This year’s AZ Water Conference and Exhibition  postponed from April is rescheduled for July as a virtual conference.

For 93 years, water professionals from across the state have gathered for the conference that advocates for Arizona’s water while connecting professionals, providing education and inspiring environmental stewardship, according to a press release on the annual event

Part of the yearly conference is the AZ Water Awards to celebrate professionals who demonstrated excellence in the Arizona water and wastewater industry, the release said, noting how excited Scottsdale Water is to celebrate the achievement despite winners being unable to get their awards in person.

Water quality director, Suzanne Grendahl, City of Scottsdale worker since January 1999, was recognized with the Environmental Stewardship Award for her work as the “driving force behind a long list of environmental and water quality initiatives,” according to the release.

Recently, she led the city’s landmark achievement of obtaining Scottsdale Water’s Direct Potable Reuse Permit, which is the first DPR permit in Arizona and only the third in the nation.

Responsible for creating and expanding the city’s "state-of-the-art water quality laboratory" at the Scottsdale Water Campus, she is noted as the city’s liaison with the US EPA  and the participating companies regarding the North Indian Bend Wash Superfund site, ensuring the impacted aquifer is restored and the clean water put to local beneficial use, detailed the release.

Capital Project Management Construction Supervisor Jon Hughes was awarded the Construction Professional of the Year Award for his significant contribution to the industry and the residents and businesses of Scottsdale.

Scottsdale Water has more than 90 active water and sewer construction projects with a value over $40 million, which he and his inspection team oversee.

Mr. Hughes’ efforts, according to the release, have assured the city that the quality of construction meets Scottsdale’s high standards.

“Both Suzanne and Jon are extremely deserving of these prestigious awards,” said Scottsdale Water Executive Director Brian K. Biesemeyer in a prepared statement.

“Their dedication to serving the Scottsdale community exemplifies Scottsdale Water’s vision of Water Sustainability through Stewardship, Innovation and People.”

Eight Scottsdale Water facilities and work teams were also recognized with awards of honor and merit "for operating over one year without losing a single workday (Honor) or not more than one day (Merit) due to injury," added the release.

Achievements by the Scottsdale Water Distribution System and Wastewater Collections teams, the Water Reclamation Plant, Gainey Ranch Wastewater Treatment Facility, the Advanced Water Treatment plant, the Central Groundwater Treatment Facility and the CAP and Chaparral Water Treatment Plants were noted.

“Safety is of paramount importance at Scottsdale Water,” said Mr. Biesemeyer.

“We are committed to not only providing safe water and sewer services for our customers, but also to ensuring the safety of the men and women who provide these essential services to the community 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Our operations personnel work in a variety of difficult environments and working safely in these conditions reflects not only on our programs but on the professionalism of our staff.”