During an awards ceremony hosted by the California Water Environment Association (CWEA), Mission Springs Water District took home top State honors for the District’s Protect your Pipes Community Engagement and Outreach Campaign and finished second place for Plant Operations at the Alan L. Horton Wastewater Treatment Facility.
“The most significant outcome of the outreach campaign includes the culture shift inside our organization,” said Government and Public Affairs Manager Marion Champion, who oversaw the campaign. “Employees across the District are helping to spread the word about the problems so-called flushable wipes and fats, oil, and grease pose to the wastewater system. This sentiment can be found at all levels—from our Board of Directors down to our field staff—our entire workforce is helping to spread the word.”
Earlier in the month, during the CWEA regional competition (Colorado River Basin Section), MSWD was awarded:
- Small Plant of the Year for operations at the Alan L. Horton Plant Wastewater Treatment Facility;
- MSWD’s Chief Plant Operator Lee Boyer was named Plant Supervisor of the Year;
- Community Engagement and Outreach Campaign of the Year for the Protect Your Pipes Campaign reminding residents to keep flushable wipes and Fats, Oils, and Grease out of the wastewater system (see campaign video).
“MSWD was the only wastewater provider to win three awards during the regional competition,” added Champion. “This is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our wastewater team.”
Founded in 1928, CWEA unites wastewater professionals throughout the state. Together they address real-time issues, develop and deliver cutting-edge training, raise awareness of the profession, and shape the future of wastewater.
Since 1989, MSWD and its staff have won over 35 Colorado River Basin Section CWEA awards, including nine personal awards and 14 Plant of the Year honors. This is the second time the District took home State honors.
For a complete list of MSWD awards, please visit www.mswd.org/awards.
Photo: Representatives from MSWD attended the CWEA Awards ceremony held in San Diego on April 19, 2023 (Left to Right: Andy Grunnet, Lead Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator; Amber Duff, Director; Russ Martin, Board President; Marion Champion, Government & Public Affairs Manager; Robert Griffith, Director; Brian Macy, Assistant General Manager; and Chief Plant Operator, Lee Boyer).