INLAND EMPIRE, CA – Recently, the Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA/Agency) was recognized by the California Water Environment Association (CWEA) Santa Ana River Basin Section (SARBS) at their Annual Awards Banquet. The Agency was celebrated as a winner in multiple categories underscoring staff’s commitment to innovation, safety, and developing solutions to support regional operations.
“As a public agency, IEUA is committed to staying in the forefront of the industry through education, innovation, efficiency, and creativity in order to protect the resources of the communities we serve,” stated IEUA Board President Marco Tule. “CWEA is a leader in the advancement of public health and environmental initiatives; at IEUA, we greatly appreciate the educational and collaborative opportunities provided by CWEA and our local chapter, SARBS. I am consistently impressed with IEUA staff’s efforts in serving our community. Our staff are not only distinguished by their consistency and dedication, but by their ability to align with the Agency’s values of applying environmentally sustainable principles to all aspects of organizational conduct.”
CWEA is committed to empowering, educating, and connecting water professionals to protect public health and the environment. SARBS, a local selection of CWEA, provides convenient and accessible opportunities for fellow wastewater professionals to engage on a local level through meetings and trainings. SARBS recognized IEUA employees and teams with the following awards:
Laboratory Person of the Year – Gold Award was presented to Laboratory Scientist II Supriti Shrestha. The award recognizes involvement in projects that advance the science of laboratory technology and an individual’s contributions to CWEA.
Operator of the Year – Gold Award was presented to Senior Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Jose Mendez. The award recognizes outstanding contributions to the operations of wastewater treatment facilities and the application of knowledge to improve plant processes.
Collection System Person of the Year – Gold Award was presented to Collection System Operator III Edward Chavez. The award recognizes an individual for their innovation and excellence in collection systems maintenance.
Safety Plant of the Year (Medium) – Gold Award was presented to the Agency’s Regional Water Recycling Plant No. 1. The Plant Safety award is awarded in three categories: small, medium, and large. Criteria include number of injuries, lost-time accidents, record keeping, in-house training, emergency response, and program implementation.
Collection System of the Year (Small) – Silver Award was presented to Collections staff in recognition of outstanding maintenance programs, regulatory compliance, and safety & training procedures. Like the Plant Safety award, awards are also given in three categories: small, medium, and large.
“The Agency will continue to prioritize safety and efficiency in our continuous efforts to secure a high-quality, resilient water supply for the region,” continued Tule. “Receipt of these awards are a true representation of the exceptional work, commitment, and leadership shown each day by staff to adhere to our vision and values, and we are honored to be recognized by SARBS for our efforts.”