Awards
Every year the IWEA and the Water Environment Federation has a slate of honors and awards which are presented to deserving members, supporters, and facilities. Use the links below to learn more about the various awards and their past recipients. Please contact Jeffrey Kowar, Awards Committee Chair, with any questions.Member Association Awards:
These awards, listed below, are presented at the Illinois Water Environment Association Annual Meeting each year. See below for information regarding award criteria, nomination forms, and past recipients.
- WEF Arthur Sidney Bedell Award
Congratulations to Ryan Christopher, our 2026 award winner.
This award acknowledges extraordinary personal service to a Member Association.
Criteria for Nomination: Any WEF Member
Nomination Form
Bedell Recipients - IWEA Paul Clinebell Outstanding Service Award
Congratulations to Dan Bounds, our 2026 award winner.
This prestigious award recognizes an individual who has made significant contributions to IWEA over the course of their membership.
Criteria for nomination: Current primary member of IWEA, Member for a minimum of twenty years
Nomination Form
Clinebell Award Recipients - Golden Manhole
Congratulations to Chris Skehan, our 2026 award winner.
This award honors significant contributions to professionalism and excellence in collection systems and long-term service to IWEA.
Golden Manhole Award Recipients - WEF William Hatfield Award
Congratulations to Richard Campbell, our 2026 award winner.
This award recognizes outstanding performance and professionalism by a wastewater treatment plant operator.
Criteria: WEF member employed by a municipal or industrial facility
Nomination Form
Hatfield Award Recipients - WEF Laboratory Excellence Award
Congratulations to Trevor Warczak, our 2026 award winner.
This award recognizes outstanding performance and contributions to water quality analysis.
Criteria: WEF member employed by a municipal or industrial facility
Nomination Form
Laboratory Award Recipients - Kenneth C. Merideth Award
Congratulations to Lisa Perry, our 2026 award winner.
Recognizes individuals who elevate operator professionalism beyond normal duties.
Nomination Form
Merideth Award Recipients - Outstanding Young Professional
Congratulations to Vedansh Gupta, our 2026 award winner.
Recognizes young professionals contributing to IWEA and the advancement of the water industry.
Criteria: IWEA member, Age 35 or younger
Nomination Form
Recipients - Public Official Award
Congratulations to U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth, our 2026 award winner.
Recognizes public officials who have significantly improved the water environment through policy or service.
Nomination Form
Recipients
- Technical Presentation Award
Congratulations to Persephone Ma, our 2026 award winner.
Recognizes outstanding presentations at the IWEA Annual Conference.
Recipients - George W. Burke Safety Award
Congratulations to Bloomington-Normal Water Reclamation District, our 2026 award winner.
This award promotes active safety programs and recognizes innovative approaches to injury prevention.
Nomination Form
Recipients
Other Awards
- Federation Level Awards:
Presented annually at WEFTEC. Find descriptions and nomination forms below.
WEF Awards & IWEA Recipients - Quarter Century Operators Club:
Recognizes 25 years of service in the wastewater industry.
Nomination Form
Members - Illinois Select Society of Sanitary Sludge Shovelers (I5S):
From High Atop Mt. Biosolids
Celebrating outstanding, meritorious service to IWEA.
I5S Members
