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Congratulations to the 2026 BCWWA Award Recipients!
May 20, 2026
Each year, we host an Awards Lunch at our Annual Conference and Trade Show to recognize the outstanding contributions of individuals and organizations across the water and wastewater sector.
We are honoured to celebrate those who demonstrate exceptional service and make meaningful contributions to the growth and success of their peers, the sector, and the BCWWA. In 2026, seven awards were presented across two categories.
INDUSTRY EXCELLENCE AWARDS
From groundbreaking innovations to continuously leading the industry, the Industry Excellence awards celebrate those shaping the future of water and wastewater in BC and the Yukon.
AWWA George Warren Fuller Award
On behalf of the American Waterworks Association (AWWA), we congratulate Brian Bedford, executive director at the BC Ministry of Housing & Municipal Affairs, for his leadership and distinguished service to the water sector. For more than 18 years, Brian has led the administration of provincial infrastructure funding programs for BC local governments and First Nations, while providing oversight of the local government financial system and supporting asset management and sustainable service delivery. His experience spans small- and large-scale public infrastructure projects across the province, including integrated resource recovery, natural asset pilot initiatives and climate resilience efforts.
Excellence and Innovation in the Water and Waste Industry Award
The BCWWA is pleased to recognize the Healthy Waters Planning Team at the City of Vancouver for their innovative work and excellence in the advancement of the water and wastewater industry. The Healthy Waters Planning Team at the City of Vancouver is a multidisciplinary group of planners and engineers comprised of City staff and partner consultants Brown and Caldwell, Kerr Wood Leidal and Raftelis. Working in partnership with the Musqueam Indian Band, Squamish Nation and Tsleil Waututh Nation, the team integrated technical input and traditional knowledge to inform watershed priorities, receptor mapping, and infrastructure strategies from the outset in 2020.
The Healthy Waters Plan establishes a new standard for long-term water and wastewater planning in British Columbia, guiding billions in infrastructure investment to support healthier, more resilient communities.
SERVICE TO THE BCWWA
The following service awards recognize individuals and organizations who have consistently and meaningfully contributed to the BCWWA over many years. Their ongoing contributions have enabled positive change in the delivery of the Association’s programs and services to their fellow members. Join us in celebrating their contributions through these awards.
WEF Bedell Award
The Water Environment Federation (WEF) is pleased to recognize Mike Gosselin of the City of Kelowna for his extraordinary personal service to the Member Association. Mike Gosselin has more than 40 years of experience in the wastewater sector and is a respected leader and advocate for operators and their profession.
Deeply committed to the industry, Mike volunteers with organizations such as BCWWA, the Water Environment Federation, Water Professionals International, and has trained operations staff across Canada, the United States and the Caribbean. He holds WWT IV, WWC II EOCP and WPI Professional Operator certifications.
Outstanding Contribution to the BCWWA: Stanley S. Copp Award
We recognize Freda Leong of Associated Engineering for her outstanding and continued service to the BCWWA. Freda has over 30 years of experience in the planning, management, assessment, design and construction of water and wastewater treatment, civil infrastructure, subdivisions and community buildings. She has been working with Indigenous communities since 2005.
Outstanding Contribution to the BCWWA: Young Professionals Award
The BCWWA congratulates Gordy Noel of Tetra Tech for his commitment and outstanding service to the Association. Gordy Noel is a hydrotechnical engineer-in-training with Tetra Tech Canada, working with the Water Resource & Infrastructure Team and is based in Vancouver. An active BCWWA member for five years, Gordy is deeply engaged in advancing the water and wastewater profession through volunteer service. He has contributed to several BCWWA committees, including the Drinking Water Technical Advisory Committee, Young Professionals Committee and Student Design Competition Committee. His involvement reflects a strong commitment to professional development, knowledge sharing and supporting the next generation of water professionals—while proudly being part of it himself.
Outstanding Contribution to the BCWWA: Group or Organization Award
This year’s award goes to the City of Coquitlam for their significant corporate contribution to the success of the BCWWA, including its support of programs like the Student Design Competition. The City of Coquitlam is committed to providing high-quality, reliable and sustainable water and wastewater services that support the community’s present and future needs. The city has been an active supporter of the BCWWA through staff participation in conference presentations, committees and communities of practice. BCWWA values its collaboration and partnership with us and the teams’ efforts to provide excellence in services for the Coquitlam community.
2026 BCWWA Student Design Competition
The BCWWA is thrilled to award this year’s Student Design Competition winners: Team BioWise Solutions from BCIT! The team, made up of Brian Castillo, Prabhkirat Singh, Alexander Reis, Benjamin Mendoza and Gianmarco Urbano, distinguished themselves with a thoughtful and innovative approach to developing a strategy for improving the water quality in the Fishtrap Creek watershed on behalf of the City of Abbotsford.
Their proposal demonstrated strong technical analysis, creativity and practical application of integrated water management principles. As winners of the BCWWA competition, Team BioWise Solutions will advance to the international stage, representing BCWWA and British Columbia, at the 2026 Water Environment Federation Technical Exhibition and Conference (WEFTEC) in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Congratulations again to all award recipients! Learn more about the 2027 BCWWA Awards nomination cycle.
