2026

Hesperia Subregional wins CWEA Tertiary Plant of the Year

Sacramento, CA, April 8, 2026 VVWRA's Hesperia Subregional Water Reclamation Facility was named the Tertiary Plant of the Year for California by the California Water Environment Association (CWEA). The Hesperia Subregional is a 1 million-gallon-per-day (MGD) water recycling plant that provides the City of Hesperia with clean recycled water for irrigation and landscaping. No solids are treated at the facility. On April 21, the Hesperia City Council recognized VVWRA's achievement.   A huge thank you to the Hesperia City Council for the recognition, and a massive shout-out to our dedicated team whose hard work keeps these facilities running at award-winning levels every day.

 

Sr. Operator Miguel Mendoza named CWEA Operator of the Year

Sacramento, CA, April 8, 2026; Sr. Operator Miguel Mendoza was named the CWEA's Operator of the Year. This is a statewide honor. Miguel’s recognition as Operator of the Year is a testament to his technical mastery, and his "cool under pressure" approach to complex systems makes him a cornerstone of our success. This prestigious award recognizes the "best of the best" in our industry. Miguel holds a Grade V Operator certification, the highest available.

"Miguel’s ability to troubleshoot the most complex systems while consistently mentoring our junior operators is what truly sets him apart. He doesn't just keep the wastewater moving; he raises the standard for everyone around him," said VVWRA General Manager Darron Poulsen.

We are equally proud of E & I Technician Jordan Rodriguez for placing 3rd for Young Professional of the Year. This honor highlights Jordan’s rising talent and commitment to the future of the water environment profession.

VVWRA Honored with National “Community Water Champion” Award from WateReuse

Los Angeles, March 9, 2026 -The Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority (VVWRA) has been named a recipient of the National Community Water Champion award by the WateReuse Association. The award was presented to VVWRA General Manager Darron Poulsen during a ceremony in Los Angeles today. This national recognition highlights VVWRA’s outstanding leadership in water recycling, resource recovery, and environmental stewardship.

 As the High Desert’s primary administrator and largest producer of recycled water, VVWRA has been at the forefront of sustainable infrastructure. This award specifically recognizes the Authority’s commitment to innovative wastewater reclamation and energy-efficient operations that safeguard the region’s water supply.

"This honor from WateReuse reflects the dedication of our entire team to advancing sustainable water use," said Poulsen. "By transforming a waste stream into a valuable resource, we are ensuring a more resilient and water-secure future for the High Desert and generations to come."

The award follows a landmark year for VVWRA, which recently secured multiple honors from the California Water Environment Association (CWEA), including "Tertiary Plant of the Year" titles for its Hesperia Water Reclamation Facility and Operator of the Year for Senior Operator Miguel Mendoza. VVWRA’s main plant in Victorville took third place in the Plant of the Year competition while E & I Technician Jordan Rodriguez was third in the Outstanding Young Professional category.

Through strong community partnerships and a focus on cutting-edge technology—such as the conversion of biogas to renewable natural gas—VVWRA continues to lead the way in protecting local water resources while maintaining a gold standard of operational excellence.

 

2025 

VVWRA named Utility of the Future Today 

VVWRA has been honored with the Water Resources Utility of the Future Today Award at the 2025 WEFTEC Conference in Chicago. The award recognizes exceptional performance in the recovery of resources, including recycled water and energy in the form of renewable natural gas. “We are honored to be recognized as a Utility of the Future Today”, said VVWRA General Manager Darron Poulsen. “This award reflects the innovation, dedication, and teamwork of our partners, our member agencies, and our employees, who work every day to protect the environment, serve our community, and prepare for the future of water.”
VVWRA treats and recycles 12 million gallons of wastewater every day and recovers methane gas from the co-digestion of biosolids and industrial food waste. The methane is converted into renewable natural gas (RNG) by our partner Anaergia Inc. and then injected directly into a Southwest Gas pipeline for commercial distribution. VVWRA is one of only a few waste recovery facilities in the country that is co-digesting food waste with municipal sewage to produce sustainable green energy in the form of RNG.

VVC Salutes Partnership with VVWRA

VVWRA was recently honored by Victor Valley College with an Excellence in Partnership Award. The award was presented to VVWRA General Manager Darron Poulsen by VVC President Dr. Daniel Walden. This spring, Poulsen and other partners will begin offering water and wastewater treatment classes at VVC, empowering students to earn industry certifications and access to rewarding career opportunities.

 

 

 

VVWRA captures 7 awards at DAMS Banquet 

VVWRA and its staff won 7 awards at the 2024 CWEA DAMS Awards Banquet in Helendale. It was one of the largest wins for VVWRA in recent history, and all the winners will now be considered for the statewide awards, which will be presented in April in Palm Springs. Among the VVWRA winners was Sr. Operator Johnny Bustos, who won Operator of the Year; Maintenance Mechanic Mike Koncur, who won Mechanical Technician of the Year; and E & I Technician Craig Taylor, who won the Electronic Instrumentation Person of the Year award. In addition, Environmental Compliance Inspector Daniel Enriquez was named P3S Person of the Year (P3S=pretreatment, pollution prevention, and stormwater), IT Technician Michael Medina won the award for Young Professional of the Year, and Asset Management Technician Bradley Doneff won the Administrative Person of the Year. VVWRA also took home the Engineering Achievement Award for the extensive improvements and upgrades to our PLC’s, computer network, and system security. Each local award winner will be submitted to the California Water Environment Association for statewide recognition.
The theme of this year’s CWEA DAMS Awards Banquet was Ugly Holiday Sweaters. VVWRA’s Mike Koncur not only won Mechanical Technician of the Year but also took third place in the ugly sweater contest. 
DAMS is the desert and mountain section of the CWEA. It is the largest geographical section stretching from Big Bear, Lake Arrowhead, and Crestline, through the Victor Valley and Barstow, and all the way up to Mammoth. The mission of DAMS is to provide training and mentoring opportunities for those in the wastewater industry.

