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The RMSAWWA Awards Committee is excited to introduce you to our 2024 Award winners!
Our industry works because of those individuals and teams that work together to achieve excellence.
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ALICE DARILEK WATER CONSERVATION AWARD
Diane Block - Colorado Springs Utilities
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The Alice Darilek Award is to recognize an outstanding contributor to the water conservation field within the Rocky Mountain Section of the American Water Works Association. It's named in honor of Alice Darilek, whose dedicated work in New Mexico helped water conservation efforts throughout the region. The award is given annually to recognize a water conservation professional for exceptional performance and commitment to water conservation in the region..
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Diane helped create some of the most exceptional programming that Colorado Springs Utilities offers today. Her program design is progressive, supplies consistent results and supports customers who otherwise would not be engaged in water conservation.
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RALPH M. LEIDHOLDT
OUTSTANDING WTP OPERATOR
Jeff Owens - City of Louisville
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This award is to recognize an outstanding water treatment plant operator within the Rocky Mountain Section of American Water Works Association. It's awarded annually to recognize a water treatment plant operator for exceptional performance, dedication and teamwork.
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Jeff is the Interim Wastewater Treatment Supervisor for the City of Louisville.
He was instrumental in the efforts to provide water for firefighters during the Marshall Fire. He was onsite when the fire began, evacuated himself and others onsite to safety, then willingly went back into the active fire area to help supply water to the towns of Superior and Louisville. During all of this, he kept his upbeat attitude and helped encourage his colleagues to stay positive even during the toughest of circumstances.
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OUTSTANDING WTP MAINTENANCE AWARD
Nicholas Yarish, Denver Water
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| Given in recognition of an outstanding water treatment plant maintenance professional for exceptional performance, dedication, and teamwork.
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Nick is the supervisor of the asset management team overseeing the South System.
Nick's leadership significantly contributed to key organizational successes, such as ensuring operational continuity during the pandemic, implementing changes in corrosion control treatment seamlessly, and addressing regulatory discrepancies with a structured management program that restored confidence in the organization.
Furthermore, his focus on team development and mentorship has led to tangible improvements, notably in the growth of leadership among team members within the maintenance field.
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OUTSTANDING WATER LABORATORY
Aurora Water Quality Control Laboratory
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| This award is to recognize an outstanding water laboratory within the Rocky Mountain Section of American Water Works Association. It is awarded annually to recognize a water laboratory for exceptional performance, dedication and teamwork. |
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Select accomplishments include:
•Successfully moving the lab to a new location while maintaining normal operations and overcoming challenges and hardships the occurred during that time.
•Analyzed over 2000 samples from a creative immersion test for alkalinity, pH, chlorine, lead, and copper in support of the Wemlinger WTP upgrade to utilize CO2 to increase alkalinity.
•The laboratory is on track to be certified for PFAS by EPA Method 533 in July 2024. The UPLC/MS/MS is a new technology for the Lab, requiring Solid-Phase Extraction (SPE) which is a new technique for the lab as well.
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OUTSTANDING WATER TREATMENT PLANT (Large)
San Juan Chama Water Treatment Plant
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| This award is to recognize an outstanding treatment plant within the Rocky Mountain Section of American Water Works Association. It's awarded annually to recognize a water treatment plant for exceptional performance, dedication and teamwork.. |
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Starting in 2021, this plant received the President's Award for AWWA Partnership for Safe Water. Of the 146 Partnership for Safe Water criteria that apply to this plant, it has achieved the status of Optimized and Documented on 134 criteria or 92% of the 146 applicable criteria.
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WENDELL LADUE UTILITY SAFETY AWARD
City of Louisville
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| This award recognizes distinguished water utility safety programs. |
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STATE MEMBERSHIP AWARD
Wyoming
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Awarded for highest growth rate in state membership for the Section. |
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LYLE D. HERMAN AWARD
Rochelle Larson, Past Chair
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| Given in recognition of contributions of time and talent to RMSAWWA |
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OUTSTANDING COMMITTEE CHAIR AWARD
Dave Hoagland, Action Now Committee
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Given to recognize an outstanding committee chair
for their efforts on behalf of the Section
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SUE MIKKELSEN & KAREN C. BURGI CHAMPION OF DEI AWARD
Alex Sofranko, DEI Subcommittee
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