WEF Awards
SERVICE AND CONTRIBUTION AWARDS
The Water Environment Federation's Service & Contribution Awards recognize the individuals whose dedication, leadership, and professional contributions have advanced the water sector and strengthened the Federation. These awards honor volunteers, practitioners, researchers, public officials, and industry leaders whose commitment to service, innovation, mentorship, and collaboration has created a lasting impact on the profession and the communities it serves. Through these prestigious recognitions, WEF celebrates those who embody excellence, inspire others, and help advance the vision of a life free of water challenges
WEF Fellows Program
The WEF Fellows Program recognizes the professional achievement, stature, and contributions of WEF members to the preservation and enhancement of the global water environment in the practice areas served by WEF.
The 2026 WEF Fellows are:
Award Recipients

Susan Moisio
Collection Systems Award
This award is presented to an individual for contributions to the advancement of state-of-the-art wastewater collection.

Navneet Prasad, P.E.
Emerson Distinguished Service Medal
This award is presented to an individual member of the Water Environment Federation whose significant career contributions to the Federation and the water environment profession merit recognition.

Dr. Zhen (Jason) He
Camp Applied Research Award
This award recognizes a WEF member who demonstrates a unique application of basic research or fundamental principles through the design or development of a wastewater collection or treatment system.

Abhinoor Dhull - Finalist
Outstanding Young Water Environment Professional Award
This award is presented for significant contributions to the Water Environment Federation and to the wastewater collection and treatment sector.

Charles "CJ" Spellman, PhD, P.E. - Finalist
Outstanding Young Water Environment Professional Award
This award is presented for significant contributions to the Water Environment Federation and to the wastewater collection and treatment sector.

Elizabeth Heise, P.E. - Finalist
Outstanding Young Water Environment Professional Award
This award is presented for significant contributions to the Water Environment Federation and to the wastewater collection and treatment sector.

Berrin Tansel, PhD, P.E., BCEE, F.WEF, F.AAAS - Finalist
WEF Mentorship Award
This award acknowledges those WEF members who have had a significant impact on the professional and personal development of one or more water quality professionals, including providing personal, social, and intellectual support.

Mr. William Grandner - Finalist
WEF Mentorship Award
This award acknowledges those WEF members who have had a significant impact on the professional and personal development of one or more water quality professionals, including providing personal, social, and intellectual support.

Jason Watts - Finalist
WEF Mentorship Award
This award acknowledges those WEF members who have had a significant impact on the professional and personal development of one or more water quality professionals, including providing personal, social, and intellectual support.

Myra C. Reece
South Carolina Department of Environmental Services, Director
Public Officials Award
This award is presented to an elected or appointed public official that has made a documented, significant contribution in the areas of clean water legislation, public policy, government service, or another area of public prominence that resulted in improvements to the water environment.

Kari K. Steele
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago Board of Commissioners, President
Public Officials Award
This award is presented to an elected or appointed public official that has made a documented, significant contribution in the areas of clean water legislation, public policy, government service, or another area of public prominence that resulted in improvements to the water environment.

Metro Water Recovery, Hazen and Sawyer, Brown and Caldwell, Stantec, CDM Smith, NewHub Water Corporation, University of Kansas
Morgan Operational Solutions Award
This award recognizes valuable contributions to the in-facility study and solution of operational problems.

Debra L. Leigh
MARC Individual Distinguished Service Award
Recognizes an outstanding member of the Manufacturers and Representative Community whose leadership, volunteerism, and commitment to innovation have advanced the water profession and strengthened the Water Environment Federation.

Richard Yarbrough
Water for People - Robert W. Hite Distinguished Leadership Award
Recognizes an individual or couple who demonstrates exceptional leadership, innovation, and commitment to Water For People's mission of improving lives through sustainable access to safe water and sanitation. Named in honor of Robert W. Hite, the award celebrates those who inspire others through service and lasting impact.

Brian Arntsen
W. Wesley Eckenfelder Industrial Water Quality Lifetime Achievement Award
The W. Wesley Eckenfelder Industrial Water Quality Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes and honors an individual who has made substantial and measurable engineering, scientific, and/or operations contributions to the management or treatment of industrial wastes related to the improvement of water quality.

Dr. Richard Speece
W. Wesley Eckenfelder Industrial Water Quality Lifetime Achievement Award
The W. Wesley Eckenfelder Industrial Water Quality Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes and honors an individual who has made substantial and measurable engineering, scientific, and/or operations contributions to the management or treatment of industrial wastes related to the improvement of water quality.

Lilian McIntosh
"Why does low dissolved oxygen favor biological phosphorus removal? Oxygen inhibition of PAOs is an important part of the story"
Best WEFTEC Program Abstract Award
Recognizes an outstanding WEFTEC abstract that exemplifies technical excellence, innovation, and meaningful contribution to the advancement of the water profession.

Charles Bott
"Why does low dissolved oxygen favor biological phosphorus removal? Oxygen inhibition of PAOs is an important part of the story"
Best WEFTEC Program Abstract Award
Recognizes an outstanding WEFTEC abstract that exemplifies technical excellence, innovation, and meaningful contribution to the advancement of the water profession.

Alexandria Gagnon
"Why does low dissolved oxygen favor biological phosphorus removal? Oxygen inhibition of PAOs is an important part of the story"
Best WEFTEC Program Abstract Award
Recognizes an outstanding WEFTEC abstract that exemplifies technical excellence, innovation, and meaningful contribution to the advancement of the water profession.

Stephanie Klaus
"Why does low dissolved oxygen favor biological phosphorus removal? Oxygen inhibition of PAOs is an important part of the story"
Best WEFTEC Program Abstract Award
Recognizes an outstanding WEFTEC abstract that exemplifies technical excellence, innovation, and meaningful contribution to the advancement of the water profession.

Kester McCullough
"Why does low dissolved oxygen favor biological phosphorus removal? Oxygen inhibition of PAOs is an important part of the story"
Best WEFTEC Program Abstract Award
Recognizes an outstanding WEFTEC abstract that exemplifies technical excellence, innovation, and meaningful contribution to the advancement of the water profession.
Volunteer Service Recognitions
The WEF Community Leadership Council (CLC) and House of Delegates (HOD) created the Volunteer Service Recognition to recognize those members who significantly contribute to the successes and achievements of WEF through service to a WEF Community or the HOD. A Service Recognition Pin will be presented to each recipient in recognition of the honor.
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