During its annual conference and awards ceremony, WateReuse California recognized two Orange County Water District (OCWD) staff members with awards for exceptional leadership in advancing water recycling in California.
General manager Michael Markus received the President’s Award and principal Engineer Benjamin Smith received the Recycled Water Staff Person of the Year Award.
“We are proud to have a general manager like Mike lead the District’s professional staff in developing innovative water reuse programs, such as the world-renowned Groundwater Replenishment System, and congratulate him on receiving this honor,” said OCWD President Steve Sheldon.
During his 33-year career at the District, Mike was responsible for managing the implementation of the Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS) program, which first began operating in 2008. It is undergoing its final expansion which will be able to treat 100 percent of the region’s wastewater, produce 130 million gallons a day of pure drinking water, and serve one million people daily when it is complete in 2023.
Mike’s dedication to recycled water programs is reflected in the achievements that the GWRS has attained over the years, including being known as the world’s largest advanced water purification system for indirect potable reuse and pioneering reverse osmosis technology for water reuse. Additionally, Mike remains committed to serving in many industry organizations where he shares information, insights and best practices with agencies across the globe.
Currently, Mike serves on the board of directors of the Water Research Foundation, the National Water Research Institute, American Water Works Association and the California Section of the WateReuse Association.
Under Mike’s leadership, OCWD also manages the Green Acres Project (GAP), which became the nation’s first landscape irrigation wastewater treatment plant when it became operational in 1991. GAP is a water reuse program that provides recycled water for landscape irrigation at parks, schools and golf courses; and industrial uses such as carpet dying, toilet flushing and power generation cooling.
Much of the program is overseen by OCWD principal engineer Ben Smith, who supports the GAP program from operations, service and repairs, end-users, rules and regulations, accounting, and more.
“Congratulations to Ben for being recognized as Recycled Water Staff Person of the Year. I appreciate Ben’s hard work and perseverance in supporting the district’s recycled water programs,” added Sheldon.
SOURCE: Orange County Water District
