Big Bear, Ca, October 29, 2010, 12:00pm – Over the past few years the agency and staff of the Big Bear Area Regional Wastewater Agency has received numerous awards from the California Water Environment Association (CWEA). The CWEA is a not-for-profit association of more than 9,000 professionals in the wastewater industry. They are committed to keeping California’s water clean. They train and certify wastewater professionals, disseminate technical information, and promote sound policies to benefit society through protection and enhancement of our water environment. The Agency is a member of the local Desert and Mountain Section of the CWEA, which includes Big Bear, Running Springs, Lake Arrowhead, Crestline, Banning and Beaumont.
The individual awards focus on recognizing the employee’s outstanding efforts in the relating field, such as level of certifications, beneficial contributions to the facility, knowledge, willingness to accept additional responsibility, and performance under abnormal conditions. The treatment plant awards focus on items such as staff certification levels, facility accomplishments, permit compliance, process control strategies, Biosolids process, training and safety, public relations, energy conservation, innovative process control concepts, and maintenance efficiency.
In 2010 the agency and staff received the following award in the Desert and Mountain Section of CWEA:
Brent Berg- Operator of the Year
In 2009 the agency applied for 10 awards in the Desert and Mountain Section of CWEA and received a total of 7; there are as follows:
Nikki Flores- Outstanding Young Professional of the year, which rates the employee on relevant work experience, willingness to go above and beyond, and leadership skills.
Nikki Flores- Laboratory Person of the Year
Drew Ryan- Mechanical Technician of the Year
Bob Sellards- Electrical Technician of the Year
Jeremy Sweeney- Operator of the Year
Fred Uhler- Supervisor of the Year
BBARWA Treatment Plant- Engineering Achievement, for the Cannibal Solids Reduction System upgrade.
The agency staff is also involved with numerous local activities such as “Boo in the Zoo”. This year the agency entered into the first annual “Outhouse Race”, the team took first place. The team received a cash award for winning and donated their winnings to the Bear Valley School District.