2018 SWMOA Awards Presented During Annual Symposium On June 26, 2018

The 2018 SWMOA Annual Symposium held in Riverside, CA; the Awards Luncheon and SWMOA Membership Meeting took place on Tuesday, June 26, 2018. During the Luncheon Awards Ceremony and SWMOA Members Meeting, the following awards were presented:

Outstanding Membrane Plant Award:
San Elijo Water Reclamation Plant in Cardiff by the Sea, CA, was presented with this year's Outstanding Membrane Plant Award. The award recognizes an outstanding water/wastewater facility that uses any membrane technology with high efficiency in an environmentally friendly approach. The award is inscribed: "in recognition of outstanding plant operations & maintenance and exemplary membrane treatment plant performance."

Outstanding Plant Operator Award:
Tyson Neely, of Orange County Water District, was presented with this year’s Outstanding Plant Operator Award. The award recognizes outstanding contributions by a plant operator working at a membrane filtration, desalination or water reuse facility that resulted in significant, long-term improvement in water production and/or water reuse. The award is inscribed "in recognition of outstanding service and dedication to membrane operations and for leadership within the industry."

First Runner Up, Best Tasting Membrane Water In The Southwest Region:
Irvine Ranch Water District's Baker Water Treatment Plant received the First Runner Up Best Tasting Membrane Water in the Southwest Region Award following the Best Tasting Membrane Water Competition held during the Annual Symposium.

Best Tasting Membrane Water In The Southwest Region:
Irvine Ranch Water District's Irvine Desalter-Potable Treatment Plant was presented with this year's Best Tasting Membrane Water in the Southwest Region Award. The award recognizes the winner of the Best Tasting Membrane Water Competition held during the Annual Symposium.

Vendor Appreciation:
PWT was presented with the Vendor Appreciation Award in recognition of continuous support to the growth and development of the Southwest Membrane Operator Association.

SWMOA Distinguished Service Awards:These awards are presented to acknowledge Outgoing Board Members who have made significant contributions to furthering the mission of SWMOA. The recipients were:

David Smith, Olivenhain Municipal Water District, received the award in recognition of his service as a member of the SWMOA Board of Directors from 2012 to 2018 and for serving as the Treasurer from 2014 to 2018, and as Chair of the Legislative Committee from 2013 to 2018.

Troy Walker, Hazen and Sawyer, received the award in recognition of his participation as a Member of the Board of Directors of SWMOA from 2015 to 2018 and for serving as the President of the Board of Directors of SWMOA from 2016 to 2017. Troy also served as the Chair of the Operator Certification Committee since 2015 and the Chair of the Bylaws & Policy Committee from 2016 to 2017.

SWMOA Presidential Awards:These awards are presented at the discretion of the President of SWMOA to acknowledge individuals and companies who have made significant contributions to furthering the mission of SWMOA.

Wayne Wright, Technology Transfer Committee Chair, received the award in recognition of Wayne's dedication and commitment to SWMOA, and acknowledging the many hours he has spent on the development and implementation of the Workshops and Symposiums for SWMOA as the Chair of the Technology Transfer Committee.

Hazen and Sawyer, received the award in recognition of continuous support to the growth and development of the SWMOA Operator Certification Program.

About Southwest Membrane Operators Association (SWMOA)
Southwest Membrane Operators Association (SWMOA) is an affiliate of the American Membrane Technology Association dedicated to the Southwest United States region including, but not limited to, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah.

SWMOA's mission is to enhance the professional development of the membrane operator and the municipal and industrial applications they support in the Southwest USA.

SWMOA recognizes that as membrane technology advances and becomes increasingly complex, the membrane operator must keep pace. The Association provides an avenue for training and exchange of technical information to prepare the membrane operator for this challenging environment. This is accomplished through symposiums, technical workshops, operator certification and outreach to students interested in the field of water treatment and technology.