VVWRA wins two CWEA awards 

VVWRA won two awards at the 2024 CWEA state convention in Sacramento. VVWRA's Renewable Natural Gas project received the Engineering Achievement Award while Environmental Compliance Manager Latif Laari was named Supervisor of the Year.

 

2023

VVWRA staff win 2 awards at CWEA/DAMS Banquet

VVWRA captured two awards at the 2023 CWEA Desert and Mountain Section 

Awards ceremony. HR Technician Toni Henning was named Administrative Person of the Year. She was recognized for excellence in providing and supporting human resources programs and policies at VVWRA. Environmental Compliance Manager Latif Laari won Supervisor of the Year for the leadership he provides our staff. The annual awards ceremony was held in Silver Lakes. Winners of the statewide awards will be announced in April. CWEA is the California Water Environment Association, which provides training, certifications, and support for wastewater agencies throughout the state.

VVWRA wins Exemplar Award from MDAQMD

 The Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District recognized VVWRA’s RNG program with its Exemplar Award for our commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The award was presented to Poulsen by MDAQMD Chair Kari Leon and Executive Director Brad Poiriez.

 

 

 

VVWRA RNG Project Wins CASA Award

The Renewable Natural Gas project at Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority has won an Award of Excellence in Innovation and Resiliency from the California Association of Sanitation Agencies. The award was presented to VVWRA General Manager Darron Poulsen at CASA’s annual conference in San Diego on August 10, 2023.  The award recognizes VVWRA’s RNG project for its innovative application of technology in the wastewater field. “We are honored to be recognized by our peers for the innovative work we are doing here", said Poulsen. “The RNG project is a showcase of how public agencies can work together with utilities and private companies to help resolve significant environmental challenges.”

 

RNG Project Wins Global Water Award

The state-of-the-art co-digestion and biogas upgrading facility at Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority has won the Global Water Award for Wastewater Project of the Year.

The announcement was made on May 9^th during an award ceremony in Berlin, Germany.  The project is a public-private partnership between VVWRA, SoCal Biomethane, a subsidiary of Anaergia Inc., and Southwest Gas. The facility collects methane from the co-digestion of food waste and

 municipal sewage and converts it into renewable natural gas (RNG). The project, which was commissioned in 2022, treats 235,000 tons a year of food waste and biosolids, collecting 320,000 Mmbtu of biomethane, which is converted into RNG. The RNG is then injected into a Southwest Gas pipeline for commercial distribution. It is North America’s largest privately financed co-digestion-to-biomethane project for pipeline injection at a wastewater treatment plant. 

By co-digesting off-site waste, the plant makes VVWRA a regional leader in waste reduction, extending its impact beyond its own wastewater responsibilities. The renewable disposal of food waste has become increasingly in demand with the passage of California’s SB 1383, which requires 75% of organic materials, such as food waste, to be diverted from landfills. 

VVWRA GM Inducted into VVC Alumni Hall of Fame

VVWRA General Manager Darron Poulsen was inducted into the Victor Valley College Alumni Hall of Fame on February 25, 2023.

(L-r) Fred Hunter, President of VVC Foundation, Coleen Quinn, Y-102 Air Personality, Darron Poulsen, VVWRA General Manager, Dr. Daniel Walden, Victor Valley College President.

Watch Darron's acceptance speech.

2022 

VVWRA wins CWEA photo contest

This photo, taken by VVWRA's David Wylie, won first place in the 2022 CWEA photo contest. It shows E & I Technician Derek Evans and E & I Intern Adalberto Arteaga working on equipment at a percolation pond.

 

2021

VVWRA Wins Six 2021 DAMS Awards

Craig Taylor	Richard Swatzell	Miguel Mendoza
Research Award accepted by GM Darron Poulsen	Engineering Award accepted by EC Inspector Robert Townsend	Anne Mazzarella

 VVWRA took home six awards at the 2021 DAMS Awards Ceremony. E & I Technician Craig Taylor won Electrical Technician of the Year. Maintenance Mechanic Richard Swatzell won Mechanical Technician of the Year. Senior Operator Miguel Mendoza won Operator of the Year. Accounting Technician Anne Mazzarella won Administrative Support Person of the Year. VVWRA also won an award, the Engineering Achievement Award for the Desert Knolls Wash Replacement Project and the Research Achievement Award for the Interceptor Risk Analysis. 

 

2021

Four VVWRA  Employees win 2020 DAMS Awards
Latif Laari	Derek Evans	Kristi Casteel	Robert Townsend

(January 2021) Four VVWRA staff members were honored with regional awards from the Desert and Mountain Section of the California Water Environment Association. Business Applications Manager Latif Laari won Supervisor of the Year, E & I Technician Derek Evans won E & I Person of the Year, Environmental Compliance Inspector Robert Townsend won PS3 Person of the Year and Kristi Casteel was named Administrative Support Person of the Year.

2020 

VVWRA Wins Award of Excellence from Victor Valley Chamber of Commerce

(December 2020) VVWRA was honored to win the Victor Valley Chamber of Commerce Award of Excellence. VVWRA was recognized for its work in protecting public health and the environment, while working with Victor Valley College and local high schools to help educate our youth. General Manager Darron Poulsen accepted the award on behalf of our staff.

2019 

VVWRA's Marcos Avila named 2019 Maintenance Technician of the Year

VVWRA's Marcos Avila has been named CWEA's Mechanical Technician Person of the Year! Marcos was selected from applicants across the state! Marcos and his team of mechanics are responsible for installing equipment and making repairs to our plant.