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Awards

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Here are just a few of the numerous honors and awards Vallecitos facilities, programs and staff members have earned over the years:

Transparency/Governance  

  • 2023 Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for fiscal year ending June 30, 2022.

  • 2022 Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for fiscal year ending June 30, 2021.

  • 2021 Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for fiscal year ending June 30, 2020.

  • 2020 Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for fiscal year ending June 30, 2019.

  • 2024 District of Distinction and District Transparency Certificate of Excellence from the Special District Leadership Foundation for outstanding efforts to promote a transparent, well governed public agency.   

  • 2021 District of Distinction and District Transparency Certificate of Excellence from the Special District Leadership Foundation for outstanding efforts to promote a transparent, well governed public agency.  

  • 2018 District of Distinction and District Transparency Certificate of Excellence from the Special District Leadership Foundation for outstanding efforts to promote a transparent, well governed public agency.  

  • 2016 District of Distinction accreditation from the Special District Leadership Foundation. Vallecitos is one of only 28 special districts, out of over 2,000 within the State of California, to obtain the "District of Distinction" recognition.)

Staff Awards

  • 2023 "Mechanical Technologist of the Year” (San Diego and State-wide award) from the  Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) for Senior Pump and Motor Technician, Dale Austin in recognition of outstanding performance, dedication to the job, and sharing knowledge of maintenance procedures.

  • 2023 "Excellence in Water Leadership Award" (State-wide award) from the  Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) for Operations Manager, Ed Pedrazzi, for his collaborative spirit and dedication to mentoring the next generation of water and wastewater professionals.

  • 2023 Third Place "PR, PIO and Trade Publications: Video Award" from the San Diego Press Club for creating Landscape Optimization Program video series. Awarded to Vallecitos' Public Affairs team: Alicia Yerman (videographer), Chris Robbins (Supervisor), and Lisa Urabe.

  • 2021 "Operator of the Year" Award from the California Water Environment Association for Senior Wastewater Treatment Plant Supervisor, Matt Wiese, for his outstanding contributions to the operations of wastewater treatment facilities and the application of knowledge to improve plant processes.

Mahr Reservoir

Collections system

  • 2023 "Collection System of the Year" (medium-sized agency) awards from the California Water Environment Association
    • Won the 1st place award from the San Diego section of CWEA
    • Won the 2nd place statewide award from the CWEA 

Meadowlark Water Reclamation Facility

  • 2021 Tertiary Recycled Water Plant of the Year - California Water Environment Association
    This award recognizes accomplishments in compliance, innovative practices, cost-effectiveness, and superior plant performance.

  • 2009 Award of Excellence – American Society of Civil Engineers.

  • 2008 Recycled Water Agency of the Year at the WateReuse Association's 2009 California Section Annual Conference, attributed in part to the upgrade that took place between 2005- 2008 that more than doubled output capacity from 2.25 to 5.0 million gallons per day.

  • 1994 Plant of the Year – California Water Environment Association

Linda Vista East Sewer Project

  • 2016 Project of the Year - American Water Works Association San Diego – Imperial Counties Chapter.

  • 2016 Award of Merit Civil Engineering Project from the American Society of Civil Engineers San Diego Section. 

San Elijo Hills Pump Station

Twin Oaks Reservoir No. 2

  • 2010 Engineering Excellence Merit Award 
    by American Council of Engineering Companies.
     
  • December, 2009 Clean/Green Technology Nominee
    by the San Marcos Chamber of Commerce, San Diego North Economic Development Council.
     

  • Project Achievement Award presented by the Construction Management Association of America (San Diego Public Works).
     

  • 2008 Project of the Year in the State of California for the 40 Million Gallon Twin Oaks Reservoir No. 2 by ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers) Section 9.
     
  • 2008 Excellence in Engineering Awards Program for Special Use Structures for the 40 Million Twin Oaks Reservoir No. 2 awarded by the Structural Engineers Association of California.
     
  • 2007 Outstanding Civil Engineering Project for the 40 million Twin Oaks Reservoir No. 2 from the San Diego Section of American Society of Civil Engineers.
     
  • 2007 – Big Tank Award- Twin Oaks Reservoir No. 2 from the San Diego International Chapter of American Concrete Institute.
     
  • 2004 Project of the Year in the State of California for the 40 million gallon Twin Oaks Reservoir No. 2 by ASCE. 

North San Diego Water Reuse Coalition

  • 2016 Golden Watchdog Finalist from the San Diego County Taxpayers Association for expanding water reuse in North County. (Vallecitos is one of ten water and wastewater agencies that form this coalition.)     

Land Outfall

  • 2005 Project of the Year for slipline underneath Interstate 5 presented by the American Public Works Association San Diego Imperial Counties Chapter.

Solar Port Project

  • 2008 Excellence in Energy Conservation by the SDGE Sempra Energy Company “Go Green Save Green” for leadership and participating in the region’s demand response programs which are designed to conserve energy resources and maintain energy reliability.    
    •  
  • 2005 50 Years of Service to the Water Industry for 50 years of support of the programs and goals of the American Water Works Association.

Education and Outreach

  • 2012 Golden Watchdog Finalist from San Diego County Taxpayers Association for Public/Private Partnership with the City of San Marcos and Bushman USA to distribute free rain barrels to San Marcos residents to conserve water and reduce storm water pollution.
     
  • 2008 Outstanding Outreach Participation by recognition for outreach participant as the top agency in the Association of California Water Agencies’ Region 10 Building Relationships Achieving Results Leadership Advocacy Information.

Information Technology

  •  2023 Award for Achievement – Information Technology Practices by the Municipal Information Systems Association of California for meeting or surpassing local government standards in technology.

  • 2022 Award for Achievement – Information Technology Practices by the Municipal Information Systems Association of California for meeting or surpassing local government standards in technology.

Architecture

  • 2008 Orchid Award - The District's Administrative offices won this award which honors the best of San Diego County's planned and built environments.

Safety

  • 2021 "President's Special Recognition Award - Association of California Water Agencies Joint Powers Insurance Authority (ACWA JPIA) for the District's Worker's Compensation, Property and Liability Programs (3 awards).

  • 2005 Safety Award - presented to management and employees in recognition of safety achievement from American Water.

Sustainable Demonstration Garden