Awards
Nominations for awards presented are at the PA-AWWA Annual Conference!
Abel Wolman Award
An award of excellence to recognize those whose career in the water works industry exemplify vision, creativity, and excellent professional performance characteristic of Abel Wolman’s long and productive career. The recipient of this award shall be exempt from paying membership dues.
Eligibility for the Award: To qualify for the award the nominee must be an individual member or a duly appointed representative for an organization member of the American Water Works Association. To be eligible for consideration the nominee must have established himself/herself in the water works profession through career performance spanning a minimum of 20 years. The nominee's work must exemplify vision, creativity, and excellence and must have had a recognizable impact on the professionalism of the industry.
Nomination and submission deadline: Nomination shall be submitted to info@paawwa.org by November 1.
AWWA Rising Tide Award
The Rising Tide award is given to the individual (AWWA members under the age of 35) in the Pennsylvania Section who has made or continues to make a significant contribution to the advancement of young professionals in the Section and/or to the advancement of the Section as a whole.
Nomination and submission deadline: Nominations shall be submitted to info@paawwa.org by February 15, 2025.
David A. Long Scholarship Award
Eligibility for the award: To qualify for the award, the nominee must be an Individual Member or a duly appointed representative of an organization member of the American Water Works Association. In the case of a posthumous award, the recipient must have been an AWWA member at the time of his/her death. Each section may make annual Fuller Award presentations equal to the number of Directors on the Association Board of Directors.
Nomination procedure: Any Section member may nominate an individual by submitting the completed entry form to the Section’s Fuller Award Committee. A “citation” or statement of the basis upon which the recommendation is made must be included. Citations should in general contain 40 words or less and be appropriate for introduction of the awardee at the Section’s award ceremony and the Fuller Society Breakfast held during the AWWA annual conference. Editorial adjustments in citations may be made as deemed necessary.
Nomination and submission deadline: Nominations shall be submitted to info@paawwa.org by February 15, 2025.
Fresh Ideas Poster Contest
The Pennsylvania Section of the American Water Works Association (PA-AWWA) is pleased to announce an opportunity for students and young professionals (YPs) to participate in the 2025 PA-AWWA Annual Conference and share the results of their work and/or academic programs. Selected posters will be judged based on poster content, appearance and discussions with a panel of judges. The top 3 winners will share in the distribution of $2,000 in award money. Also, the First Place winner will represent PA-AWWA at the AWWA National Annual Conference and Exhibition in conjunction with the National “Fresh Ideas” program. CONFERENCE REGISTRATION IS FREE FOR ALL STUDENTS PRESENTING A POSTER!!! We must have at least 3 contestants to have the Fresh Ideas Poster contest.
Click on the link above for additional details and application form.
2025 Information:
Application Deadline for the Fresh Ideas Poster Contest is March 28, 2025.
Submit completed application and abstract via e-mail to: Caitlin Cavanagh, Young Professional’s Committee Chair at: caitlin.cavanagh@aecom.com. Contact Caitlin Cavanagh with any additional questions: 908-239-5208 or caitlin.cavanagh@aecom.com.
George Warren Fuller Award
Eligibility for the award: To qualify for the award, the nominee must be an Individual Member or a duly appointed representative of an organization member of the American Water Works Association. In the case of a posthumous award, the recipient must have been an AWWA member at the time of his/her death. Each section may make annual Fuller Award presentations equal to the number of Directors on the Association Board of Directors.
Nomination procedure: Any Section member may nominate an individual by submitting the completed entry form to the Section’s Fuller Award Committee. A “citation” or statement of the basis upon which the recommendation is made must be included. Citations should in general contain 40 words or less and be appropriate for introduction of the awardee at the Section’s award ceremony and the Fuller Society Breakfast held during the AWWA annual conference. Editorial adjustments in citations may be made as deemed necessary.
Nomination and submission deadline: Nominations shall be submitted to info@paawwa.org by February 15, 2025.
Landmark Awards
To recognize and preserve an American, Canadian, or Mexican Water Landmark at least 50 years old that has had a direct and significant relationship with water supply, treatment, distribution, or technological development.
Eligibility for Award:
An American, Canadian, or Mexican Water Landmark must be a tangible, physical property that has or has had a direct and significant relationship with water’s supply, treatment, distribution, or technological development. It should be of a permanent and nonexpendable nature, such as a building, dam, reservoir, tower, etc., and not machinery or a natural water resource.
A water landmark must be at least 50 years old and be recognized within its own community or region as a popular, valued, or historically significant property. (Evidence of this recognition must be provided.)
It must be apparent that the Landmark candidate has been and will continue to be maintained in a manner appropriate to the status of an American, Canadian, or Mexican Water Landmark. (A clear, current, original photo of the candidate should be provided to demonstrate its condition.) The Landmark may be utilized in a manner other than its original purpose.
Nomination and submission deadline: Nominations must be submitted to info@paawwa.org by November 1 to be assured of receiving full consideration.
One AWWA Operator Scholarship
The One AWWA Operator Scholarship offers water and wastewater operators funding for continuing education, certification, training, and conference attendance through AWWA Water Equation’s partnership with local AWWA Sections. Scholarships are available throughout the year and payable to the educational institution. This scholarship is funded through the support of AWWA’s The Water Equation Campaign and the PA-AWWA. Applications are made directly to the National Association. Apply Now!
Application Deadline for One AWWA Operator Scholarship is: February 15, 2025.
Operators Meritorious Service Award
PA-AWWA is seeking nominations for the Operator’s Meritorious Service Award in recognition of special performance in one or more of the following:
Continuous compliance with all public health standards in treated drinking water.
- Consistent and outstanding contribution to plant maintenance thereby prolonging the useful life of equipment.
- The development of new and/or modified equipment or significant process modifications for more efficient and/or effective treatment.
- Special efforts in the training of treatment plant operators.
- Special acts not directly related to water treatment, but which demonstrate dedication to the public beyond normal operating responsibilities.
- Consistent and outstanding contributions to operation and/or maintenance of distribution lines, pump stations and storage facilities.
Any PA Section member may nominate another member by submitting the full name, address and biographical information of the nominee to the current PA-AWWA Vice-Chair or to info@paawwa.org. Nominations must be submitted no later than February 15, 2025.
Samuel S. Baxter Award
PA-AWWA is seeking nominations for the Samuel S. Baxter Award in recognition of outstanding personal service in the water supply field and in commemoration of leadership in the development of safe public water system facilities, the advancement of improved water supply practices and the promotion of a water works industry of high esteem and service to AWWA.
Any PA Section member may nominate another member by submitting the full name, address and biographical information of the nominee to the current PA-AWWA Vice-Chair or to info@paawwa.org. Nominations must be submitted no later than February 15, 2025.
Tenure Awards
AWWA honors significant membership tenure with the following awards. The recognition you receive builds with your years with the association.
To be eligible, you must meet the qualifications for each as detailed below:
- The Silver Water Drop is presented to members in recognition of 25 years of service to the American Water Works Association.
- The Gold Water Drop is presented to members in recognition of 50 years of service to the American Water Works Association.
- Life Membership is granted to members 65 years of age or older with thirty years of service to the American Water Works Association.