost-effectiveness, and superior plant operations.

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Faces of the Water Industry: Work for Water

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Water and wastewater professionals across San Diego County are highlighted in October during the San Diego County Water Authority’s “Faces of the Water Industry” campaign. Each year, the Water Authority collaborates with its member agencies to showcase regional water industry employees and career opportunities through a series of social media posts and videos.

Since 2017, the Water Authority’s annual campaigns have highlighted nearly 200 employees in San Diego County across multiple water agencies and job types. The 2022 campaign started October 1, coinciding with California’s Water Professionals Appreciation Week (October 1-9).

Faces of the Water Industry

The 2022 Faces of the Water Industry campaign features stories from 18 San Diego County water industry professionals in a series of social media posts and videos. Follow the Water Authority on Instagram (@sdcwa) to read more inspiring stories from the region’s water and wastewater pros – the Faces of the Water Industry.

California Virtual Water Career Fairs

The water and wastewater industry offers vast opportunities in engineering, operations, finance, public affairs, human resources, administration and information technology. New and current water professionals can learn more about the industry in an upcoming series of free virtual career fairs hosted by various agencies in October.

For more job openings, internships and education opportunities across the San Diego region’s water and wastewater industry, go to sandiegowaterworks.org.

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Multiple Water and Wastewater Industry Awards Won by City of Escondido

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The City of Escondido scored wins in three categories at the annual California Water Environment Association awards on January 29. CWEA is California’s oldest and most prominent association of water protection professionals.

Hale Avenue Facility Named San Diego Section Wastewater Plant of the Year

The City of Escondido’s Hale Avenue Resource Recovery Facility, HARRF won the 2022 Wastewater Plant of the Year Photo: City of Escondido wastewater industry awards

The City of Escondido’s Hale Avenue Resource Recovery Facility, or HARRF, won the 2022 Wastewater Plant of the Year Photo: City of Escondido

The City of Escondido’s Hale Avenue Resource Recovery Facility (HARRF) won the 2022 Wastewater Plant of the Year (Medium Category). The HARRF is designed to treat up to 18 million gallons per day from the City of Escondido and the Rancho Bernardo area of the City of San Diego. The plant operates 24 hours a day, producing recycled water for the City of Escondido, along with organic materials called biosolids for beneficial reuse in Yuma, Arizona as agricultural soil amendments.

Professional staff make use of technology to manage plant operations with real-time information. A significant outcome is the consistent production of high-quality effluent, which allows the HARRF to drastically reduce chemical use in producing recycled water.

The City of Escondido wastewater department continually strives for the most cost-effective and process-minded maintenance program to minimize emergency calls or system failures. Over the past five years, the maintenance department has seen a reduction in emergency callouts by 75% by implementing an aggressive preventative maintenance and testing program.

Collection System of the Year Award

Escondido also won recognition for Collection System of the Year (Medium Category). The City of Escondido has 380 miles of collection system pipelines, dating back to 1928. As the system ages, aggressive maintenance, rehabilitation, and replacement are imperative. The 16-person team cleans all 380 miles in the system annually. Older lines at risk of failing get priority replacement.

Where acceptable, crews rehabilitate lines with liners as a relatively inexpensive alternative to digging trenches for complete replacement. The liners have a 25- to 30-year lifespan. In 2021, 1,112 linear feet of pipeline were relined. Open trench replacement work was performed on 450 feet of pipeline.

Jorge Huitron Honored as Laboratory Analyst of the Year

Jorge Huitron (second from right) receives his award as Laboratory Person of the Year. Photo: City of Escondido wastewater industry awards

Jorge Huitron (second from right) receives his award as Lab Analyst of the Year. Photo: City of Escondido

Escondido Lab Technician II Jorge Hutiron’s outstanding work won recognition with the Lab Analyst of the Year award.

Huitron conducts complex water and wastewater analyses, from bench chemistry to bacteriological assessments, sample setup, data entry, and clean-up. His work assures all water supplies are safe for users.

Huitron trains both new and seasoned Escondido employees based on four decades of experience. Colleagues comment they learn something new from Huitron, even those with years of experience.

“Incredible asset”

“Jorge has been an incredible asset,” said Ralph Ginese, Supervising  Chemist, who nominated Huitron. “There really isn’t anything Jorge does not do. We are thankful to have him working with us.” Ginese said the 66-year-old veteran professional did his work so quietly over the years, it took the coronavirus pandemic to call attention to his effort, expertise, and value as a team player.

The nomination also cites Huitron’s ability to keep morale high during the pandemic through his leadership, teamwork, training, sharing, and empathy, along with ongoing consistency and reliability. “Jorge has a gleam in his eye, pride as he watches his colleagues learn from his experiences,” wrote Ginese in his nomination. “Laughter and smiles cross everyone’s face as he shares his stories of failures and success. Up until last year, this part of Jorge has been hidden. He now encompasses every attribute of what it means to be Laboratory Person of the Year.”

Each of the 20 CWEA award categories honors exceptional CWEA members and California wastewater professionals, facilities, and agencies. The program seeks to recognize outstanding achievements within the wastewater field, improve the professional status of all personnel working in the wastewater industry and related fields and stimulate public awareness of the importance of wastewater treatment to public health and the water environment.

(Editor’s note: The City of Escondido is one of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies that deliver water across the metropolitan San Diego region.)