Gaston to Receive Water Industry Honor
The American Water Works Association has selected John Gaston, a 25-year employee of CH2M Hill, to receive the Abel Wolman Award of Excellence.
This is the association's premier award, recognizing those whose careers in the water profession exemplify vision, creativity, and excellent professional performance characteristic of Abel Wolman, Ph.D. Wolman's contributions to the water industry defined the development of the engineering profession, most notably in the public health aspects of engineering.
According to the AWWA Board of Directors, Gaston was chosen because of his "career defined by excellent professional performance, dedication to public health, and the creation of partnerships between utilities, regulators, and the people they serve." The board recognized his ability to bring people together for improved water quality and public health and his skill and creativity as a teacher and mentor of small water systems and young professionals.
Gaston is a vice president and senior consultant for water quality and treatment in CH2M Hill's Oakland, Calif. office. He has nearly 40 years of sanitary engineering experience in public health issues involving water supply, water quality, water resources, and wastewater reclamation, and reuse. He has a comprehensive background in developing and implementing laws and regulations related to drinking water and reclaimed wastewater, including the California Safe Drinking Water Act and reauthorization of EPA's Federal Safe Drinking Water Act. He is an expert in developing and implementing drinking water regulations.
He will receive the award at AWWA's annual conference on June 9 in Atlanta, Ga.