During CWEA’s 2023 Annual Conference in San Diego we honored the Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA) as one of the original champions for the Advanced Water Treatment Operator™ certification program.
Support from their agency and team members in 2018-2019 directly led to this successful program. Sue Mosburg, CA-NV AWWA Executive Director, and Jenn Jones, CWEA Executive Director/CEO both presented the award to the team from IEUA.
Representatives from CA-NV AWWA and CWEA visited IEUA’s headquarters in Chino this February to also present the award to their Board of Directors (pictured above).
“It’s with great pride we stand before you today to present the Inland Empire Utilities Agency with the prestigious Advanced Water Treatment Champion Award,” said Chuck Greely, President of CWEA and a principal for Dudek Engineering, during February’s awards presentation in Chino. “As we peer into an uncertain future, one thing remains crystal clear: our region’s water supply hangs in the balance. IEUA’s visionary Chino Basin Program and the Advanced Water Purification Facility will help maximize every drop of water.”
We applaud IEUA’s unyielding dedication to navigating a complex regulatory landscape, managing intricate technical challenges, supporting staff training, and meticulous planning.
“The resounding success of the AWTO certification program shines through with the issuance of over 200 certifications,” noted Sue Mosburg, the Executive Director for the California-Nevada section of AWWA. “We are grateful for IEUA’s early support of the program, you have helped over 20 operators become AWTO certified and with us today, we are honored to have 11 Advanced Water Treatment Operators. We ask everyone to join us in celebrating their achievements.”
At the 2023 CWEA Awards Ceremony the AWTO Champions award was presented to IEUA. (l-r) CWEA President Chuck Greely; Scott Lening, IEUA’s Manager of Operations; Lucia Fuertez Diaz, IEUA’s Manager of Facility Water System Program; and Aimeé Kileen, WEF President Elect. Photo by Sal Ochoa.
Chino Basin Program
The Chino Basin Program is a multi-agency effort to construct an Advanced Water Purification Facility and groundwater injection facilities to maximize the use of recycled water.
It is a first-of-its-kind water program that moves beyond traditional water management practices to achieve new levels of water security, flexibility, and affordability. The CBP is led by IEUA and made possible through the collaboration and participation of its Regional Agencies and partners
About AWTO Certification
As California and Nevada seek to secure sustainable water resources, all of us working together allows us to rapidly build critical programs such as AWT Operator certification. We have issued 158 certifications so far, ensuring a steady supply of AWTO® professionals ready to serve their communities by operating advanced water treatment facilities.
Drinking water treatment, wastewater treatment, and water reuse operators with a Grade 3 or higher certification and working at facilities using advanced water treatment technologies may be interested in earning the new, voluntary AWTO Certification. AWT Operators protect public health by ensuring a safe and reliable supply of high-quality drinking water from advanced facilities. Learn more at awtoperator.org.