MSWD Earns Top Honors from Regional California Water Environment Association
Jeremy M. from DHS High School REAL Academy receives congratulations and an award from CORBS Leadership during Saturday’s event. Photo Courtesy of MSWD.)
DESERT HOT SPRINGS — Mission Springs Water District took home four awards, including Community Engagement & Outreach Project of the Year, Operator of the Year, Collection System Person of the Year, and the Outstanding Young Professional Award, during a special ceremony hosted by the California Water Environment Association and its Colorado River Basin Section Saturday.
Desert Hot Springs High School REAL Academy student and MSWD Intern Jeremy Minjarez was named the 2024 Outstanding Young Professional. As part of the MSWD internship program, Jeremy received hands-on training in various tasks wastewater employees handle daily. According to his supervisor Interim Chief Plant Operator Andy Grunnet, “He excelled and showed enthusiasm for everything he learned, including maintaining the wastewater treatment plant, collecting samples, conducting lab tests, sludge dewatering and removal, managing effluent discharge, and maintaining the collections system.”
Minjarez also offered assistance and volunteered to help with events, and he spoke about his experience as an intern at MSWD and the ongoing partnership with the REAL Academy during our ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Nancy Wright Regional Water Reclamation Facility.
MSWD also took home top honors for Community Engagement & Outreach Project of the Year (small plant category) for the Nancy Wright Regional Water Reclamation Facility, as well as Operator of the Year (Joey McElrone), and Collections System Person of the Year (Grant Fournier).
Founded in 1928, CWEA unites wastewater professionals from throughout the state. Together, they address real-time issues, develop and deliver cutting-edge training, raise awareness of the profession, and shape the future of wastewater.
Since 1989, MSWD and its staff have won 42 Colorado River Basin Section CWEA awards, including nine personal awards and 16 plant of the year honors. For a list of MSWD awards, visit MSWD Awards.
