Applications being accepted for WERF award for water, wastewater innovation

ALEXANDRIA, VA, Mar. 26, 2012 -- The Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF) is accepting applications for its Award for Excellence in Innovation. This award recognizes organizations that have made improvements to wastewater and stormwater collection, storage or treatment operations, facilities, or processes by applying WERF research. The 2011 recipients were the City of Los Angeles Bureau of Sanitation and a team composed of DC Water, Bucknell University, and Brown and Caldwell.

As the nation's largest water quality research organization dedicated to innovative research, collaborative relationships, and practical products, WERF seeks to recognize organizations that have demonstrated true excellence in innovation. The award is made for the organization itself, rather than the individuals responsible for the program development and implementation. This is because WERF recognizes that implementing change requires an organization's team of staff, researchers, and consultants to embrace and then implement an innovative improvement.

"The Award for Excellence in Innovation celebrates those organizations that have used WERF research to help achieve a goal," says WERF Executive Director Glenn Reinhardt. "It gives honorees an opportunity to proclaim their successes and provides some much-needed recognition and encouragement."

The Award for Excellence in Innovation is also a celebration of the implementability of the many WERF research products and tools. WERF wants to recognize the accomplishments of the wastewater utilities, stormwater utilities, consulting firms, industrial firms, equipment manufacturers, universities, and non-profit organizations that use WERF research to improve water quality. Examples of improvements might include: improved effluent water quality, improved biosolids management, significant reduction in facility operating costs or capital expenses, or any other measurable improvements that benefit customers or the environment.

Applicants may self-nominate or be nominated by a third party. Interested organizations must submit their application to WERF by June 1, 2012.

"Each application is reviewed by a team of recognized experts in the water quality field," says Reinhardt. "Honorees are publicly recognized through media releases, on the WERF website, at a special WERF event, and in their local communities."

More information on the Award for Excellence in Innovation, including the application process, is online at http://www.werf.org/awardforexcellence.

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