The Excellence in Equity Award recognizes organizational members’ significant success in advancing equity through their work with diverse populations. This may include practices or programs geared towards equitably serving BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) communities, people with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ persons, veterans, low-to-moderate-income households, etc.

Awardees:

• • 2025 – City of Surprise, AZ
  • 2024 – Colorado Springs Utilities
  • 2023 – Tucson Water

The Innovation Award recognizes technological advances, research breakthroughs, and innovative practices of a current member organization that champions the adoption, implementation, or public acceptance of water efficiency and sustainability.

Awardees

• 2025
  • Business: Cavanaugh & Associates
  • Utility: Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District
• 2024
  • Business: Yoppify
• 2023
  • Business: Flume
  • Utility: San Diego County Water Authority

The Member of the Year Award recognizes organizational members of the Alliance for Water Efficiency as leaders in the water efficiency and conservation community. An organizational member who has demonstrated consistent commitment to and support of AWE and its mission to promote the efficient and sustainable use of water.

Awardees:

• 2025
  • Affiliate: Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District
  • Business & Industry: Kohler Co.
  • Utility: City of Westminster, CO
•  2024
  • Affiliate: Colorado Water Conservation Board
  • Business & Industry: LIXIL
  • Utility: East Bay Municipal Utility District
• 2023
  • Affiliate: IAPMO
  • Business & Industry: The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company
  • Utility: Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
• 2022 – Whirlpool Corporation
• 2021 – Southern Nevada Water Authority

The Up and Comer Award recognizes an individual employee of a current AWE organizational member with less than five years of experience in water efficiency, conservation, and sustainability for their leadership and commitment to pursuing water efficiency as a career path.

Awardees

• 2025 – Valeria Galindo, Tucson Water (AZ)
• 2024 – Rachael Belisle-Toler, Ipswich Utilities (MA)
• 2023 – Chris Garcia, Inland Empire Utilities Agency (CA)

The Water Star Award recognizes individual excellence in water efficiency and celebrates a water conservation practitioner who is making a difference through dedication and passion. This individual has made a significant impact in the water efficiency, conservation, and sustainability field. 

Awardees:

• 2025 – Peter Mayer, WaterDM
• 2024 – Deirdre Irwin, St. John’s River Water Management District
• 2023 – Christine Chavez, City of Santa Fe, NM
• 2022 – Kevin Reidy, Colorado Water Conservation Board
• 2021 – Denise Schmidt, Public Service Commission of Wisconsin
• 2020 – Bill Hoffman, H.W. Hoffman & Associates, LLC
• 2019 – Kathy Nguyen, Cobb County Water System
• 2018 – Glen Pleasance, Region of Durham, Ontario, CAN
• 2017 – Carole Baker, Texas Water Foundation
• 2016 – Veronica Blette, U.S. EPA WaterSense® Program
• 2015 – Fiona Sanchez, Irvine Ranch Water District
• 2014 – Amy Vickers, Amy Vickers & Associates, Inc.
• 2013 – Doug Bennett, Southern Nevada Water Authority
• 2012 – Karen Guz, San Antonio Water System
• 2011 – Bill Maddaus, Maddaus Water Management
• 2010 – George Kunkel, Philadelphia Water Department
• 2009 – John Flowers, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

The Volunteer Appreciation Award is given to an employee of a current organizational member who served AWE in an expanded role over the past year, such as a board member, committee chair/co-chair/vice-chair, or volunteer. This person has gone above and beyond to support and serve the organization and advance our mission.

Awardees

• 2025 – Rick Maloy, Strategic Initiatives Manager, Central Utah Water Conservancy District (UT)
• 2024 – Drew Blackwell, Director of Water Efficiency, Cavanaugh (NC)
• 2023 – Jill Greiner,  Water Efficiency Program Coordinator, City of Charlottesville (VA)