Awards and Research Posters
Accepting Submissions Now!
WateReuse Texas recognizes water agencies, businesses, recycled water users, and individuals that demonstrate innovation and leadership in advancing the practice, science, adoption, or public acceptance of water recycling.
We also accept reuse-related research posters for display at the conference. Posters must be reuse-related, and prizes will be awarded for first and second place. Proposals can be from students or non-students; however, only the student posters are eligible for the competition.
Award and research poster details can be found below. Award winners and poster selections will be notified at least one month prior to the conference.
Submissions are closed for #WRTX2024 but will be considered for #WRTX2025
Awards and Poster Details
Ed Archuleta Award
The Archuleta Award was created in 2013 and recognizes water reuse leaders who have made outstanding contributions in the field of water reuse within the State of Texas. Qualified nominees should be individuals who have significantly contributed to the advancement of water reuse in Texas through exceptional service and leadership in the reuse community and/ or innovation in technology, efficiency, or management related to water reuse, and/or leadership in the advancement of research and education in the reuse and water resources fields.
Reuse Impact Award
The Reuse Impact Award recognizes individuals, projects, facilities, or organizations that have made significant contributions to increase water reuse in Texas over the past three years. Award recipients exhibit leadership in advancing education, advocacy, technology, and/or management of water resources, showcasing innovative approaches that others can follow to build resilient communities through water recycling.
WRTX Poster Submissions
Posters should be an eye-catching, visual representation of research relating to reuse technology, financing or financial related, or other research topics with a maximum size of 34” x 22”.
Poster presenters must register and pay for the conference but can use the student rate of $25 if they are currently a student at a WateReuse Texas member organization.
There are two Best Student Poster Awards available for the first and second place winners of the student poster contest – $1000 for first place and $500 for second place. This contest is judged at the conference by volunteers from the WRTX Research Committee.
Vandertulip Best Presentation Award
The Vandertulip Award was established in 2019 to honor long-time WateReuse Texas contributor William “Don” Vandertulip, who helped shape many past WRTX Conference Programs. Don was a founding member of WRTX and served on our board in various roles, most notably as President from 2008-2010. The Vandertulip Best Presentation Award is selected via online vote by conference attendees and announced after the conference.
Past Award Winners
Ed Archuleta Award (established in 2013):
- 2013 Awardee: Ed Archuleta, El Paso Water
- 2014 Awardee: Alan Plummer, Plummer
- 2015 Awardee: Daniel Nix, City of Wichita Falls
- 2016 Awardee: David Sloan, Freese & Nichols
- 2018 Awardee: Dr. Ellen McDonald, Plummer
- 2019 Awardee: Marlo Berg, TCEQ Water Supply Division
- 2023 Awardee: Dr. Eva Steinle-Darling, Carollo Engineers
Reuse Impact Award (established in 2023):
- 2023 Awardee: Dr. Keisuke Ikehata, Texas State University
Vandertulip Presentation Award (established in 2019):
- 2023 Awardee: Angel Bustamante, El Paso Water
Student Poster Award:
- 2024 First Place: Peyton Torkelson, Texas State University
- 2024 Second Place: Anjumand Ashraf, Texas State University
- 2023 First Place: Luis Silva, Whitacre College of Engineering, Texas Tech University
- 2023 Second Place: Carlos Espindola, Ingram School of Engineering, Texas State University