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Ask any of the California Water Environment Association’s 10,000 wastewater professionals to name their “favorite annual industry award” and you’re sure to hear about CWEA’s own annual award ceremony. 

For so many essential workers in our field, the honors CWEA hands out each year are welcome recognition for excellence across the state’s wastewater systems. 

But there are also awards presented within the many sections that make up CWEA. 

CWEA is made up of 17 sections divided between the Northern and Southern Regions. The City of Santa Ana’s water resources division is part of the Santa Ana River Basin Section, or SARBS, one of seven sections here in the Southern Region. 

SARBS has its own awards and in 2019 our Santa Ana team entered the competition for the first time. Last June, when the winners were announced, we were honored as “Best Medium Size Sewer Collection System.” 

The awards are as serious as the work they honor. A panel of expert judges bases its decision on how each system complies with the many regulations governing environmental safeguards, safety, and the quality of staff training (both basic knowledge and ability to use the various tools required for their work). 

They look at our fleet vehicles and other equipment, checking to see how well we use modern technology to deliver our services. They also look at our management team to evaluate our financial management as well as how we operate our sewer system. 

We thank the SARBS judges for the honor. The plaque we received proudly hangs in our offices, signifying that Santa Ana is a leading steward of our environment.