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North County Water and Wastewater Agencies Receive Statewide Award for Community Engagement
Today, Olivenhain Municipal Water District, San Elijo Joint Powers Authority, and Leucadia Wastewater District received California Water Environment Association’s statewide award for Community Engagement and Outreach Program of the Year. The award recognizes the success of the agencies’ 2025 Water Career Day.
The Water Career Day event brought together water and wastewater professionals, high school and community college students, and military veterans. Participants explored various career paths through interactive stations and demonstrations.
“We’re proud to receive this recognition for Water Career Day and to help shine a light on the rewarding careers available in the wastewater and water industry. Inspiring students today is key to building the skilled workforce needed to maintain our critical infrastructure that our communities will rely on well into the future,” noted Leucadia Wastewater District board president Matthew Brown.
“This recognition for Water Career Day 2025 reflects our commitment to the community and our staff, the unsung heroes that work at the San Elijo Water Campus making clean water a way of life,” said Luke Shaffer, board president of the San Elijo Joint Powers Authority. “By welcoming students and veterans, we’re encouraging the next generation to explore careers that protect public health and the environment.”
“OMWD is honored to be recognized statewide for Water Career Day,” said OMWD board secretary Christy Guerin. “The hands-on stations offered participants a unique glimpse into water industry jobs. This award-winning program encourages all public agencies to invest now in public service career education, helping to build a strong and dependable workforce for the future.”