2021 Award Winners




Albert B. Herndon Award

Recognizes outstanding performance in industrial pretreatment

Stephen E. Brown

Environmental Stewardship Award for Odor Control

Manatee County Corrosion and Odor Control Program




Biosolids/Residuals Program Excellence, Technology Innovation and Development: North Port Utilities (NPU)

L.L. Hedgepeth Award

Recognizes outstanding industrial wastewater operator

Tom Strickland




Collection System Awards

Recognizes utilities for exceptional effort

  • Large: Collier County Water-Sewer District
  • Medium: City of Largo Preventative Maintenance Program
  • Small: Seminole Tribe of Florida – Big Cypress Reservation

Golden Manhole Society

Recognizes individuals that have made outstanding contributions to the art and science of Collection Systems operations

  • Oscar Bello, PE - Senior Project Manager with Stantec
  • Jamison Tondreault, PE - Project Manager with Kimley Horn

Leroy H. Scott Award

Exceptional contribution to FWEA by an operator awarded to a wastewater treatment plant operator 

Nathaniel Mastroeni

  • Utility Operations Manager for Town & Country Utilities serving the Babcock Ranch Community
  • Over 15 years of experience

Ralph H. Baker Award

Outstanding work in member recruitment honoring Ralph Baker who devoted his energy, wisdom, and humor for many years

Charles Tofferi

  • First Coast Chapter
  • University of Alabama graduate
  • Enjoys wood working and clay shooting





Young Professional of the Year

Manasi Parekh

  • Project Engineer with Ardurra in St. Augustine
  • Been with FWEA for over 5 years, starting as student member for First Coast Chapter in 2015

Public Education Award Thomas T. Jones Award

Melody Gonzalez

  • Project Enginer at Black & Veatch in Miami
  • Served as Student Coordinator and as Public Communication Chair for the South Chapter




David W. York Reuse Awards

Recognizes utilities who maintain exemplary Reuse Programs




    David W. York Reuse Project of the Year

    Lee County Utilities’ Fort Myers Beach Water Reclamation Facility Clear SCADA & Water Reuse Coordinator Program

    • System ensures customers stay in compliance with the rules and regulations
    • Fort Myers Beach WRF Staff works closely with customers to maintain and monitor the reuse sites utilizing "Clear SCADA" which gives feedback on tank/ pond level, pressure, auto valve position and flows.
    • Plant staff works to ensure additional flow/ pressures achieved for a customer's success





    1 to 5 MGD

    City of Winter Haven, Wastewater Treatment Plant #2 Master Reuse System

    5 to 10 MGD

    City of Pompano Beach Reuse Plant

    More than 10 MGD

    Seacoast Utility Authority PGA Wastewater Treatment Facility