California Awards of Excellence
Each year, WateReuse California recognizes agencies, customers, and individuals that have demonstrated exceptional leadership in advancing water recycling in California. The membership nominates potential award winners each year and awards are presented during a ceremony at the Annual Conference.
Award Categories
Please review the following award descriptions before submitting a nomination.
Bahman Sheikh Award for Vision in Water Reuse

The Bahman Sheikh Award for Vision in Water Reuse is awarded to a municipal, industrial, or agricultural sector individual or select group that significantly advances reuse in California by identifying new opportunities to reuse water, expanding existing applications, and/or amplifying the benefits of water recycling through integrated regional planning. This award highlights the importance of understanding the value of recycled water as the cornerstone of a resilient, sustainable, local water supply, and recognizes those who share their vision of reuse in order to create innovative and inspiring programs.
Recycled Water Agency of the Year
These three awards recognize agencies that have developed recycled water, on a significant level, as an alternative water source within their service area, regionally, or statewide. The recipients will have demonstrated leadership, creativity and persistence in developing a comprehensive program, as well as outreach to the community to expand awareness and implementation of water recycling.
- Small – beneficial reuse less than 1,000 AFY
- Medium – beneficial reuse between 1,000 and 5,000 AFY
- Large – beneficial reuse greater than 5,000 AFY
Recycled Water Outreach/ Education Program
This award pays tribute to an agency that demonstrates a significant and wide-reaching community outreach and/or public education program that informs the community about the presence and benefits of recycled water as an alternative water source. The recipient will have demonstrated leadership, creativity, and persistence in developing a comprehensive community outreach/public education program. In addition, the recipient will have demonstrated how the program has garnered an enhanced appreciation, support, promotion, and use of recycled water on a local or regional level.

Recycled Water Advocate of the Year
This award honors an individual, interagency coalition, or private group who has made a significant contribution to the advancement of water recycling through the active support and promotion of recycled water on a local, regional, or state level. The recipient will have demonstrated outstanding leadership, and dedication to the promotion and use of recycled water beyond what would be professionally expected.
Recycled Water Customer of the Year
This award recognizes a recycled water user (customer) who has advanced the acceptance of water reuse through unique applications of recycled water and/or innovative marketing. The recipient will be a high profile customer that has demonstrated how recycled water benefits the public and contributes to its business services.
Recycled Water Staff Person of the Year
This award recognizes an individual that works in operations, customer service, maintenance, engineering or other department related to an agency’s recycled water program and who has shown a dedication to the success of their program. This individual may have contributed an innovative solution to a problem, gone beyond routine job requirements, persevered through some difficulties, or achieved some other extraordinary success with the recycled water program